Organizational Rules

These Organizational Rules are based on art. 716a and 716b of the Swiss Code of Obligations and on art. 10.2 of the Articles of Incorporation of Sika AG. They define the duties, powers and responsibilities of the following executive bodies of Sika AG and the Sika Group:

• the Board of Directors (“Board”) and each of its members

• the Audit Committee (“AC”)*

• the Nomination and Compensation Committee (“NCC”)*
• the Sustainability Committee (“SC”)
• the Chair of the Board (“Chair”)

• the Vice-Chair of the Board

• the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”)

• the Vice Executive Officer

• the Group Management (“KL”) and each of its members

• Board of Directors of local subsidiaries

*AC, NCC and SC are jointly referred to as Board Committees

Duty of Care

The members of the executive bodies of Sika shall carry out their duties with due care and shall at all times safeguard the interests of Sika. In doing so, they must comply with Sika’s Values and Principles, its Code of Conduct as well as all other applicable rules.

Delegation and direction of the group

• Except as otherwise provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Organizational Rules, all areas of management are fully delegated by the Board, with the power to sub-delegate, to the CEO, the KL and its members.
• Except as otherwise provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Organizational Rules, the CEO, the KL and its members may delegate their tasks and powers to any hierarchically lower executive body or business unit of Sika that is able, based on its knowledge and experience, to take adequate decisions.
• The executive bodies of Sika AG, as the parent company of the Sika group of
  companies (“the Group”), exercise at the same time the direction of the Group. The Group and Sika AG are jointly referred to as “Sika”.

Confidentiality, conflict of interest

• Board and KL members are bound by a duty of confidentiality towards Sika for all non-public information which they have received in connection with their function. This obligation continues even after their term of office has expired.

• Board and KL members do not participate in decisions on matters which may affect their personal interests or the interests of any person closely connected to such member. Members will immediately advise the Chair (for the Board) or the CEO (for the KL) of any potential conflict of interest. Chair or the CEO may decide in the interest of Sika to exclude a conflicted member also from the deliberations on the respective topic.

Meetings and decisions

• Meetings are held periodically, and in addition, when matters require it or on the written request of one of the members of the body concerned. Except for urgent cases, the invitation for a meeting and relevant documents must be sent out at least five working days before the meeting.
• Decisions may only be taken if the majority of the members of the respective body are present. Decisions may be taken by circular vote (including telefax and electronic data transmission) or by telecommunication (including telephone, videoconference, etc), provided that none of the members requests a formal meeting.
• The decisions of the Board, the Board Committees and the KL are adopted by the absolute majority of votes cast. The chair of the meeting has the casting vote.
• The meetings and the respective resolutions of the Board, the Board Committees and the KL are minuted and the minutes are distributed to the members of the respective body. Minutes of meetings of the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Nomination Committee and the Sustainability Committee are also distributed to the other members of the Board.
  

Duties

The Board is responsible for the overall direction and control of the management of Sika. Its duties include the following:

• determine its strategy, the financial planning and its fundamental policies and rules

• establish the organization

• approve the annual budget

• structure the accounting system and the financial controlling

• assess the risk management

• appoint and remove members of the KL, supervise them in particular with regard to

• the implementation of Sika’s strategy and compliance with laws, rules and regulations

• prepare the shareholders meeting and implement its resolutions

• decide on certain business matters as defined in Annex.
  

Organization, meetings

• The Board designates its secretary, who must not be a Board member.
• The Board convenes at the invitation of the Chair at least five times a year. Except for Board only topics, CEO and CFO are present in all Board meetings, other KL members if required.
• Deliberations and decisions shall be minuted and signed by the Chair and the secretary.
  

Assessment, succession planning

Right to information and reporting

• Each Board member is entitled to timely and comprehensive reports on all aspects of Sika's business in accordance with the Board’s duties. In every meeting, the Chair, or, at the Chair’s instruction, CEO and CFO inform the Board about the status of business. The Board shall be advised immediately by the Chair of any extraordinary events.

• If a member of the Board desires to obtain information or to review business documents outside of a meeting, a request to obtain such information or documents must be submitted to the Chair. To the extent it is required for the fulfilment of the Board’s duties, any member of the Board may submit a request to the Chair to make records and files available to that member of the Board. If the Chair declines a request for information, for a hearing or a review of records, the final decision will be taken by the Board.

Duties

• convene, prepare and chair the Board meetings
  
• prepare and supervise the implementation of Board resolutions, unless such task is delegated to a Board Committee
  
• represent Sika to its shareholders and outside stakeholders. Also represent the Board within Sika
  
• supervise the course of business and the activities of the KL
  
• coordinate the work of the Board Committees; the Chair receives all invitations and minutes of Board Committee meetings and is entitled to attend these meetings
  
• decide on certain business matters as defined in the Annex.
  

