6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

Report of Foreign Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of May, 2005

CIBA SPECIALTY CHEMICALS HOLDING INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Klybeckstrasse 141

4002 Basel

Switzerland

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)

Form 20-F     x   Form 40-F __

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)

Yes ___ No   x  

(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b))

CIBA SPECIALTY CHEMICALS HOLDING INC.

On May 17, 2005, Ciba Specialty Chemicals Holding Inc. ("Ciba"), a stock corporation, received confirmation that the filing of the notarial deed (including the Amended Articles of Association) had been entered into the diary of the commercial register in Basel, Switzerland. As such, the capital reduction of the par value of Ciba's shares from CHF 3 per share to CHF 1 per share had been consummated and the associated payment to the shareholders of CHF 2 per share will be paid on May 18, 2005 (see attached notice). A report of the statutory auditors prepared by Ernst & Young Ltd. was also filed with the commercial register. A copy of English translations of the Amended Articles of Association, Ernst & Young Ltd. report, notice to the Swiss Exchange and a copy of the Swiss commercial register are attached hereto as Exhibits 3.1, 99.1, 99.2 and 99.3, respectively, and incorporated by reference herein.

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     EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit	Description
3.1	English Translation of the Amended Articles of Association
99.1	English Translation of Ernst & Young Ltd. Report of the Statutory Auditors
99.2	English Translation of the Swiss Exchange Notice
99.3	Swiss Commercial Register

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

  Ciba Specialty Chemicals Holding Inc.

    (Registrant)

Date May 18, 2005	By /s/ Oliver Strub	/s/ Max Dettwiler
	Oliver Strub	Max Dettwiler
	Head Corporate Law	Head Taxes, Corporate Law & Insurance

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EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

                                                                                                                                            P. 1.e.

Articles of Association

Ciba Specialty Chemicals Holding Inc.

dated March 3, 2005

Translation. The German version is legally binding

		Section 1: Name, Registered Office, Purpose and Duration
		Article 1
Name, Registered Office		Under the name
		Ciba Spezialitätenchemie Holding AG Ciba Spécialités Chimiques Holding SA Ciba Specialty Chemicals Holding Inc.
		there exists a corporation with its registered office in Basel.
		Article 2
Purpose	1	Purpose of the Company is the acquisition, holding and disposition of enterprises which - among others - are active in the area of specialty chemicals.
	2	The Company may acquire, mortgage, liquidate or sell real estate and intellectual property rights in Switzerland or abroad and finance other companies.
		Article 3
Duration		The duration of the Company is unlimited.

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		Section 2: Share Capital Article 4
Share capital	1	The share capital of the Company is CHF 69,064,617, fully paid in and divided into 69,064,617 registered shares. Each share has a par value of CHF 1.
	2	Upon resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders registered shares may be converted into bearer shares and bearer shares may be converted into registered shares.
	3	Until February 26, 2006 the Board of Directors is authorized to increase the share capital by the issue of a maximum of 4 million fully paid up registered shares of CHF 1 nominal value each amounting to a maximum of CHF 4 million. Staggered increases are permitted. The exercise of preferential subscription rights acquired by contract as well as the purchase of newly issued registered shares are subject to the transfer restrictions according to article 5 of the Articles of Association. The issue price, the date of the entitlement to the dividend and the details of a contribution in kind, if applicable, will be determined by the Board of Directors. The new shares will be placed with the existing shareholders. The placement can be made through one or more banks, which underwrite the new shares. Furthermore, the Board of Directors is authorized to exclude the preferential subscription rights of the shareholders and to allot them to third parties in case the new shares are used in connection with a take-over of a business, parts of a business or participations or in connection with the financing of such a transaction. Shares for which subscription rights have been allotted but which were not exercised may be used by the Board of Directors in the interest of the Company.

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4 The share capital will be increased by the issue of a maximum of 4 million fully paid up registered shares of CHF 1 nominal value each amounting to a maximum of CHF 4 million through the exercise of option rights or conversion rights which the Company or one of its subsidiaries may grant on a stand-alone basis or in connection with bond issues or other debt financing. The preferential subscription rights of the shareholders are excluded. The acquisition of registered shares through the exercise of option or convertible rights as well as the transfer of the registered shares are subject to the transfer restrictions according to article 5 of the Articles of Association.   The placement of the option or convertible rights may be made through one or more banks, which underwrite the issue. The Board of Directors is authorized to exclude the advance subscription rights of the shareholders in case the option or convertible rights are used in connection with a takeover of a business, parts of a business or participations or in connection with the financing of such a transaction. In this case the structure, the term, the amount of the bond issue or other debt financing, if any, as well as the conditions of the option or convertible rights are to be determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with the market conditions prevailing at the time of the issue of the rights. Option or convertible rights shall be exercisable for a maximum period of 10 years.  

