The AA1000 Assurance Standard requires us to make a statement with respect to our independence of Novo Nordisk A/S and our qualifications for undertaking the assurance engagement. The scope, the basis of opinion, our conclusions and recommendations are presented in our assurance statement for Novo Nordisk A/S’ Annual Report 2005.
Qualifications
Our assurance team possesses the requisite skills and experience within financial and non-financial assurance, sustainability management, social and environmental issues as well as knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry to undertake this assignment. Our assurance team has been drawn from our Sustainable Business Solutions team, which comprises individuals with educational and professional backgrounds within e.g. financial and non-financial auditing and reporting, environmental engineering and management, corporate sustainability management, communication, business, the natural sciences and the social sciences, as well as individuals from our financial audit services department.
Independence
As financial auditors of Novo Nordisk A/S we are required to meet the independence requirements of international professional standard setting and national regulatory bodies. In addition, PricewaterhouseCoopers’ own Global Independence Policy, which in some areas exceeds those of international professional standard setting and regulatory bodies, is applicable to the firm, the partners and its professional staff, including all members of the assurance team. In general, we conduct business without any financial interests in, or personal or business relationships with, our audit clients and their affiliates.
Copenhagen, 26 January 2006 PricewaterhouseCoopers Statsautoriseret Revisionsinteressentselskab
