DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT 2.2 [EXECUTION COPY] ================================================================================ JAMES HARDIE INDUSTRIES N.V. AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS DEPOSITARY AND OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS DEPOSIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2001 ================================================================================ TABLE OF CONTENTS

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- iii - DEPOSIT AGREEMENT DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of September 24, 2001 and effective as of the Effective Date (as hereinafter defined), among JAMES HARDIE INDUSTRIES N.V., incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands and with its corporate seat in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (herein called the Issuer), THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation (herein called the Depositary), and all Owners and holders from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder. WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, the Issuer desires to provide, as hereinafter set forth in this Deposit Agreement, for the deposit of CUFS (as hereinafter defined), each representing a beneficial interest in one Share (as hereinafter defined) of the Issuer from time to time with the Depositary or with the Custodian (as hereinafter defined) as agent of the Depositary for the purposes set forth in this Deposit Agreement, for the creation of American Depositary Shares representing the CUFS (subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement) so deposited and for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares; and WHEREAS, the American Depositary Receipts are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided in this Deposit Agreement; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows: ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS. The following definitions shall for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated, apply to the respective terms used in this Deposit Agreement: SECTION 1.01 American Depositary Shares. The term "American Depositary Shares" shall mean the securities representing the interests in the Deposited Securities and evidenced by the Receipts issued hereunder. Each American Depositary Share shall represent the number of CUFS specified in Exhibit A annexed hereto, until there shall occur a distribution upon Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.03 or a change in Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.08 with respect to which additional Receipts are not executed and delivered, and thereafter American Depositary Shares shall evidence the amount of CUFS or Deposited Securities specified in such Sections. SECTION 1.02 Article; Section. Wherever references are made in this Deposit Agreement to an "Article" or "Articles" or to a "Section" or "Sections", such references shall mean an article or articles or a section or sections of this Deposit Agreement, unless otherwise required by the context. SECTION 1.03 CHESS. The term "CHESS" shall mean Clearing House Electronic Subregister System, being the automated clearing and settlement process for transactions executed on the Australian Stock Exchange. SECTION 1.04 CHESS Subregister. The term "CHESS Subregister" shall mean that part of the Issuer's CUFS register that is administered by the SCH. - 2 - SECTION 1.05 Commission. The term "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any successor governmental agency in the United States. SECTION 1.06 CUFS Depositary. The term "CUFS Depositary" shall mean the CUFS depositary nominee, CHESS Depositary Nominees Pty Limited, and its successors or any other entity appointed by the Issuer which performs substantially identical functions in Australia. SECTION 1.07 CUFS. The term "CUFS" shall mean CHESS Units of Foreign Securities, issued by the CUFS Depositary, representing beneficial ownership in Shares of the Issuer. SECTION 1.08 Custodian. The term "Custodian" shall mean the Australian office of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, as agent of the Depositary for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement, and any other firm or corporation which may hereafter be appointed by the Depositary pursuant to the terms of Section 5.05, as substitute or additional custodian or custodians hereunder, as the context shall require and shall also mean all of them collectively. SECTION 1.09 Delivery; Deposit; Surrender; Transfer; Withdraw. The term "deliver", "deposit", surrender", "transfer" or "withdraw", when (i) with respect to CUFS or other Deposited Securities: (a) in the case of book-entry CUFS or other Deposited Securities, shall refer to an entry or entries in an account or accounts maintained by institutions authorized under applicable law to effect transfers of the CUFS or such other Deposited Securities, or (b) in the case of certificated Deposited Securities, to the physical delivery, deposit, withdrawal or transfer of certificates - 3 - representing such Deposited Securities and (ii) with respect to American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts, (a) in the case of American Depositary Shares available in book-entry form, shall refer to appropriate adjustments in the records maintained by (1) the Depositary, (2) the Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its nominee, or (3) institutions that have accounts with DTC, as applicable, or (b) otherwise, shall refer to the physical delivery, deposit, surrender, transfer or withdrawal of such American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts. SECTION 1.10 Deposit Agreement. The term "Deposit Agreement" shall mean this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof. SECTION 1.11 Depositary; Corporate Trust Office. The term "Depositary" shall mean The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation and any successor as depositary hereunder. The term "Corporate Trust Office", when used with respect to the Depositary, shall mean the office of the Depositary which at the date of this Agreement is 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York, 10286. SECTION 1.12 Deposited Securities. The term "Deposited Securities" as of any time shall mean CUFS at such time deposited or deemed to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement and any and all other securities, property and cash received by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect thereof and at such time held hereunder, subject as to cash to the provisions of Section 4.5. - 4 - SECTION 1.13 Dollars; Euro. The term "Dollars" shall mean United States dollars. The term "Euro" shall mean the common currency of the participating member countries in the European Monetary Union. SECTION 1.14 Holding Statement. The term "Holding Statement" shall mean the statement which sets forth the number of CUFS held by a particular holder of CUFS. SECTION 1.15 Issuer. The term "Issuer" shall