5 The share capital will be increased by the issue of a maximum of 2 million fully paid up registered shares of CHF 1 nominal value each amounting to a maximum of CHF 2 million through the exercise of option or convertible rights which have been allotted to employees of the Company or its subsidiaries. The preferential subscription rights of the shareholders are excluded. The acquisition of registered shares through the exercise of option or convertible rights as well as the transfer of the registered shares are subject to the transfer restrictions according to article 5 of the Articles of Association.   The placement of the option or convertible rights can be made through the Company or one of its subsidiaries or through one or more banks which underwrite the issue. The advance subscription rights of the shareholders are excluded. The conditions of the option or convertible rights are to be determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with the market conditions prevailing at the time of the issue, however, for employees a discount of a maximum of 20% on the market rate may be provided for.

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		Article 5
Share register and restrictions of registration, Nominees	1	The Company shall maintain a share register showing the name, first name, address and nationality (in the case of legal entities the registered office) of the holders or usufructuaries of registered shares.
	2	Upon request acquirers of registered shares are registered in the share register as shareholders with the right to vote, provided that they declare explicitly to have acquired the registered shares in their own name and for their own account. Subject to the restrictions set forth in para. 6 of this article, no person or entity shall be registered with the right to vote for more than 2% of the registered share capital as set forth in the commercial register. This restriction of registration also applies to persons who hold some or all of their shares through nominees pursuant to this article. All of the foregoing is subject to Article 685d para. 3 of the Swiss Code of Obligations.
	3	The Board of Directors shall register any person in the share register with the right to vote up to 2% of the registered share capital set forth in the commercial register if such person does not explicitly declare to hold the shares for its own account in its request for registration (hereinafter the “Nominees”). Registered shares held by a Nominee that exceed this limit are only registered in the share register if such Nominee discloses the names, addresses and the number of shares of those persons for whose account it holds the shares. The Board of Directors may enter into agreements with Nominees concerning the regulation of the duty to notify.
	4	Legal entities and partnerships or other groups of persons or joint owners who are interrelated to one another through capital ownership, voting rights, uniform management or otherwise linked as well as individuals or legal entities and partnerships who act in concert to circumvent the regulations concerning the limitation for registration in the share register or the Nominees (especially as syndicate), shall be treated as one single person or Nominee within the meaning of para. 2 and 3 of this article.

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5	After hearing the registered shareholder or Nominee, the Board of Directors may cancel registrations in the share register with retroactive effect as of the date of registration if such registrations were made based on incorrect information. The respective shareholder or Nominee shall be informed immediately of the cancellation of the registration.
6	The Board of Directors shall specify the details and give the necessary orders concerning the adherence to the preceding regulations. In particular cases it may allow exemptions from the limitation for registration in the share register or the regulation concerning Nominees. It may delegate its duties.
7	The limitation for registration in the share register set forth in this article shall also apply to shares which are subscribed for or acquired through the exercise of pre-emptive rights, options or conversion rights.
8	No person shall vote own and represented shares in an amount exceeding 5% of the aggregate share capital at any vote taken at a general meeting of shareholders. Persons who are interrelated to one another through capital ownership, voting rights, uniform management or who are otherwise linked as well as individuals or legal entities and partnerships who act in concert to circumvent the regulations concerning the limitation on the exercise of voting rights (especially as a syndicate), shall be treated as one single person. Under special circumstances, the Board of Directors may provide for exceptions to this rule. This limitation, however, does not apply for depositaries (Depotvertreter), corporate bodies (Organvertreter), independent proxies (unabhängige Stimmrechtsvertreter) according to article 689c Swiss Code of Obligations and for Nominees complying with their duty to notify according to article 5 para. 3.

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		Article 6
Share certificates		The Company may issue certificates representing several shares. They may be exchanged at any time for smaller portions or individual share certificates.
		Article 7
Dematerialized shares	1	The Company may forego the printing and delivery of certificates and may, with the consent of the owner of issued shares, cancel issued certificates for registered shares that are returned to the Company. It may forego the issuance of new certificates for registered shares if the owner of the shares does not demand the issuance of certificates for its shares with the cooperation of the bank which handles the book entries.
	2	Registered shares not represented by a certificate may only be transferred by way of assignment which assignment must encompass all rights connected with the transferred shares. To be valid, the assignment must be notified to the Company. Registered shares not represented by a certificate which a bank has been instructed by the shareholder to administer may only be transferred with the cooperation of that bank.
	3	Registered shares not represented by a certificate may only be pledged to the bank which handles the book entries of such shares for the shareholder, and only based on a written pledge agreement. A notification of the Company is not necessary. The right to require delivery of a certificate may be transferred to the bank accepting the pledge. In all other cases, the pledge of registered shares requires the transfer of the certificates to be valid.
		Article 8
Exercise of rights	1	The shares are not dividable. The Company accepts only one representative per share.

