Independent assurance report Within the scope of our assurance engagement, we performed amongst others the following assurance procedures and further activities: y Obtaining an understanding of the structure of the sustainability organization and of the stakeholder engagement y Inquiries of personnel involved in the preparation of the Non-financial Report regarding the preparation process, the internal control system relating to this process and selected disclosures in the Non-financial Report y Identification of the likely risks of material misstatement of the Non-financial Report y Analytical evaluation of selected disclosures in the Nonfinancial Report y Comparison of selected disclosures with corresponding data in the consolidated financial statements and in the group management report y Evaluation of the presentation of the non-financial information Assurance Conclusion Based on the assurance procedures performed and assurance evidence obtained, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the Company’s Non-financial Report for the period from been prepared, in all material aspects, in accordance with §§ 315b and 315c in conjunction with 289c to 289e HGB.