mean James Hardie Industries N.V., incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands and with its corporate seat in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and its successors. SECTION 1.16 Owner. The term "Owner" shall mean the person in whose name a Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary maintained for such purpose. SECTION 1.17 Receipts. The term "Receipts" shall mean the American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder evidencing American Depositary Shares. SECTION 1.18 Registrar. The term "Registrar" shall mean any bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which shall be appointed to register Receipts and transfers of Receipts as herein provided. SECTION 1.19 Restricted Securities. The term "Restricted Securities" shall mean Shares, CUFS representing Shares, or American Depositary Shares representing such CUFS, which are acquired - 5 - directly or indirectly from the Issuer or its affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933) in a transaction or chain of transactions not involving any public offering or which are subject to resale limitations under Regulation D under that Act or both, or which are held by an officer, director (or persons performing similar functions) or other affiliate of the Issuer, or which are subject to other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of the United States or The Netherlands, or under a shareholder agreement or the Articles of Association of the Issuer. SECTION 1.20 SCH. The term "SCH" shall mean ASX Settlement and Transfer Corporation Pty Limited (ABN 49008 504 532), as approved as the securities clearing house and the entity administering CHESS. SECTION 1.21 SCH Business Rules. The term "SCH Business Rules" shall mean the Business Rules regulating the functions and operations of SCH. SECTION 1.22 Securities Act of 1933. The term "Securities Act of 1933" shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended. SECTION 1.23 Shares. The term "Shares" shall mean ordinary shares in registered form of the Issuer, heretofore validly issued and outstanding and fully paid, nonassessable and free of any pre-emptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares or hereafter validly issued and outstanding and fully paid, nonassessable and free of any pre-emptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares or interim certificates representing such Shares. - 6 - ARTICLE 2. FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS. SECTION 2.01 Form and Transferability of Receipts. Definitive Receipts shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A annexed to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided. No Receipt shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless such Receipt shall have been executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary and, if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed, countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Registrar. The Depositary shall maintain books on which each Receipt so executed and delivered as hereinafter provided and the transfer of each such Receipt shall be registered. Receipts bearing the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary who was at any time a proper signatory of the Depositary shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding that such signatory has ceased to hold such office prior to the execution and delivery of such Receipts by the Registrar or did not hold such office on the date of issuance of such Receipts. The Receipts may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or modifications not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be required by the Depositary or required to comply with any applicable law or regulations thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange upon which American Depositary Shares may be listed or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Receipts are subject by reason of the date of issuance of the underlying Deposited Securities or otherwise. - 7 - Title to a Receipt (and to the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby), when properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, shall be transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument; provided, however, that the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Owner thereof as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes. SECTION 2.02 Deposit of CUFS. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, and the SCH Business Rules, CUFS or evidence of rights to receive CUFS may be deposited by delivery thereof (which may include delivery by electronic transfer through the facilities of CHESS or otherwise) to any Custodian hereunder, accompanied by any appropriate instrument or instruments of transfer, or endorsement, in form satisfactory to the Custodian, together with all such certifications as may be required by the Depositary or the Custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, and, if the Depositary requires, together with a written order directing the Depositary to execute and deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such order, a Receipt or Receipts for the number of American Depositary Shares representing such deposited CUFS. No CUFS shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that any necessary approval has been granted by any applicable governmental body which is then performing the function of the regulation of currency exchange. If required by the Depositary, CUFS presented for deposit at any time, whether or not the transfer books of the Issuer or the CUFS Depositary (or the appointed agent of the CUFS Depositary for transfer and registration of the CUFS), if applicable, are closed, shall also be accompanied by an agreement or assignment, or other instrument satisfactory to the Depositary, which will provide for the prompt transfer to the Custodian of any dividend, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or CUFS or to - 8 - receive other property which any person in whose name the CUFS are or have been recorded may thereafter receive upon or in respect of such deposited CUFS, or in lieu thereof, such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary. Upon delivery to a Custodian of CUFS to be deposited hereunder, or delivery to the Custodian of irrevocable instructions therefor, together in either case with the other documents above specified, such Custodian shall obtain confirmation of registration of, or registration of transfer of, the CUFS being deposited in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or such Custodian or its nominee. Deposited Securities (other than CUFS) shall be held by the Depositary or by a Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary or at such other place or places as the Depositary shall determine. SECTION 2.03 Execution and Delivery of Receipts. Upon receipt by any Custodian of any deposit pursuant to Section 2.02 hereunder (and in addition, if the CHESS Subregister of the CUFS Depositary (or the