Quest Diagnostics 2007 Annual Report Download - page 70

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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, 2007 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.
Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2007 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 has excluded from the scope of its assessment the business of AmeriPath Group Holdings, Inc.
(“AmeriPath”) and POCT Holding AB (“HemoCue”). Both companies were acquired by the Company in
purchase business combinations during 2007. AmeriPath and HemoCue are wholly owned subsidiaries whose total
excluded assets represent 4.6% and 0.9%, respectively, and total excluded revenues represent 7.1% and 1.2%,
respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31,
2007.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial
statements included in this annual report, audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2007 and issued their audit report expressing an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting.
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