Rio Tinto prepares reports and financial statements to give a true and fair view of our affairs.

Substance rather than form is a fundamental principle of Rio Tinto's reporting. We approach financial and non financial matters with similar rigour.

Our internal control system reviews financial, operational and compliance controls as well as risk management procedures. This is consistent with a responsible assessment and mitigation of risks to provide reasonable assurance against material misstatement or loss.

Each year, the leaders of Group businesses complete a detailed questionnaire to confirm that Rio Tinto's internal controls are operating effectively throughout the Group. We use the most appropriate accounting and reporting policies, consistently applied and supported by reasonable and prudent judgements. We prepare financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Rio Tinto requires directors, senior management, financial managers and other staff who exercise judgement in preparing financial statements to conduct themselves with integrity and honesty and in accordance with the ethical standards of their profession or business.

Anyone who becomes aware of or suspects any violation of our obligations should, and is encouraged to, report the facts or their suspicions to senior management or to Rio Tinto's Audit committee as appropriate, directly or through Rio Tinto's Speak-Out programme.