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	2	The right to vote and the other rights associated with a registered share may only be exercised by a shareholder, usufructuary or Nominee who is registered in the share register.
		Section 3: Corporate Bodies A. General Meeting of Shareholders
		Article 9
Power		The General Meeting of Shareholders is the supreme body of the Company.
		Article 10
Ordinary General Meeting		The Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders shall be held each year within six months after the close of the fiscal year of the Company; at the latest twenty days before the meeting the business report and the report of the auditors shall be made available for inspection by the shareholders at the registered office of the Company.
		Article 11
Extraordinary General Meetings	1	Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders shall take place upon request of the Board of Directors or the Auditors.
	2	Furthermore, Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders shall be convened upon resolution of a General Meeting of Shareholders or if it is required by one or more shareholders who are representing in the aggregate not less than one tenth of the share capital and submit a petition signed by such shareholder or shareholders specifying the items for the agenda and the proposals.

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		Article 12
Convening of General Meetings	1	General Meetings of Shareholders shall be convened by the Board of Directors at the latest twenty days before the date of the meeting. The meeting shall be convened by way of a notice appearing once in the official publication media of the Company. Registered shareholders may also be informed by mail.
	2	The notice of a meeting shall state the items on the agenda and the proposals of the Board of Directors and of the shareholders who demanded that a General Meeting of Shareholders be convened or that an item be included on the agenda and, in case of elections, the names of the nominated candidates.
		Article 13
Agenda	1	One or more shareholders whose combined shareholdings represent an aggregate nominal value of at least CHF 100,000 may demand that an item be included in the agenda of a General Meeting. Such a demand must be made in writing at the latest sixty days before the meeting and shall specify the items and the proposals of such shareholder.
	2	No resolution shall be passed at a General Meeting on matters for which no proper notice was given. This provision shall not apply to proposals to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting or to initiate a special audit.
		Article 14
Presiding officer, Minutes, Vote counters	1	The General Meeting of Shareholders shall take place at the registered office of the Company, unless the Board of Directors decides otherwise. The Chairman of the Board or in his absence the Vice-Chairman or any other Member of the Board shall take the chair.

2 The presiding officer shall appoint a secretary and the vote counters. The minutes shall be signed by the presiding officer and the secretary.

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		Article 15
Proxies	1	The Board of Directors shall provide for the rules regarding the participation and the representation at the General Meeting.
	2	A shareholder shall only be represented by his legal representative, another shareholder with the right to vote, corporate bodies (Organvertreter), independent proxies (unabhängige Stimmrechtsvertreter) or by a depositary (Depotvertreter).
	3	The exercise of the voting rights is governed by article 5 para. 8 of these Articles of Association.
		Article 16
Voting rights		Each share entitles to one vote.
		Article 17
Resolutions, Elections	1	Unless the law requires otherwise, the General Meeting passes resolutions and elections with the absolute majority of the votes represented.
	2	Resolutions and elections shall be taken on a show of hands, unless the General Meeting decides for, or the presiding officer orders, a secret ballot.
	3	The presiding officer may at any time order to repeat an election or resolution taken on a show of hands with a secret ballot, if he doubts the results of the vote. In this case, the preceding election or resolution taken on a show of hands is deemed not to have occurred.

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	4	If no election has taken place at the first ballot and if there is more that one candidate, the presiding officer shall order a second ballot in which the relative majority shall be decisive.
		Article 18
Specific Powers of the General Meeting		The following powers shall be vested exclusively in the General Meeting:
		a) to adopt and amend the Articles of Association;
		b)to elect the members of the Board of Directors, the auditors and the group auditors and the special auditors which prepare the special audit reports required in connection with capital increases (Articles 652f, 653f and 653i of the Swiss Code of Obligations);
		c)to approve the annual report and the consolidated financial statements;
		d)to approve the annual financial statements and to decide on the allocation of profits shown on the balance sheet, in particular with regard to dividends;
		e)to discharge the members of the Board of Directors and the persons entrusted with the management;
		f)to pass resolutions concerning all matters which by law or the Articles of Association are reserved to the authority of the General Meeting.
		Article 19
Special Quorum		The approval of at least two-thirds of the votes represented is required for resolutions of the General Meeting of Shareholders on:

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	a)an alteration of the purpose of the Company;
	b)the creation of shares with increased voting powers;
	c)restrictions on the transfer of registered shares and the removal of such restrictions as well as on the restriction to vote according to article 5 para. 8 and the removal of such restrictions;
	d)an authorized or conditional increase of the share capital;
	e)an increase of the share capital by conversion of capital surplus, by contribution in kind, for the purpose of an acquisition of property and the grant of special rights;
	f)a restriction or suspension of preemptive rights;
	g)a change of location of the principal office of the Company;
	h)the dissolution of the Company without liquidation.
	B. Board of Directors
	Article 20
Number of Direcotors	The Board of Directors shall consist of a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 9 members, all of which must be shareholders.