appointed agent or agents of the CUFS Depositary for transfer and registration of the CUFS) are open, or if the Depositary so requires, a proper acknowledgment or other evidence from the CUFS Depositary (or appointed agent or agents of the CUFS Depositary for transfer and registration of the CUFS) satisfactory to the Depositary that any deposited CUFS have been recorded upon the CHESS Subregister of the CUFS Depositary (or by the appointed agent of the CUFS Depositary for transfer and registration of CUFS), if applicable, in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or such Custodian or its nominee), together with the other documents required as above specified, such Custodian shall notify the Depositary of such deposit and the person or persons to whom or upon whose written order a Receipt or Receipts are deliverable in respect thereof and the number of American Depositary Shares to be evidenced thereby. Such - 9 - notification shall be made by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission. Upon receiving such notice from such Custodian, the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall execute and deliver at its Corporate Trust Office, to or upon the order of the person or persons entitled thereto, a Receipt or Receipts, registered in the name or names and evidencing any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested by such person or persons, but only upon payment to the Depositary of the fees of the Depositary for the execution and delivery of such Receipt or Receipts as provided in Section 5.09, and of all taxes and governmental charges and fees payable in connection with such deposit and the transfer of the deposited CUFS and the issuance of such Receipt or Receipts. SECTION 2.04 Transfer of Receipts; Combination and Split-up of Receipts. The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall register transfers of Receipts on its transfer books from time to time, upon any surrender of a Receipt, by the Owner in person or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, and duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States of America. Thereupon the Depositary shall execute a new Receipt or Receipts and deliver the same to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto. The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered. - 10 - The Depositary may appoint one or more co-transfer agents for the purpose of effecting transfers, combinations and split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the Depositary. In carrying out its functions, a co-transfer agent may require evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements by Owners or persons entitled to Receipts and will be entitled to protection and indemnity to the same extent as the Depositary. SECTION 2.05 Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of CUFS. Upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of a Receipt for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, and upon payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts as provided in Section 5.09 and payment of all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such surrender and withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Owner of such Receipt shall be entitled to (i) with respect to the CUFS or other uncertificated Deposited Securities held through CHESS evidenced by such Receipt, instruct the Depositary to procure the electronic transfer through CHESS of such CUFS or such other uncertificated Deposited Securities to an account in the name of the Owner or such other name as the Owner may direct and (ii) physical delivery, to or upon the order of such Owner, of any other Deposited Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt. Delivery of such other Deposited Securities, if applicable, may be made by the delivery of (a) certificates in the name of such Owner or as ordered by him or by certificates properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer to such Owner or as ordered by him and (b) any other securities, property and cash to which such Owner is then entitled in respect of such Receipts to such Owner or as ordered by him. Such delivery shall be made, as hereinafter provided, without unreasonable delay. - 11 - A Receipt surrendered for such purposes may be required by the Depositary to be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank, and if the Depositary so requires, the Owner thereof shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to (i) cause the electronic transfer of the CUFS represented by such Receipt to be recorded in an account in the name of the Owner or such other name as the Owner may direct and (ii) cause any other Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in such order. Thereupon the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to deliver at the Australian office or account, as applicable, of such Custodian, subject to Sections 2.06, 3.01 and 3.02 and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as above provided, the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, except that the Depositary may make delivery to such person or persons at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of any dividends or distributions with respect to the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, or of any proceeds of sale of any dividends, distributions or rights, which may at the time be held by the Depositary. At the request, risk and expense of any Owner so surrendering a Receipt, and for the account of such Owner, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward any cash or other property (other than rights) comprising, and forward a certificate or certificates, if applicable, and other proper documents of title for, the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt to the Depositary for delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Owner, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission. - 12 - SECTION 2.06 Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer and Surrender of Receipts. As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination or surrender of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary, the Issuer, the CUFS Depositary, Custodian or Registrar may require payment from the depositor of CUFS or the presentor of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to CUFS being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees as herein provided, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with any regulations the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, including, without limitation, this Section 2.06. The delivery of Receipts against deposits of CUFS generally or against deposits of particular CUFS may be suspended, or the transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of outstanding Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary are closed, or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary, the Issuer, or the CUFS Depositary