Auditors’ report

To the general meeting of the shareholders of Sandvik AB (publ), corporate identity number 5560000–3468

Report on the annual accounts and consolidated accounts

Opinions

We have audited the annual accounts and consolidated accounts of Sandvik AB (publ) for the year 2023.The annual accounts and consolidated accounts of the company are included in this document.

In our opinion, the annual accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Annual Accounts Act and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of parent company and the group as of 31 December 2023 and its financial performance and cash flow for the year then ended in accordance with the Annual Accounts Act. The consolidated accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Annual Accounts Act and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the group as of 31 December 2023 and their financial performance and cash flow for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the EU, and the Annual Accounts Act.

We therefore recommend that the general meeting of shareholders adopts the income statement and balance sheet for the parent company and the group.

Our opinions in this report on the annual accounts and consolidated accounts are consistent with the content of the additional report that has been submitted to the parent company’s audit committee in accordance with the Audit Regulation (537/2014) Article 11.

Basis for Opinions

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA) and generally accepted auditing standards in Sweden. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities section. We are independent of the parent company and the group in accordance with professional ethics for accountants in Sweden and have otherwise fulfilled our ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. This includes that, based on the best of our knowledge and belief, no prohibited services referred to in the Audit Regulation (537/2014) Article 5.1 have been provided to the audited company or, where applicable, its parent company or its controlled companies within the EU.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinions.

Our audit approach

Audit scope

We designed our audit by determining materiality and assessing the risks of material misstatement in the consolidated financial statements. In particular, we considered where management made subjective judgements; for example, in respect of significant accounting estimates that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain. As in all of our audits, we also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including among other matters consideration of whether there was evidence of bias that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

We tailored the scope of our audit in order to perform sufficient work to enable us to provide an opinion on the consolidated financial statements as a whole, taking into account the structure of the Group, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which the group operates.

Our audit strategy is built on our knowledge and understanding of Sandvik’s operations, strategy, governance and overall control environment. With this as a foundation, we tailor our Group audit with a focus on the key audit matters and other risks with the purpose of gaining audit comfort in order to express an opinion on the consolidated Financial statements. Our business understanding, risk assessment and selection of entities to be included in the Group audit is a continuous process which is updated once a year during our planning phase.

We build our overall understanding of Sandvik for the purpose of our Group audit, by interviewing Management for the Business Areas, Divisions and Group Functions and by updating our process understanding and understanding of relevant controls and systems that support the financial reporting. We also obtain and read management reports, policies and procedures etc.

The Group audit team coordinate the Group audit by issuing Group audit instructions to component auditors of selected entities in scope. We obtain and read reporting deliverables and conduct component calls with selected teams in order to ensure adherence to the overall Group audit strategy. The Group audit team is also responsible for auditing the consolidation process, the parent company accounts and for reporting to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors (once per year). The interim report for the third quarter is subject to an ISRE 2410 review. In addition, most legal entities in the Group are subject to statutory audit requirements based on local regulations.

Materiality

The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. An audit is designed to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. Misstatements may arise due to fraud or error. They are considered material if individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the consolidated financial statements.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined certain quantitative thresholds for materiality, including the overall group materiality for the consolidated financial statements as a whole. These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the effect of misstatements, both individually and in aggregate on the financial statements as a whole.

Key audit matters

Key audit matters of the audit are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the annual accounts and consolidated accounts of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of, and in forming our opinion thereon, the annual accounts and consolidated accounts as a whole, but we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Key Audit Matter

Revenue recognition in the appropriate period

The Group manufactures and sells products and services to its customers globally, mainly through its own distribution network. Sales contracts contain various performance obligations and other terms and the determination of when significant performance obligations have been met varies albeit a specific point in time can often be established. The Group has analyzed its various sales contracts and concluded on the principles for deciding in which period or periods the Group’s sales transactions should be recognized as revenue.

Disclosures in notes G2, G3 and P2 provide additional information on how the Group accounts for its revenue.

How our audit addressed the Key Audit Matter

Our audit included but was not limited to the following activities:

• Mapped and evaluated selected systems and processes for revenue recognition and tested a sample of key controls.
• Evaluated whether the Group accounting principles for revenue recognition comply with IFRS.
• Tested a sample of sales transactions for compliance with the Group accounting principles.
• Performed data analytical procedures to identify and evaluate a sample of manual and automatic journal entries.
• Traced disclosure information to accounting records and other supporting documentation.

Key Audit Matter

Measurement of goodwill and intangible assets with an indefinite life including acquired intangible assets

The majority of Sandvik’s intangible assets have been acquired externally, mostly through acquiring businesses, and represent significant amounts. Assets with indefinite useful life such as goodwill are not subject to yearly depreciation. Instead, an annual test will show whether the carrying amount for the cash generating unit can still be supported. Sandvik has acquired several businesses containing intangible assets during 2023.

