Each share entitles the bearer to one vote. Shareholders may only be represented at the Annual General Meeting by their legal representative, another shareholder with voting rights, the independent proxy, the Company-appointed proxy or a proxy appointed by a custodial institution. Proxy representation requires a written power of attorney that is only valid for the meeting for which it is issued. Article 13 paragraph 2 of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation stipulates the matters for which a majority greater than that prescribed by law is required in order to pass a shareholders’ resolution, namely a qualified majority of at least two-thirds of the votes represented and an absolute majority of the nominal stock value represented.

The types of transaction covered by this provision are as follows:

• The conversion of registered shares into bearer shares;
• The cancelation or modification of transferability restrictions (Article 5 of the Articles of Incorporation);
• The dissolution and liquidation of the Company and the removal of Article 13 paragraph 2 itself from the Articles of Incorporation, and the elimination or modification of the quorum specified in this provision.

Shareholders who together hold shares of at least 1 % of the share capital may request in writing no later than 56 days prior to a General Meeting that a specific item be included on the agenda. Shareholders who together represent at least 10 % of the share capital may request that a General Meeting be convened. Shareholders registered as having voting rights are informed by mail of the convening of a General Meeting at least 20 days prior to the meeting. The notice is also published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce. As a rule, the share register is closed for new entries from around ten days before the day of the Annual General Meeting until the day of the Annual General Meeting.