at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission, or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason, subject to the provisions of Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts, the surrender of outstanding Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities may not be suspended subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Issuer or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders' meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign - 13 - laws or governmental regulations relating to the Receipts or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any CUFS if such CUFS, or the Shares underlying such CUFS, would be required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such CUFS or Shares as applicable. SECTION 2.07 Lost Receipts, etc. In case any Receipt shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt of like tenor in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt upon cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt. Before the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt in substitution for a destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, the Owner thereof shall have (a) filed with the Depositary (i) a request for such execution and delivery before the Depositary has notice that the Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser and (ii) a sufficient indemnity bond and (b) satisfied any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary. SECTION 2.08 Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts. All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary shall be cancelled by the Depositary. The Depositary is authorized to destroy Receipts so cancelled. SECTION 2.09 Pre-Release of Receipts. Notwithstanding Section 2.03 hereof, the Depositary may execute and deliver Receipts prior to the receipt of CUFS pursuant to Section 2.02 ("Pre-Release"). The Depositary may, pursuant to Section 2.05, deliver CUFS upon the receipt and cancellation of Receipts which have been Pre-Released, whether or not such cancellation is prior to the termination of such Pre-Release or the Depositary knows that such Receipt has been Pre-Released. The Depositary may receive Receipts in lieu of CUFS in - 14 - satisfaction of a Pre-Release. Each Pre-Release will be (a) preceded or accompanied by a written representation from the person to whom Receipts are to be delivered that such person, or its customer, owns the CUFS or Receipts to be remitted, as the case may be, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash or such other collateral as the Depositary deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days notice, and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The number of American Depositary Shares which are outstanding at any time as a result of Pre-Releases will not normally exceed thirty percent (30%) of the CUFS deposited hereunder; provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in connection with the foregoing. ARTICLE 3. CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS OF RECEIPTS. SECTION 3.01 Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any person presenting CUFS for deposit or any Owner of a Receipt may be required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval, or such information relating to the registration on the CHESS Subregister if applicable, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as the Depositary may deem necessary or proper. The Depositary may withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution of any dividend or sale or distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed or such representations and warranties made. - 15 - SECTION 3.02 Liability of Owner for Taxes. If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable with respect to any Receipt or any Deposited Securities represented by any Receipt, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner of such Receipt to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to effect any transfer of such Receipt or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt until such payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions, or may sell for the account of the Owner thereof any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, and may apply such dividends or other distributions or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge and the Owner of such Receipt shall remain liable for any deficiency. SECTION 3.03 Warranties on Deposit of Shares. Every person depositing CUFS under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that such CUFS are validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of any pre-emptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares and that the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do. Every such person shall also be deemed to represent that the deposit of such CUFS and the sale of Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such CUFS by that person are not restricted under the Securities Act of 1933. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of CUFS and issuance of Receipts. ARTICLE 4. THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES. SECTION 4.01 Cash Distributions. Whenever the Depositary shall receive any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, subject to the provisions of Section 4.05, convert such dividend or distribution into Dollars if such cash dividend or - 16 - other cash distribution is not received in Dollars and shall distribute the amount thus received (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09 hereof, if applicable) to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively; provided, however, that in the event that the Issuer, the CUFS Depositary, the Custodian, or the Depositary shall be required to withhold and does withhold from such cash dividend or such other cash distribution an amount on account of taxes, the amount distributed to the Owner of the Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Owner a fraction of one cent. Any such fractional amounts shall be rounded to the nearest whole cent and so distributed to Owners entitled thereto. The Issuer or its agent will remit to the appropriate governmental agency in The Netherlands all amounts withheld and owing to such agency. The Depositary will forward to the Issuer or the CUFS Depositary such information from its records as the Issuer or the CUFS Depositary may reasonably request to enable the Issuer or the CUFS Depositary to file necessary reports with governmental agencies, and the Depositary or the Issuer or the CUFS Depositary may file any such reports necessary to obtain benefits under the applicable tax treaties for the Owners of Receipts. SECTION 4.02 Distributions Other Than Cash, CUFS or Rights. Subject to the provisions of Section 4.11 and Section 5.09, whenever the Depositary shall receive any distribution other than a distribution described in Sections 4.01, 4.03 or 4.04, the Depositary shall cause the securities or property received by it to be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, in any manner