Reporting

If the Chair resigns within the term of office or is otherwise unable to act, the Board shall appoint a Vice-Chair who assumes all the Chair’s duties and powers for the respective period.

Duties and organization

The duties and organization of the NCC is defined in the attached charter of the NCC.

Reporting

The NCC chair informs the Board at each Board meeting of the activities of the NCC.

Duties and organization

The duties and organization of the AC is defined in the attached charter of the AC.

Reporting

The AC chair informs the Board at each Board meeting of the activities of the AC.

Duties and organization

The duties and organization of the SC is defined in the attached charter of the SC.

Reporting

The SC chair informs the Board at each Board meeting of the activities of the SC.

The CEO reports to the Chair. The KL reports to him. His include the following:

• Achieve the strategic objectives, set operational priorities and manage the necessary resources
• Lead and supervise and coach the other KL members
  
• Convene, prepare and chair the KL meetings
  
• Regularly and timely inform the Chair and the Board on the business
  
• Submits requests for approval to the Chair and the Board
  
• Represents Sika with regard to operational aspects to the public (particularly customers, suppliers and the financial community).
  

Duties

• Preparation of all information necessary for resolutions to be adopted by the Chair and the Board
  
• Implementation of resolutions of the Chair and the Board also on the operational and functional levels
  
• Planning and development of junior management
  
• Approval of business matters as per Annex
  
• Securing of timely and comprehensive reporting to the Chair and the Board
• Decide on certain business matters as defined in Annex.

Organization, meetings, delegation

• The KL is led by the CEO. Regional Managers and Functional Managers are members. The KL meets at the invitation of the CEO as often as necessary.
  
• The invitation for the meeting and relevant documents must be sent out at least one weekend before the meeting.
  
• The KL may delegate the preparation, execution and monitoring of certain of its duties to individual KL members.
  

If the CEO is temporarily excused, the Board elects a Vice Executive Officer for this period who is fully authorized to act with the CEO’s duties.

Regional Manager

• Exercise the duties as member of the KL
  
• Assume full responsibility for the region with a view to achieving the budget and the strategic goals
  
• Represent the region in the KL and the latter to the companies and areas of the region
  
• Implement the resolutions of the Board, Chair and the KL and exercises the necessary supervisory functions.

Functional Manager

The Functional Manager has the following duties:

• Exercise the duties as member of the KL

• Lead the functional area with a view to reaching the budget and the strategic goals

• Represent the functional area in the KL and the latter to the subordinates

• Implement the resolutions of the Board, Chair and the KL and exercises the necessary supervisory functions.

Composition

Duties

The Board of Directors' duties are in accordance with the local legal requirements and the personal duties of its members.

Function

Duties in nomination matters

The NCC presents findings and proposals to the Board (where applicable) on the following matters:

• Identification and assessment of potential candidates to positions on the Board based on predefined criteria
  
• Yearly assessment of the Board and the Board Committees with regard to their performance, constitution and independency
  
• At least yearly assessment of the performance of each member of the KL
  
• Identification and assessment of potential candidates to the position of CEO
  
• Review of candidates for other KL positions as proposed by the CEO
  
• Yearly review and assessment of the succession planning and emergency succession list for positions of Group Management
  
• Other duties and tasks as the NCC chair deems necessary and appropriate.
  

Duties in compensation matters

The NCC presents findings and proposals to the Board (where applicable) on the following matters:

• Compensation strategy and system including the principles and design of compensation plans as well as long-term incentive/equity plans for
  
• Group Management and other key employees
  
• All compensation matters to be approved by the General Assembly
  
• Individual compensation of the Chair of the Board and the other members of the Board, including compensation for the work in the Board Committees
  
• At the start of each performance period, the performance objectives relevant for the incentive compensation plans applicable to the KL
  
• At the start of each performance period, the target compensation level and the mix of compensation (annual base salary, short-term incentive, long-term incentive) for each member of the KL
  
• At the end of each performance period, the evaluation of the performance results under the incentive plans and the respective amount of compensation earned for each member of the KL
  
• Possible amendments to the Articles of Incorporation with respect to the compensation provisions
  
• The annual compensation report
  
• Other duties and task as the NCC chair deems necessary and appropriate.
  

Other duties

• Review of external additional mandates pursuant to Article 8.4 of the Articles of Association and further additional occupation of the members of the Board and of Group Management
  
• Establishment of an annual calendar of activities for the upcoming year, including special projects to the be undertaken by the NCC
  
• Annual self-evaluation of the NCC performance
  
• Other duties as assigned by the Board.
  

Composition

• The Board appoints the chair of the NCC. In case of vacancies during the year, the Board appoints a substitute for the remaining term of office. Members of the NCC may be eligible for re-election.
  
• No member of the NCC shall have been employed by Sika during the two years prior to joining the NCC.
  

