Shareholders’ participation

Restrictions and delegation of voting rights

Each share has one vote. All shares have equal voting rights, and no preferential rights or similar entitlements exist.

For resolutions concerning the discharge of the members of the Board of Directors, persons who currently take part in the company’s management in any manner do not have a voting right.

Registered shares may only be represented by persons who are entered in the share register as shareholders or beneficiaries who have a written power of attorney. Individual companies, partnerships or legal entities may arrange to be represented by legal representatives or representatives pursuant to the Articles of Association or by other authorised representatives, married persons by their spouse, minors and persons in guardianship by their legal representative, even if their representatives are not shareholders. Each shareholder may also arrange to be represented by the elected independent proxy.

Statutory quorums

In general, the legal rules on quorums and terms apply. The following shall require a resolution to be passed by the General Meeting by at least two thirds of the voting rights represented and by a majority of the nominal value of the shares represented:

• the introduction of voting shares;
• the introduction or removal of actual restrictions on the transferability of registered shares;
• the restriction or cancellation of subscription rights;
• the conversion of registered shares into bearer shares or of bearer shares into registered shares;
• the dismissal of more than one quarter of the members of the Board of Directors.

Calling of an Annual General Meeting

The calling of an Annual General Meeting is defined by law. The agenda contains any item submitted by the Board of Directors. In particular, this includes information for the appointment of new members to the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee and, in the event of changes to an Article of Association, the announcement of the new wording.

Agenda of the Annual General Meeting

Shareholders owning shares with a total nominal value of at least CHF 1 million can request that items be added to the agenda up to 45 days prior to the date fixed for the Annual General Meeting by submitting details of their proposals in writing.

Registration of shareholders into the share registers

Registered shares can only be represented at the Annual General Meetings by either shareholders or beneficiary owners whose personal particulars and size of shareholdings have been entered in the Company‘s share register. Such shareholders and/or beneficiary owners who are not in a position to attend the Annual General Meeting are entitled to nominate a representative by written proxy.

The share register remains closed for any movements during six calendar days preceding and including the date of the Annual General Meeting.