that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such distribution; provided, however, that if in the opinion of the Depositary such - 17 - distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners entitled thereto, or if for any other reason (including, but not limited to, any requirement that the Issuer, the CUFS Depositary or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges or that such securities must be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 in order to be distributed to Owners or holders) the Depositary deems such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may adopt such method as it may deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09) shall be distributed by the Depositary to the Owners entitled thereto as in the case of a distribution received in cash. Any distributions received by the Depositary and not distributed to the Owners entitled thereto or sold as provided in this Section 4.02 shall be deemed to be Deposited Securities and shall be represented by such Owner's Receipts. SECTION 4.03 Distributions in CUFS. If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities or any securities of the Issuer represented by any Deposited Securities results in a dividend in, or free distribution of, CUFS, the Depositary may distribute to the Owners of outstanding Receipts entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, additional Receipts evidencing an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of CUFS received as such dividend or free distribution, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of CUFS and the issuance of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts, including the withholding of any tax or other governmental charge as provided in Section 4.11 and the payment of fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09. In lieu of delivering Receipts for fractional American Depositary Shares in any such case, the Depositary shall sell the amount of - 18 - CUFS represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.01. If additional Receipts are not so distributed, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional CUFS distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby. SECTION 4.04 Rights. In the event that the Issuer shall offer or cause to be offered to the holders of any Deposited Securities, or any securities of the Issuer represented by any Deposited Securities, any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or any rights of any other nature, the Depositary shall have discretion as to the procedure to be followed in making such rights available to any Owners or in disposing of such rights on behalf of any Owners and making the net proceeds available to such Owners or, if by the terms of such rights offering or for any other reason, the Depositary may not either make such rights available to any Owners or dispose of such rights and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall allow the rights to lapse. If at the time of the offering of any rights the Depositary determines in its discretion that it is lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all Owners or to certain Owners but not to other Owners, the Depositary may distribute to any Owner to whom it determines the distribution to be lawful and feasible, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by such Owner, warrants or other instruments therefor in such form as it deems appropriate. In circumstances in which rights would otherwise not be distributed, if an Owner of Receipts requests the distribution of warrants or other instruments in order to exercise the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares of such Owner hereunder, the Depositary will make such rights available to such Owner upon written notice from the Issuer to the Depositary that (a) the Issuer has elected in its sole discretion to permit -19- such rights to be exercised and (b) such Owner has executed such documents as the Issuer has determined in its sole discretion are reasonably required under applicable law. If the Depositary has distributed warrants or other instruments for rights to all or certain Owners, then upon instruction from such an Owner pursuant to such warrants or other instruments to the Depositary from such Owner to exercise such rights, upon payment by such Owner to the Depositary for the account of such Owner of an amount equal to the purchase price of the relevant security to be received upon the exercise of the rights, and upon payment of the fees of the Depositary and any other charges as set forth in such warrants or other instruments, the Depositary shall, on behalf of such Owner, exercise the rights and purchase the relevant security, and the Issuer shall cause the relevant security, if Shares, to be delivered to the CUFS Depositary on behalf of such Owner with instructions to issue CUFS representing such Shares and deliver them to the Custodian. As agent for such Owner, the Depositary will cause such CUFS to be deposited pursuant to Section 2.02 of this Deposit Agreement, and shall, pursuant to Section 2.03 of this Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver Receipts to such Owner. In the case of a distribution pursuant to the second paragraph of this section, such Receipts shall be legended in accordance with applicable U.S. laws, and shall be subject to the appropriate restrictions on sale, deposit, cancellation, and transfer under such laws. If the Depositary determines in its discretion that it is not lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all or certain Owners, it may sell the rights, warrants or other instruments in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by the Owners to whom it has determined it may not lawfully or feasibly make such rights available, and allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09 and all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such rights and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement) for the account of such Owners otherwise entitled to such rights, warrants or -20- other instruments, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise. The Depositary will not offer rights to Owners unless both the rights and the securities to which such rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to a distribution to Owners or are registered under the provisions of such Act. If an Owner of Receipts requests distribution of warrants or other instruments, notwithstanding that there has been no such registration under such Act, the Depositary shall not effect such distribution unless it has received an opinion from recognized counsel in the United States for the Issuer upon which the Depositary may rely that such distribution to such Owner is exempt from such registration. The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such rights available to Owners in general or any Owner in particular. SECTION 4.05 Conversion of Foreign Currency. Whenever the Depositary shall receive foreign currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the