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		Article 21
Term of office	1	The term of office for each member of the Board of Directors shall not exceed four years. A year within the meaning of this provision is the period between two Ordinary General Meetings of Shareholders. The term of office shall be determined for each member at the occasion of its election.
	2	Members of the Board of Directors whose term of office has expired shall be re-eligible.
		Article 22
Organization of the Board, Remuneration	1	The Board of Directors shall elect its Chairman and one or more Vice-Chairmen from among its members. It shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the Board of Directors.
	2	The Board of Directors shall determine the remuneration of its members.
		Article 23
Convening of meetings		The Chairman shall convene meetings of the Board of Directors if and when the need arises or if a member so requires in writing.
		Article 24
Resolutions	1	In order to pass resolutions, at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors must be present. This requirement shall not apply for resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the confirmation of capital increases or for the amendment of the Articles of Association in connection with increases of the share capital.
	2	The adoption of resolutions by the Board of Directors requires a majority of the votes cast. The Chairman shall have the deciding vote.

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  3   Resolutions may be passed by circular (in writing) provided a member does not request oral deliberation.  

		Article 25
Powers of the board	1	The Board of Directors has in particular the following non-delegable and inalienable duties:
		a)the ultimate direction of the business of the Company and to give the necessary instructions;
		b)the determination of the organization of the Company;
		c)the administration of accounting, financial control and financial planning;
		d)the appointment and removal of the persons entrusted with the management and representation of the Company;
		e)the ultimate supervision of the persons entrusted with the management of the Company, specifically in view of their compliance with the law, the Articles of Association, regulations and instructions;
		f)the preparation of business reports and the Meetings of Shareholders and to carry out the resolutions adopted by the Meetings of Shareholders;
		g)the notification of the court if liabilities exceed assets;
		h)the adoption of resolutions concerning the increase of the share capital to the extent that such power is vested in the Board of Directors (Art. 651 para. 4 Swiss Code of Obligations), as well as resolutions concerning the confirmation of capital increases and respective amendments to the Articles of Association;

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		i)the examination of the professional qualifications of qualified auditors.
	2	In addition the Board of Directors can pass resolutions with respect to all matters which are not reserved to the authority of the General Meeting of Shareholders by law or by these Articles of Association.
		Article 26
Delegation of powers		The Board of Directors may, subject to article 25 hereof, delegate the management of the Company in whole or in part to individual directors or to third persons (Executive Committee) by virtue of promulgating regulations governing the internal organization.
		Article 27
Signature power		The Board of Directors determines those of its members as well as those third persons who shall have signatory power for the Company and shall further determine the manner in which such persons may sign on behalf of the Company.
		C. Auditors and Group Auditors
		Article 28
Term, Powers and Duties	1	The Auditors and the Group Auditors, both of which shall be elected by the General Meeting of Shareholders each year, shall have the powers and duties vested in them by statutory law.
	2	The General Meeting of Shareholders may elect special auditors which prepare the special audit reports required in connection with capital increases (Articles 652f, 653f and 653i of the Swiss Code of Obligations) for a maximum term of office of three years.
		Section 4: Annual Financial Statements, Consolidated Financial State-ments and Profit Allocation

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		Article 29
Fiscal year		The Board of Directors shall prepare for each fiscal year a business report consisting of the annual financial statements (including profit and loss statements, balance sheet and notes to the financial statements), the annual report and the consolidated financial statements.
		Article 30
Allocation of profit shown on the balance sheet, Reserves	1	The allocation of the profit shown on the balance sheet shall be determined by the General Meeting of Shareholders subject to the provisions of statutory law. The Board of Directors shall submit to the General Meeting of Shareholders its proposals.
	2	In addition to statutory reserves additional reserves may be accrued.
	3	Dividends which have not been claimed within five years after the due date fall back to the Company and shall be allocated to the general reserves.

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		Section 5: Publications and Place of Jurisdiction
		Article 31
Publications		Shareholder communications of the Company shall be made in the Swiss Gazette of Commerce. The Board of Directors may designate additional publication media.
		Article 32
Place of jurisdiction		The place of jurisdiction for any disputes arising from or in connection with the shareholdership in the Company shall be at the registered office of the Company.
		Section 6: Contributions in Kind
		Article 33
Contributions in kind	1	Pursuant to the separation of CIBA-GEIGY AG with its registered office in Basel into a Specialty Chemicals and a Life Sciences Group, the Company has taken over from CIBA-GEIGY AG in Basel - for consideration of the sum of CHF 1,517,543,056 - assets and liabilities relating to the area of specialty chemicals according to the separation balance sheet as of January 1, 1996, according to which the assets assumed amounted to CHF 1,643,543,056 and the liabilities to CHF 126,000,000.
		The purchase price amounting to CHF 1,517,543,056 has corresponded to the net surplus of the assets over the liabilities which were assumed and has been paid to the party contributing in kind: The contributor in kind CIBA-GEIGY AG received 1 fully paid in registered share at a face value of nominal CHF 10                                          CHF 10 Total                                                                                            CHF 10