There are a number of instances where management’s judgment is decisive for the accounting treatment, both in connection with acquiring businesses and in connection with annual impairment tests.

Note G13 contains additional information on the Group’s intangible assets and the significant assumptions applied in the annual impairment tests. In note G31 there is additional information about business combinations, accounting principles and acquired intangible assets.

How our audit addressed the Key Audit Matter

Our audit included but was not limited to the following activities:

• Assessed the model used by the Group for impairment testing and evaluated the significant assumptions for establishing forecasted cash flows and discount interest rates used for calculating the value-in-use of the cash generating units. In our evaluation, we have compared with the historic business performance and the Group’s forecasts and strategic planning as well as with external data sources when possible and relevant.
• Evaluated whether the purchase price allocations of the Significant acquisitions made during the year meet the Requirements of IFRS and have been prepared according to generally accepted practices. Assessed that significant assumptions used to measure values of acquired assets are reasonable. We have involved valuation specialists when conducting our work.
• Traced disclosure information to accounting records and other supporting documentation.

Key Audit Matter

Measurement of inventory

Sandvik keep significant stock of raw materials, spare parts and work-in-progress at its production units and stores of finished goods mostly at its sales units and distribution centres. The inventory balance is material and measurement of inventory is important for a fair presentation of gross margin. A due process is required to prepare accurate reporting of the acquisition cost when procurement, production and logistical processes are complex.

Establishing product costing requires many instances of management judgment with effect on the reported values. This includes assessing normal production levels, foreign currency, prices of raw materials and allocation of other direct and indirect costs. For finished goods, assessment is needed of obsolescence and how sellable the products are. Finally, there is a complexity in monitoring and measuring volumes particularly for some raw materials and work in progress as well as eliminating effects from intra Group transactions.

Notes G18 and P14 provide information about the the Group’s accounting principles for measuring inventory and additional information on the line item.

How our audit addressed the Key Audit Matter

Our audit included but was not limited to the following activities:

• Mapped and evaluated selected systems and processes for inventory and tested a sample of key controls for establishing cost.
• Tested, on a sample basis, stocks of raw materials to actual prices. Assessed the reasonableness of the product costing for work in progress and finished goods.
• Participated in stock takes at many locations and tested the cut-off of deliveries in or out of inventory.
• Obtained the Group’s monitoring controls of slow movers and assessments of obsolescence as well as net selling prices.
• Traced disclosure information to accounting records and other supporting documentation.

Other Information than the annual accounts and consolidated accounts

This document also contains other information than the annual accounts and consolidated accounts and is found on pages 1-39 and 162-164, and the Statutory Sustainability Report and Sustainable Business Report on pages 7-9, 13, 61-66 and 142-160.

The other information also contains the Remuneration report which we expect to receive after the release of the Auditor’s Report. The Board of Directors and the Managing Director are responsible for this other information.

Our opinion on the annual accounts and consolidated accounts does not cover this other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion regarding this other information.

In connection with our audit of the annual accounts and consolidated accounts, our responsibility is to read the information identified above and consider whether the information is materially inconsistent with the annual accounts and consolidated accounts. In this procedure we also take into account our knowledge otherwise obtained in the audit and assess whether the information otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If we, based on the work performed concerning this information, conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors and the Managing Director

The Board of Directors and the Managing Director are responsible for the preparation of the annual accounts and consolidated accounts and that they give a fair presentation in accordance with the Annual Accounts Act and, concerning the consolidated accounts, in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU. The Board of Directors and the Managing Director are also responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of annual accounts and consolidated accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the annual accounts and consolidated accounts, The Board of Directors and the Managing Director are responsible for the assessment of the company’s and the group’s ability to continue as a going concern. They disclose, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting. The going concern basis of accounting is however not applied if the Board of Directors and the Managing Director intend to liquidate the company, to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

The Audit Committee shall, without prejudice to the Board of Director’s responsibilities and tasks in general, among other things oversee the company’s financial reporting process.

Auditor’s responsibility

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the annual accounts and consolidated accounts as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinions. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs and generally accepted auditing standards in Sweden will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these annual accounts and consolidated accounts.

A further description of our responsibility for the audit of the annual accounts and consolidated accounts is available on Revisorsinspektionen’s website: www.revisorsinspektionen.se/revisornsansvar. This description is part of the auditor´s report.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

The auditor’s examination of the administration of the company and the proposed appropriations of the company’s profit or loss

Opinions

In addition to our audit of the annual accounts and consolidated accounts, we have also audited the administration of the Board of Director’s and the Managing Director of Sandvik AB (publ) for the year 2023 and the proposed appropriations of the company’s profit or loss.

We recommend to the general meeting of shareholders that the profit be appropriated in accordance with the proposal in the statutory administration report and that the members of the Board of Director’s and the Managing Director be discharged from liability for the financial year.

