In-control statement

As the Board of Management, we are responsible for the adequate design and operating effectiveness of our risk management and control system. This system is aimed at achieving strategic and operational objectives, and at monitoring the reliability of our financial reporting and our regulatory compliance. The inherent limitations that apply to any internal risk management and control system must, however, be taken into account. As a result, we will never be able to guarantee absolutely that we will achieve our company objectives or that our processes (including the financial reporting process) will be free from errors, losses, fraud or violations of laws and regulations.

We evaluated the design and operating effectiveness of the system during 2019, and discussed this with the senior leadership team, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board. Monitoring and evaluation took place based on business control reports containing an overview of operational risks and controls, business self-assessments resulting in Letters of Representation, and quarterly updates on strategic risks and opportunities. Account was also taken of the information from reports from the internal audit function and the external auditor. Despite the fact that the quality of our system of internal controls has increased, we acknowledge the need for further improvements to our system of internal controls as detailed in the Risk management section of this report.

We declare that:

• the report provides sufficient insights into any failings in the effectiveness of the internal risk management and control systems;

• the aforementioned systems provide reasonable assurance that the financial reporting does not contain any material inaccuracies;

• based on the current state of affairs, it is justified that the financial reporting is prepared on a going concern basis;

• the report states those material risks and uncertainties that are relevant to the expectation of the company’s continuity for the period of twelve months after the preparation of the report.

Rotterdam, 23 March 2020

Board of Management,

Marc van der Linden, CEO (chair)

Danny Benima, CFO

Judith Koole, COO

David Peters, CTO