Independence statements
Declaration of independence and qualifications
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 and our conclusions are presented in our assurance statement for Novo Nordisk A/S’ Annual Report 2006. Our recommendations are reported as part of the online report.
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 practice, 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.
The Sustainable Business Solutions team consisted of:
- Mr Lars Holtug, state authorised public accountant, engagement leader
- Mr Mogens Nørgaard Mogensen, state authorised public accountant
- Mr Thomas Scheiwiller, Dr. Sc. Nat., engagement leader
- Mr Peder Michael Pruzan-Jørgensen, M. Sc. in International Business Administration, engagement manager
- Ms Jane Wenzel Østergaard, M. Sc. in Chemistry, environmental specialist
- Mr Jens Pultz Pedersen, M. Sc. In Environmental Engineering, environmental specialist
- Mr Kristian Heydenreich, M. Sc. in Social Geography, health and safety expert
- Mr Eric S. Howe, B. Sc. in Environmental Management and ISO 14001 certified lead auditor
- Ms Annemette Nielsen, M. Sc. In Business Administration, social expert
In addition, the assurance team has been supported by the following experts:
- Mr Kevin Delany, a partner with PwC’s Human Resource Management practice, BA(Hons) in Manpower Studies, MA in Law and Employment Relations and a post- graduate Diploma in Business Administration; Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Associate of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators, human resource expert
- Mr Hans Schoolderman, a director with PwC and leader of the Climate Change Services practice in the Netherlands; climate change expert
- Joris laseur, Associate, M. Sc iin Economics, University of Groningen. Climate change expert
- Mr Thomas Frei, a senior manager with PwC and coordinator of the PwC Sustainable Business Solutions Pharma Network, M.Sc. in Environmental Science and certified Advance EMS Auditor; business ethics expert
- Mr Hilbrand Haak, a partner with the consultancy firm Consultants for Health and Development in the Netherlands, MD degree and Master in Public Health; access to health expert.
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, 31 January 2007
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Statsautoriseret Revisionsaktieselskab
This page has been assessed by PricewaterhouseCoopers as part of its assessment of Novo Nordisk’s statement that it reports ‘in accordance’ with GRI. Please refer to Audit and assurance for a full description of the nature of assurance offered.