foreign currency so received can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, such foreign currency into Dollars, and such Dollars shall be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto or, if the Depositary shall have distributed any warrants or other instruments which entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, then to the holders of such warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation. Such distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners on -21- account of exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses of conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09. If such conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary shall file such application for approval or license, if any, as it may deem desirable. If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgment any foreign currency received by the Depositary is not convertible on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof which is required for such conversion is denied or in the opinion of the Depositary is not obtainable, or if any such approval or license is not obtained within a reasonable period as determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may distribute the foreign currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such foreign currency) received by the Depositary to, or in its discretion may hold such foreign currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same. If any such conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for distribution to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion make such conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent permissible to the Owners entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold such balance uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled thereto. SECTION 4.06 Fixing of Record Date. Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable or any distribution other than cash shall be made, or whenever rights shall be -22- issued with respect to the Deposited Securities or any securities of the Issuer represented by any Deposited Securities, or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of CUFS that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of holders of CUFS or the Shares underlying the CUFS or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix a record date which date shall, to the extent practicable, be the same date as the record date set with respect to the Shares, if any, (a) for the determination of the Owners who shall be (i) entitled to receive such dividend, distribution or rights or the net proceeds of the sale thereof or (ii) entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or (b) on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed number of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.01 through 4.05 and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Owners on such record date shall be entitled, as the case may be, to receive the amount distributable by the Depositary with respect to such dividend or other distribution or such rights or the net proceeds of sale thereof in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively and to give voting instructions and to act in respect of any other such matter. SECTION 4.07 Voting of Deposited Securities. Upon receipt of notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or Deposited Securities, if requested in writing by the Issuer, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, mail to the Owners a notice, the form of which notice shall be in the sole discretion of the Depositary, which shall contain (a) such information as is contained in such notice of meeting received from the CUFS Depositary or the Issuer, and (b) a statement that the Owners as of the close of business on a specified record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable provision of Netherlands law and of the Articles of Association of the Issuer, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the number of Shares represented by CUFS or other Deposited -23- Securities represented by their respective American Depositary Shares and (c) a statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given. Upon the written request of an Owner on such record date, received on or before the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, (the "Instruction Date") the Depositary shall endeavor, in so far as practicable, to instruct, or cause the Custodian to instruct, the CUFS Depositary to vote or cause to be voted, the Shares underlying the CUFS in accordance with the instructions received by the Depositary from Owners. The Depositary shall not instruct, or cause the Custodian to instruct, the CUFS Depositary to vote the Shares other than in accordance with such Owner's instructions. There can be no assurance that Owners generally or any Owner in particular will receive the notice described in the preceding paragraph sufficiently prior to the Instruction Date to ensure that the Depositary will have enough time to instruct the CUFS Depositary to vote or that the CUFS Depositary will vote the Shares in accordance with the provisions set forth in the preceding paragraph. SECTION 4.08 Changes Affecting Deposited Securities. In circumstances where the provisions of Section 4.03 do not apply, upon any change in nominal value, change in par value, split-up, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities or Shares represented by Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Issuer or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for or in conversion of or in respect of Deposited Securities, shall be treated as new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement, and American Depositary Shares shall thenceforth represent the new Deposited Securities so received in exchange or conversion, unless additional Receipts are delivered pursuant to the following sentence. In any such case the Depositary may, and shall if the Issuer shall so request, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a distribution of -24- Shares which results in the issuance of CUFS, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing such new Deposited Securities. SECTION 4.09 Reports. The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Owners at its Corporate Trust Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting material, received from the Issuer or the CUFS Depositary which are both (a) received by the Depositary and the Custodian as the holder of the Deposited Securities or by the CUFS Depositary as the holder of Shares underlying the CUFS and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities or of the Shares underlying the CUFS by the Issuer or the CUFS Depositary. The Depositary shall also, upon written request, send to the Owners copies of such reports furnished by the Issuer pursuant to Section 5.06. Any such reports and communications, including any such proxy soliciting material, furnished to the Depositary by the Issuer shall be furnis