Organization, meetings

• The NCC meets at least four (4) times a year. As a general rule, the Chair and the CEO attend the NCC meetings in an advisory capacity. The NCC chair may invite to its meetings other Board members, other Group Management members or other members of the management or such other persons the NCC deems appropriate in order to carry out its duties.
• The chair of the NCC or – in the event of incapacity – another member of the NCC chairs the meeting. The chair of the NCC determines the secretary.
  

Function

Duties in finance matters and risk management

The AC presents findings and proposals (where applicable) on the following finance and risk management matters at least annually:

• Finance directives and related accounting and reporting processes
  
• The management of the financial structure, the liquidity and funding strategy of the Company
  
• Hedging strategies and related risks
  
• Cash and liquidity management processes
  
• Use/increase of contingent/authorized share capital, increase of share capital and share buy-back.
  
• Processes and procedures for management’s monitoring of any significant risks or exposures the Company may face
  
• Enterprise Risk Management report.
  

Duties with regard to financial statements

The AC presents findings and proposals (where applicable) on the following matters regarding the financial statements:

• Regular review of integrity and effectiveness of the financial reporting process and systems of internal controls
  
• Quarterly and annual audited financial statements, annual report prior to distribution
  
• Significant issues including audit problems or difficulties identified by the external auditors and the internal auditing organization together with management’s responses
  
• Significant changes in the accounting principles and any items that are required to be communicated by the external auditors
  
• Earnings press releases as well as material financial information
  
• Legal, compliance and tax matters based on a review with the General Counsel, the Compliance Officer and the Tax Officer.
  

Duties in compliance

• Annual review of programs, directives and instructions designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, in particular the
  
• Code of Conduct and monitor the results of the compliance efforts
  
• Major issues regarding the status of Sika’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations, in particular reported violations of applicable laws and regulations.
  

Duties regarding the external auditors

• Taking into account the opinions of KL, evaluate the performance of the external auditors and, on an annual basis, recommend to the Board the external auditors to be proposed to the shareholders for election or re-election
  
• On an annual basis, review and discuss with the external auditors all significant relationships the external auditors have with the Company that could impair the external auditor’s independence
  
• Approve the compensation payable to the external auditors.
  

Duties in internal audit

• Approve the scope of the internal audit function as formally defined in the Internal Audit Charter.
  
• Review and approve the internal audit plan for each year taking into consideration the recommendation of the KL
  
• At least annually, review the efficiency and effectivity of Internal Audit
  
• Taking into consideration the recommendation of the CEO and the CFO, review and approve the appointment, termination and replacement of the Head of Internal Audit as well as the performance of that officer.
  
• Review the results of any external assessments of the internal audit function. Such assessments should be made once every five years.
  

Other duties

• Annual self-evaluation of the AC performance.

• Other duties as assigned to by the Board.

Composition

• The Board appoints the chair and the members of the AC, each year after the (re-)election to the Board. In case of vacancies during the year, the Board appoints a substitute for the remaining term of office. Members of the AC may be eligible for re-election.
• Members of the AC must have a thorough understanding of finance, accounting and auditing.

Organization, meetings

• The AC meets at least three times a year.

• As a general rule, CFO and the CEO attend the meetings and advise the AC. The participation of others, in particular representatives of the External Auditor or the Internal Audit, lies with the discretion of the AC chair.

• The chair of the AC or – in the event of incapacity – another member of the AC chairs the meeting. The chair of the AC appoints the secretary.

Function

The SC assists the Board in defining the Group’s strategy and overseeing its activities in the area of sustainability with a special focus on the following areas:

• Sustainable Solutions
•  Climate Performance
•  Community Engagement
• Energy
•  Waste and Water
• Occupational Health & Safety
• Product Stewardship
• Responsible Sourcing

Duties

The SC presents findings and proposals to the Board (where applicable) on the following matters:

• The Group’s strategy with regard to sustainability
• Annual sustainability related targets in all focus areas listed above (in consultation with the NCC) and their achievements
• Sustainability related reporting in consultation with the AC
• The Group’s annual Sustainability Report

Other Duties

The SC shall regularly review the scope of its duties and self-assess its activities. 

Composition

The Board appoints the chair and the members of the SC. In case of vacancies during the year, the Board appoints a substitute for the remaining term of office. Members of the SC may be eligible for re-election. 

Organization, Meetings

• The SC meets at least three times a year. As a general rule, the Chair, the CEO, CFO and the Chief Innovation and Sustainability Officer attend the SC meetings in an advisory capacity. The SC chair may invite to its meetings other Board members, other Group Management members or other members of the management or such other persons the SC deems appropriate in order to carry out its duties.
• The chair of the SC or – in the event of incapacity – another member of the SC chairs the meeting. The chair of the SC determines the secretary.