Basis for opinions

We conducted the audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in Sweden. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities section. We are independent of the parent company and the group in accordance with professional ethics for accountants in Sweden and have otherwise fulfilled our ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinions.

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors and the Managing Director

The Board of Directors is responsible for the proposal for appropriations of the company’s profit or loss. At the proposal of a dividend, this includes an assessment of whether the dividend is justifiable considering the requirements which the company’s and the group’s type of operations, size and risks place on the size of the parent company’s and the group’ equity, consolidation requirements, liquidity and position in general.

The Board of Directors is responsible for the company’s organization and the administration of the company’s affairs. This includes among other things continuous assessment of the company’s and the group’s financial situation and ensuring that the company´s organization is designed so that the accounting, management of assets and the company’s financial affairs otherwise are controlled in a reassuring manner. The Managing Director shall manage the ongoing administration according to the Board of Directors’ guidelines and instructions and among other matters take measures that are necessary to fulfill the company’s accounting in accordance with law and handle the management of assets in a reassuring manner.

Auditor’s responsibility

Our objective concerning the audit of the administration, and thereby our opinion about discharge from liability, is to obtain audit evidence to assess with a reasonable degree of assurance whether any member of the Board of Directors or the Managing Director in any material respect:

• has undertaken any action or been guilty of any omission which can give rise to liability to the company, or
• in any other way has acted in contravention of the Companies Act, the Annual Accounts Act or the Articles of Association.

Our objective concerning the audit of the proposed appropriations of the company’s profit or loss, and thereby our opinion about this, is to assess with reasonable degree of assurance whether the proposal is in accordance with the Companies Act.

Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in Sweden will always detect actions or omissions that can give rise to liability to the company, or that the proposed appropriations of the company’s profit or loss are not in accordance with the Companies Act.

A further description of our responsibility for the audit of the administration is available on Revisorsinspektionen’s website: www.revisorsinspektionen.se/revisornsansvar. This description is part of the auditor’s report.

The auditor’s examination of the ESEF report

Opinion

In addition to our audit of the annual accounts and consolidated accounts, we have also examined that the Board of Directors and the Managing Director have prepared the annual accounts and consolidated accounts in a format that enables uniform electronic reporting (the Esef report) pursuant to Chapter 16, Section 4(a) of the Swedish Securities Market Act (2007:528) for Sandvik AB (publ) for the financial year 2023.

Our examination and our opinion relate only to the statutory requirements.

In our opinion, the Esef report has been prepared in a format that, in all material respects, enables uniform electronic reporting.

Basis for opinion

We have performed the examination in accordance with FAR’s recommendation RevR 18 Examination of the Esef report. Our responsibility under this recommendation is described in more detail in the Auditors’ responsibility section. We are independent of Sandvik AB (publ) in accordance with professional ethics for accountants in Sweden and have otherwise fulfilled our ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

We believe that the evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors and the Managing Director

The Board of Directors and the Managing Director are responsible for the preparation of Esef report in accordance with the Chapter 16, Section 4(a) of the Swedish Securities Market Act (2007:528), and for such internal control that the Board of Directors and the Managing Director determine is necessary to prepare the Esef report without material misstatements, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s responsibility

Our responsibility is to obtain reasonable assurance whether the Esef report is in all material respects prepared in a format that meets the requirements of Chapter 16, Section 4(a) of the Swedish Securities Market Act (2007:528), based on the procedures performed.

RevR 18 requires us to plan and execute procedures to achieve reasonable assurance that the Esef report is prepared in a format that meets these requirements.

Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but it is not a guarantee that an engagement carried out according to RevR 18 and generally accepted auditing standards in Sweden will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the ESEF report.

The firm applies International Standard on Quality Management 1, which requires the firm to design, implement and operate a system of quality management including policies or procedures regarding compliance with ethical requirements, professional standards and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

The examination involves obtaining evidence, through various procedures, that the Esef report has been prepared in a format that enables uniform electronic reporting of the annual accounts and consolidated accounts. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement in the report, whether due to fraud or error. In carrying out this risk assessment, and in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, the auditor considers those elements of internal control that are relevant to the preparation of the Esef report by the Board of Directors and the Managing Director, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of those internal controls. The examination also includes an evaluation of the appropriateness and reasonableness of assumptions made by the Board of Directors and the Managing Director.

The procedures mainly include a validation that the Esef report has been prepared in a valid XHMTL format and a reconciliation of the Esef report with the audited annual accounts and consolidated accounts.

Furthermore, the procedures also include an assessment of whether the consolidated statement of financial performance, financial position, changes in equity, cash flow and disclosures in the Esef report have been marked with iXBRL in accordance with what follows from the Esef regulation.

PricewaterhouseCoopers AB, Torsgatan 21, 113 97, Stockholm, was appointed auditor of Sandvik AB (publ) by the general meeting of the shareholders on 27 April 2023 and has been the company’s auditor since 27 April 2018.

Stockholm March 12, 2024
PricewaterhouseCoopers AB