# To our Shareholders

_Source: `DeepSeekOCR_Ardian_pruned_1k/basic-materials-specialty-chemicals/NYSE_ECL_2021/NYSE_ECL_2021.mmd` · pages 64-70_

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To our Shareholders:

## Management's Responsibility for Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the consolidated financial statements. The statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, accordingly, include certain amounts based on management's best estimates and judgments.

The Board of Directors, acting through its Audit Committee composed solely of independent directors, is responsible for determining that management fulfills its responsibilities in the preparation of financial statements and maintains internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the appointment of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, subject to ratification by the shareholders. It meets regularly with management, the internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm.

The independent registered public accounting firm has audited the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report and have expressed their opinion regarding whether these consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects our financial position and results of operation and cash flows as stated in their report presented separately herein.

## Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, an evaluation of the design and operating effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting was conducted based on the 2013 framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, management concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021.

On December 1, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Purolite. Refer to Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. Based on the Securities and Exchange Commission staff guidance companies may exclude acquisitions from their assessment of internal control over financial reporting during the first year of an acquisition and management elected to exclude Purolite from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021. Purolite's total assets and total revenues, excluded from management's assessment, represent approximately 2% and less than 1%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021.

The Company's independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, has audited the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 as stated in their report which is included herein.

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Christophe Beck

President and Chief Executive Officer

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Scott D. Kirkland

Chief Financial Officer