APPLE INC.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Apple Inc. (the “Corporation”) has adopted these
governance guidelines. The guidelines, in conjunction with the Corporation’s articles of
incorporation, bylaws, and the charters of the committees of the Board, form the framework of
governance of the Corporation. The governance structure of the Corporation is designed to be a
working structure for principled actions, effective decision-making and appropriate monitoring
of both compliance and performance.
I. THE ROLE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board oversees the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and other senior
management in the competent and ethical operation of the Corporation on a day-to-day basis and
assures that the long-term interests of the shareholders are being served. To satisfy its duties,
directors are expected to take a proactive, focused approach to their position, and set standards to
ensure that the Corporation is committed to business success through the maintenance of high
standards of responsibility and ethics.
II. DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing the
qualifications of potential director candidates and recommending to the Board those candidates
to be nominated for election to the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee will consider the individual’s background, skills and abilities, and whether such
characteristics qualify the individual to fulfill the needs of the Board at that time. The Board
should monitor the mix of skills and experience of its directors in order to assure that the Board
has the necessary tools to perform its oversight function effectively. Shareholders also may
nominate directors for election at the Corporation’s annual meeting of shareholders by following
the provisions set forth in the Corporation’s bylaws, whose qualifications the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee will consider. Candidates should be selected for, among other
things, their independence, character, ability to exercise sound judgment, diversity, age,
demonstrated leadership, skills, including financial literacy, and experience in the context of the
needs of the Board.
III. DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
It is the policy of the Corporation that the Board consist of at least a majority of
independent directors who either meet or exceed the independence requirements of the
NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”). The Board will consider all relevant facts and
circumstances in making a determination of independence for each director and may consider, as
appropriate, imposing independence requirements more stringent than those required by
NASDAQ.