EU Court denies legal privilege for company lawyers in EU matters

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, September 17, 2007 - Akzo Nobel has today announced the outcome of a court case held in Luxembourg to pass judgment on a number of procedural matters, including the important issue of legal privilege of in-house company lawyers. The case was brought before the EU Court of First Instance to provide clarity on a range of procedural matters raised during an investigation by the European Commission at Akzo Nobel premises in 2003, when internal company memos were seized. The court today confirmed current case law which states that in-house lawyers may not invoke, under EC competition law, legal privilege in their communications to their in-house clients. This means that companies are not able to keep the legal advice from their in-house lawyers - even if they are members of the bar - confidential from the European Commission. The ruling has no bearing on any substantive pending cases involving Akzo Nobel and therefore has no financial or other substantive impact on Akzo Nobel. Akzo Nobel is studying the court's ruling and will issue a response in due course should it be deemed appropriate. - - - Note to editors Akzo Nobel is a Fortune Global 500 company and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. It is also included on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes and FTSE4Good Index. Based in the Netherlands, we are a multicultural organization serving customers throughout the world with coatings, chemicals and human and animal healthcare products. We employ around 62,000 people and conduct our activities in these four segments, with operating subsidiaries in more than 80 countries. Consolidated revenues for 2006 totaled EUR 13.7 billion. The financial results for the third quarter will be published on October, 23, 2007. Internet: www.akzonobel.com Not for publication - for more information Akzo Nobel nv Corporate Media Relations, tel. +31 20 502 7833 Contact: Tim van der Zanden Safe Harbor Statement* This press release may contain statements which address such key issues as Akzo Nobel's growth strategy, future financial results, market positions, product development, pharmaceutical products in the pipeline, and product approvals. Such statements should be carefully considered, and it should be understood that many factors could cause forecasted and actual results to differ from these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, progress of drug development, clinical testing and regulatory approval, developments in raw material and personnel costs, pensions, physical and environmental risks, legal issues, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by information provided by specialized external agencies. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risk factors affecting our business please see our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of which can be found on the company's corporate website www.akzonobel.com. * Pursuant to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995.