	The remaining asset surplus of CHF 1,517,543,046 has been credited as agio to the general reserves.
2	Ensuing the capital increase dated December 17, 1996, the Company intends to take over assets and liabilities related to the field of specialty chemicals from CIBA-GEIGY AG in consideration for a maximum amount of CHF 1,477,804,000.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Audit Report

regarding the reduction of the share capital

with balance sheet as of December 31, 2004 of

Ciba Specialty Chemicals Holding Inc., Basel

         Ernst & Young Ltd                   Phone        +41 58 286 31 11

         Assurance & Advisory              Fax            +41 58 286 30 04

         Business Services Industries       www.ey.com/ch

         Brandschenkestrasse 100

         P.O. Box

         CH-8022 Zurich

To the General Meeting of

Ciba Specialty Chemicals Holding Inc., Basel

Zurich, February 11, 2005

Audit report in accordance with Art. 732 CO regarding the

reduction of the share capital

The Board of Directors of Ciba Specialty Chemicals Holding Inc. has engaged us to prepare the audit report on the intended reduction of the share capital.

The balance sheet as of December 31, 2004 and the proposal for the reduction of the share capital are the responsibility of the Board of Directors. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on whether the claims of the creditors are still fully covered after the proposed capital reduction based on our audit. We confirm that we meet the legal requirements concerning professional qualification and independence.

In this case the Board of Directors proposes that the share capital of	CHF212,479,851
divided into 70,826,617 registered shares of nominal CHF 3 per share through cancellation of 1,762,000 registered shares of nominal CHF 3 or in total	CHF    5,286,000
shall be reduced to	CHF207,193,851
Further the Board of Directors proposes that the share capital of	CHF207,193,851
divided into 69,064,617 registered shares of nominal CHF 3 per share through repayment of CHF 2 per share or in total	CHF138,129,234
shall be reduced to	CHF  69,064,617

After the reduction the share capital is divided into 69,064,617 registered shares of a nominal value of CHF 1 each.

The repayment is made in cash.

Our audit was conducted in accordance with auditing standards promulgated by the Swiss profession, which require that an audit be planned and performed to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the evaluation of the full coverage of the creditors after the capital reduction is free from material misstatement. We have performed audit procedures appropriate in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the claims of creditors will still be fully covered after the reduction of the share capital.

Ernst & Young Ltd
Manuel Aeby Swiss Certified Accountant (in charge of the audit)	Patrick Fawer Swiss Certified Accountant

Enclosure:

- Balance sheet as of December 31, 2004, before and after capital reduction.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals Holding Inc., Basel

(all amounts in Swiss francs)

Balance sheet as of	BEFORE share cancellation and capital repayment December 31, 2004		AFTER share cancellation and BEFORE capital repayment December 31, 2004		AFTER share cancellation and AFTER capital repayment December 31, 2004
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		490’101’142.16		490’101’142.16		490’101’142.16
Short-term investments		153’090’028.00		677’028.00		225’676.00
Accounts receivable:		5’016’944.36		5’016’944.36		5’016’944.36
Subsidiaries	4’861’521.74		4’861’521.74		4’861’521.74
Third parties	155’422.62		155’422.62		155’422.62
Prepaid expenses		283’040.01		283’040.01		283’040.01
Total current assets		648’491’154.53		496’078’154.53		495’626’802.53
Loans:		356’445’725.43		356’445’725.43		356’445’725.43
Subsidiaries	340’445’725.43		340’445’725.43		340’445’725.43
Third parties	16’000’000.00		16’000’000.00		16’000’000.00
Financial investments		2’030’751’740.29		2’030’751’740.29		2’030’751’740.29
Other financial assets		2’724’191.82		2’724’191.82		2’724’191.82
Total financial assets		2’389’921’657.54		2’389’921’657.54		2’389’921’657.54
Total long-term assets		2’389’921’657.54		2’389’921’657.54		2’389’921’657.54
Total assets		3’038’412’812.07		2’885’999’812.07		2’885’548’460.07
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Short-term liabilities:		70’920’058.02		70’920’058.02		208’597’940.02
Subsidiaries	54’456’826.62		54’456’826.62		54’456’826.62
Third parties	16’463’231.40		16’463’231.40		16’463’231.40
Shareholders	0.00		0.00		137’677’882.00
Short-term accrued liabilities		13’770’216.79		13’770’216.79		13’770’216.79
Long-term bonds		300’000’000.00		300’000’000.00		300’000’000.00
Long-term accrued liabilities		126’000’000.00		126’000’000.00		126’000’000.00
Total liabilities		510’690’274.81		510’690’274.81		648’368’156.81
Common stock		212’479’851.00		207’193’851.00		69’064’617.00
Legal reserves:		1’659’108’279.05		1’511’981’279.05		1'511'981'279.05
General reserve	1’419’828’788.60		1’435’284’653.05		1’435’284’653.05
Treasury stock reserve	239’279’490.45		76’696’626.00		76’696’626.00
Retained earnings brought forward		656’134’407.21		656’134’407.21		656’134’407.21
Retained earnings of previous year	635’492’731.75		635’492’731.75		635’492’731.75
Profit for the year	20’641’675.46		20’641’675.46		20’641’675.46
Total shareholders’ equity		2'527’722’537.26		2’375’309’537.26		2’237’180’303.26
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		3’038’412’812.07		2’885’999’812.07		2’885’548’460.07

