Air Liquide America Electronics Achieves ISO 9001:2000 Standard; Five Sites Added Under ISO 9001:2000 Scope.

Business Editors

HOUSTON & DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 16, 2004

Air Liquide America's Electronics business unit has successfully completed the transition audit from the ISO 9002:1994 Standard to the new International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2000 Standard. DNV Certification, Inc., an accredited third-party registrar, verified compliance of the business unit's Quality Management System to the requirements of the updated standard. The scope of the three-year registration covers all aspects of Air Liquide's complete offering to the semiconductor industry.

These successful reviews resulted in the addition of five sites under the ISO certification. Air Liquide Balazs Analytical Services laboratories in Dallas and Fremont, Calif., were also accredited with the prestigious ISO 17025 certification, specific to analytical labs.

Based in Dallas, the Electronics division of Air Liquide America provides products and services to the North American semiconductor industry, including Total Gas and Chemical Management (TGCM); Air Liquide Balazs(TM) Analytical Services; equipment and installation; chemical management operations, and, research and development at locations nationwide. The U.S. Electronics division employs 600 employees.

Said Rich Jahr, Vice President, Air Liquide America Electronics: "By meeting the more stringent requirements of ISO 9001:2000, Air Liquide reaffirms its dedication to the principles of continuous improvement and its commitment to provide creative solutions through technology and differentiated products and services to our customers. It's an outstanding achievement by our team of dedicated professionals, and our greatest satisfaction occurs when our customers recognize the real difference in the level of service we provide."

About Air Liquide

Present in 65 countries, Air Liquide is the world leader in industrial and medical gases and related services. The Group offers innovative solutions based on constantly enhanced technologies. These solutions, which are in line with Air Liquide's commitment to sustainable development, help to protect life and enable our customers to manufacture many indispensable everyday products. Founded in 1902, Air Liquide has more than 31,900 employees. The Group has successfully developed a long-term relationship with its shareholders built on confidence and transparency and guided by the principles of corporate governance. Since the publication of its first consolidated financial statements in 1971, Air Liquide has posted strong and steady earnings growth. Sales in 2003 totaled 8,394 million euros, of which sales outside France accounted almost 80%. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and is a component of the CAC 40 and EuroStoxx 50 indexes (ISIN code FR 0000120073).

About ISO

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies from more than 140 countries, one from each country. Its ISO 9001:2000 standard specifies requirements for a quality management system for any organization that needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide product that meets customer and applicable regulatory requirements and aims to enhance customer satisfaction.