The shareholders protect their rights at the Shareholders’ Meeting by exercising their right to vote. Each share entitles the shareholder to one vote. Entitlement to vote at the meeting is based on holding shares at the internationally recognised record date. The beginning of the 21^st day before the Shareholders’ Meeting is used as the cut-off date for the identification of shareholders.

The annual general meeting takes place within the first six months of each financial year. The agenda for the meeting, including the reports and documents required for the meeting, is published on the company’s website. The notice of the Shareholders’ Meeting and the associated documents can be transmitted electronically to shareholders if they so wish.

Shareholders who cannot attend the Shareholders’ Meeting or who leave the meeting before voting has commenced have the option to exercise their vote using a proxy of their choice or a proxy appointed by the company voting in accordance with their instructions. The proxy forms may be handed in at any time until the evening before the Shareholders’ Meeting, and may also be in electronic form if so desired.

The Executive Board of Linde AG presents the annual financial statements and Group financial statements for approval at the Shareholders’ Meeting. The Shareholders’ Meeting passes resolutions regarding the appropriation of profits, the ratification of the acts of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board, the election of shareholder representatives to the Supervisory Board and the appointment of the auditors. Any changes to be made to the articles of association and any changes in capital are also dealt with at the Shareholders’ Meeting.