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

Offizielle Mitteilung

Nr.: l

Titel: Aktiennennwertreduktion von CHF 3 um CHF 2 auf CHF 1 und Vernichtung von 1'762’000 Aktien

Valoren-Nr.: 581972

ISIN: CH0005819724

Anlässlich der Generalversammlung vom 3. März 2005 haben die Aktionäre der Ciba Spezialitätenchemie Holding AG ("Gesellschaft") dem Antrag des Verwaltungsrats zugestimmt, wonach der Nennwert aller Namenaktien ("Aktien") der Gesellschaft von CHF 3 um CHF 2 auf CHF 1 herabgesetzt werden soll.

Von dieser Reduktion sind auch das genehmigte Kapital (4 Millionen Aktien à neu CHF 1) und die bedingten Kapitalien (4 Millionen Aktien à neu CHF 1 und 2 Millionen Aktien à dto. neu CHF 1 für Mitarbeiterbeteiligungsprogramme) betroffen.

Ferner haben die Aktionäre der Kapitalherabsetzung durch Vernichtung von 1'762'000 Aktien zugestimmt.

Als Resultat dieser beiden Aktienkapitalherabsetzungen beträgt das Aktienkapital der Gesellschaft neu CHF 69'064’617 (69'064’617 Aktien à CHF 1). Die Eintragung der entsprechenden Statutenänderungen im Handelsregister des Kantons Basel-Stadt erfolgte am 12. Mai 2005.

Die Gesellschaft wird die Auszahlung von CHF 2 pro Aktie am 18. Mai 2005 vornehmen. An diesem Tag wird auch der Handel mit den Aktien à CHF 1 Nennwert aufgenommen, wobei sich Valor (581972) und Ticker (CIBN) gleich bleiben.

Datum: 17. Mai 2005

Bank/Firma: Ciba Spezialitätenchemie Holding AG

Person: Oliver Strub

Telefon: 061 636 7823

[Translation]

Official Notice

Number: to be given by SWX

Subject: Share capital reduction from CHF 3 by CHF 2 to CHF 1 and cancellation of 1,762,000 shares

Security number: 581972

ISIN code: CH0005819724

At the Annual General Meeting on March 3, 2005, the Shareholders of Ciba Specialty Chemicals Holding Inc. (the “Company”) have approved a proposal made by the Board of Directors to reduce the nominal value of each of the outstanding shares ("Shares") of the Company from CHF 3 by CHF 2 to CHF 1.

This reduction also has an impact on the authorized capital (4 million Shares with a new nominal value of CHF 1 each) and the conditional capitals (4 million Shares with a new nominal value of CHF 1 each and 2 million Shares with a new nominal value of CHF 1 each for employee share ownership schemes).

In addition, the shareholders approved the reduction of the Share capital by a cancellation of 1,762,000 Shares.

As a result of these two capital reductions the Share capital now amounts to CHF 69,064,617 (69,064,617 Shares with a nominal value of CHF 1 each). The inscription of the respective amendments to the Company's articles of association in the Commercial Register of the Canton of Basel-Stadt took place on May 12, 2005.

The Company will effect payment of CHF 2 per share on May 18, 2005. On the same day, the trading of the shares with a nominal value of CHF 1 will start, whereby security number (581972) and ticker (CIBN) will remain the same.

Dated: May 17, 2005

Bank/Company: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Holding Inc.

Contact: Oliver Strub

Telephone: 061 636 7823

EX-99.3

Handelsregister des Kantons Basel-Stadt Hauptregister*

Firmennummer   CH-270.3.002.356-5 Rechtsanatur   Aktiengesellschaft Eintragung   24.04.1996 Löschung   Uebertrag Von: Auf:     1

