REPORT OF MANAGEMENT ON THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Shareholders The Sherwin-Williams Company We are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements, accompanying notes and related financial information included in this report of The Sherwin-Williams Company and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 and for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The consolidated financial information included in this report contains certain amounts that were based upon our best estimates, judgments and assumptions that we believe were reasonable under the circumstances. We have conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As discussed in the Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, we concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2004. The Board of Directors pursues its responsibility for the oversight of the Company’s accounting policies and procedures, financial statement preparation and internal control over financial reporting through the Audit Committee, comprised exclusively of independent directors. The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment and compensation of the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee meets at least quarterly with financial management, internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm to review the adequacy of financial controls, the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and the nature, extent and results of the audit effort. Both the internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm have private and confidential access to the Audit Committee at all times. We believe that the consolidated financial statements, accompanying notes and related financial information included in this report fairly reflect the form and substance of all material financial transactions and fairly present,  in all material respects, the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows as of and for the periods presented. C. M. Connor Chairman and Chief Executive Officer S. P. Hennessy Senior Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer J. L. Ault Vice President - Corporate Controller 37