Quest Diagnostics 2006 Annual Report Download - page 87

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REPORT OF MANAGEMENT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (the “Company”), including its Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over
financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2006 based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in “Internal
Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission. Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting and testing of the operating effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting.
Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2006 is effective.
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal
control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records
that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the
Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of
financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorization of
management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the
consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as
of December 31, 2006 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing on pages F-1 and F-2, which expresses unqualified opinions
on management’s assessment and on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2006.
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