Note J: Contingent liabilities

Akzo Nobel N.V. is parent of the group’s fiscal unity in the Netherlands, and is therefore liable for the liabilities of said fiscal unity as a whole.

Akzo Nobel N.V. has declared in writing that it accepts joint and several liability for contractual debts of certain Dutch and Irish consolidated companies (Article 403 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code and section 357(1) of the Irish Companies Act 2014). These debts, at year-end 2022, aggregating €0.6 billion (2021: €0.5 billion), are included in the Consolidated balance sheet.

Akzo Nobel N.V. has withdrawn its declarations of joint and several liability under Article 403 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code for certain Dutch former Specialty Chemicals subsidiaries divested as per October 1, 2018, and is following the procedures to terminate its residual liability under those declarations under Article 404 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code. One objection against the termination of residual liability is still pending and AkzoNobel, Nouryon and Nobian continue to cooperate to get this resolved.

Additionally, at year-end 2022, guarantees were issued on behalf of consolidated companies for an amount of €0.4 billion (2021: €0.3 billion). The debts and liabilities of the consolidated companies underlying these guarantees are included in the Consolidated balance sheet.