Alle Eintragungen

Ei	Lö		Firma			Ref	Sitz
1 1 4 4	4		Ciba Spezialitätenchemio Holding AG (Ciba Spēcialitēs Chimiques Holding SA) (Ciba Specialty Chemicals Holding Inc.)			1	Basel
Ref	Aktienkapital (CHF)			Liberierung (CHF)	Aktien-Stückclung	Ref	Adresse der Firma
1 4 8 29 30 36 38 41	69’064’617			69’064’617.--	69’064’617 Namenaktien Zu CHF 1.--	1	Klybeckstr. 141 4057 Basel
Ref	PS-Kapital (CHF)			Liberierung (CHF)	Partizipationsscheine
Ei	Lö	Zweck				Ref
1 8	8	Erwerb, Halten und Veräusserung von Unternehmen unter anderem mit Tätigkeitsbereichen auf dem Gebiet der Spezialitätenchemie. Die Gesellschaft kann Liegenschaften und Immaterialgüterrechte erwerben, verwerten und verkaufen sowie andere Gesellschaften finanzieren.
Ei	Lö	Bemerkungen				Ref	Satutendatum
1 8 29 31 1 36 1 38 1 11 1 41	4 1 31	Vinkulierung: Die Übertragbarkeit der Namenaktien ist nach Massgabe der Statuten beschränkt. a Herabsetzung des Nennwerts der 72’130’’117 Namenaktein zu CHF 10.—auf CHF 9.—(Rückzahlung), Beachtung der gesetzlichen Vorschriften gemäss Art. 734 OR durch öffentliche Urkunde vom 05.06.2002 festgestellt. Herabsetzung des Nennwerts der 72’130’117 Namenaktien zu CHF 9.—auf CHF 6.—(Rückzahlung), Beachtung der gesetzlichen Vorschriften gemäss Art. 734 OR durch öffentliche Urkunde vom 15.05.2003 festgestellt. Vernichtung von 1’303’500 im Rahmen eines Aktienrückkaufprogrammes erworbenen eigenen Namenaktien zu CHF 6.—sowie Herabsetzung des Nennwerts der restlichen 70’826’617 Namenaktien zu CHF6.—auf CHF 3. (Rückzahlung), Beachtung der gesetzlichen Vorschriften gemäss Art. 734 OR durch öffentliche Urkunde vom 06.05.2004 festgestellt. Vernichtung von 1'762'000 im Rahmen eines Aktienrückkaufprogrammes erworbenen eigenen Namenaktien zu ChF 3.-- sowie Herabsetzung des Nennwerts der restlichen 69'064'617 Namenaktien zu CHF 3.-- auf CHF 1.-- (Rückzahlung). Beachtung der gesetzlichen Vorschriften gemäss Art. 734 OR durch öffentlichc Urkunde vom 11.05.2005 festgestellt.				1 4 8 8 13 17 28 29 35 36 38 41	17.04.1996 17.12.1996 12.02.1997 18.02.1997 20.04.1998 13.04.2000 22.03.2002 22.03.2002 06.03.2003 06.03.2003 26.02.2004 03.03.2005
Ei	Lö	Besondere Tatbestände				Ref	Publikationsorgan
4 4		Sacheinlage: Einen Teil der Aktiven im Betrag von CHF 1’643’543’056.—und seinen Teil der Passiven im Betrag von 126’000’000.—der “CIBA-GEIGY AG”, in Basel, gemäss Sacheinlagevertrag vom 17.12.1996 und Ausgliederungebilanz per 1.1.1996 zum Preis von 1’517’543’056.--, wofür 1 Namenaktie zu CHF 10.—ausgegeben wird. Diese Aktie wird der “CIBA-GEIGY AG” zugeteilt. Der Rest des Aktivenüberschusses von CHF 1’517’543’046 wird als Agio den Reserven der “Ciba Spezialitätenchemie Holding AG” gutgeschrieben. Beabsichtigte Sachübernahme: Zum Bereich der Spezialitätenchemie gehörende Aktiven und Passiven der “CIBA-GEIGY AG”, in Basel, zum Preis von höchstens CHF 1’477’504’000.--.				1	SHAB

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Handelsregister des Kantons Basel-Stadt Hauptregister

  CH-270.3.002.356-5   Ciba Spezialitätenchemie Holding AG   Basel   2

Alle Eintragungen

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(Genehmigung EHRA)

Ei Ae Lö Personalangaben Funktion Zeichnungsart

1   1   1   1   1   1   1   1 2   2   2   2   2   2   2   3   3   3   3   3   3   5   6   6   6   6   6   8m 1     18   9m   21   14   27   32 12   40   27       37   15   1 1 37       1 1 24       1 1 18   15   18   21   15     Dettwiler, Max, von Reigoldewil, in Buckten                             1 1 1 Kleewein, Dr. Walter, österreichischer Staatsangehöriger, in Hofstetten SO       1 1 Wittlin, Hans-Peter, von Oberwil BL, in Basel   Mackensen, Dr. Georg, deutscher Staatsangehöriger, in Binningen   Richter, Dr. Helmut, österreichischer Staatsangehöriger, in Ettingen     1 Szele, Dr. Ivanka, von Basel, in Allschwil   Zictzling, Dr. Jörg. deutscher Staatzangehöriger, in Reinnen BL                     Kurz, Peter, von Basel, in Bottmingen     Kollektivunterschrift Zu zweien                                 Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien         Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien   Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien   Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien                     Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien

  CH-270.3.002.356-5   Ciba Spezialitätenchemie Holding AG   Basel   3

Alle Eintragungen

Ei	Ae	Lö	Personalangaben	Funktion	Zeichnungsart
6 6 6 6 6 6 7 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 1 1 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 20	8 9 1 1 1 1 9 1 1 15 15 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 18 18 18 18 18 21 21 21	33 1 15 23 25 18 9m 21 15 16 15m 1 15m 39 37m 25 21m 1 21m 1 1 18 24m 21m 1 1 1 1 21 1 1 21 22m 24m	Meier, Niklaus, von Willisau Land, in Allschwil 1 Riediker, Dr. Martin, von Rorbas, in Seltisberg 1 11 1 1 1 1 Höhler, Gertrud, deutsche Staatsangehöriger, in Berlin (D) Lehn, Jean-Marie P., französischer Staatsangehöriger, in Strasbourg (F) Littmann, Peter, deutscher und tschechischer Staatsangehöriger, in Stuttgart (D) 1 1 1 1 Heri, Erwin W., von Biberist, in Räterschen Sigg, Dr. Ulrich, von Dörflingen, in Mauensee 1 1 Florin Müller, Sabine, von Unterkulm und Klosters-Serneus, in Muttenz 1 1 Petitpierre, Dr. Daniel, von Neuchätel und Couvet, in Therwil Ballmer, Steven, von Lausen, in Bottmingen 1 1 1  Bürgin, Peter, von Riehen und Ettingen, in Riehen 1 Jacobi, Dr. Michael, deutscher Staatsangehöriger, in Binningen Bucher, Thomas, von Gurbra, in Möhlin Naef Meyer, Monika E., von Hausen am Albis und Aarau und Dintikon, in Biel-Benken	1 1 1 Mitglied des Ver- waltungsrates Mitglied des Ver- waltungsrates Mitglied des Ver- waltungsrates Mitglied des Ver- waltungsrates Mitglied des Ver- waltungsrates	Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Ohne Zeichnungabe- rechtigung Ohne Zeichnungabe- rechtigung Ohne Zeichnungabe- rechtigung Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Ohne Zeichnungabe- rechtigung Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien

Handelsregister des Kantons Basel-Stadt Hauptregister

  CH-270.3.002.356-5   Ciba Spezialitätenchemie Holding AG   Basel   4

Alle Eintragungen

Ei	Ae	Lö	Personalangaben	Funktion	Zeichnungsart
25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 26 1 26 27 27 27 27 27 1 1 32 33 34 34 35 37 39 40 40	21 22 24 24 1 1 1 1 32 37 1 1 1 1 1 1 39 39 40	1 1 1 39m 1 32m 27 40 1 1 1 27 1 1 1 1 1 39 1 1 39m 40m	Strub, Oliver, von Läufelfingen, in Münchenstein Meyer, Dr. Armin, von Zürich, in Erlenbach ZH Feller, Kur, von Thun, in Wollerau Angerer, Dr. Hermann, von Biel-Benken, in Allschwil Biedermann, Christoph Josef, von Döttingen, in Zürich Binder, Rudolf, von Strongelbach, in Füllinsdorf Löffler, Dr. Reiner, deutscher Staatsangehöriger, in Rheinfelden (D) Moore Schaub, Karin Ursula, von Binningen, in Oberwil BL Müller, Harry, deutscher Staatsangehöriger, in Adliswil Schlange, Dr. Tim Gunnar, deutscher Staatsangehöriger, in Basel 1 1 Bernhardt, Dr. Wolfgang, deutscher Staatsangehöriger, in Herrischried (D) Upschulte, Dr. Manfred deutscher Staatsangehöriger, in Lörrach (D) Cummins, Brendan, irischer Staatsanghöriger, in Binningen Lindner, Dr. Anton, deutscher Staatsangehöriger, in Neuenburg (D) 1 1 Streckeisen, Karin, von Basel, in Muttenz Garrett, Mark, australischer Staatsangehöriger, in Basel 11 Ernst & Young AG, in Zürich Löchle, Michael, deutscher Staatsangehöriger, in Magden Penepent, Paul, Bürger der USA, in Binningen Saxer, Beat, von Hägglingen, in Brugg OBT AG, in Zürich Curric, Dr. Leslie J.R., britischer Staatsangehöriger, in Hofstetten SO Perregaux Bucher, Michèle, von Les Geneveys-sur-Coffrane, Küsnacht ZH und Entlebuch, in Luzern 1 Grossmann, Carmen, von Küsnacht ZH, in Basel Mighali, Luca, italienischer Staatsangehöriger, in Arisdorf Koch, Thomas, deutscher Staatsangehöriger, in Riehen Kole, Frits, niederländischer Staatsangehöriger, in Muttens Marohn, Eric, amerikanischer Staatsangehöriger, in Oberwil BL	Präsident und Dele- Gierter des Verwal- Tungsrates Vizepräsident des Verwaltungerates 1 1 1 1 Revisionsstelle 1 1 1 1 1 1 Revisionsstelle mit begrenztem Mandat für die Prüfung von Kapitalerhöhungen 1 1 Sekretär (nicht Mitgleid)	Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien Kollektivunterschrift zu zweien

Handelsregister des Kantons Basel-Stadt Hauptregister

  CH-270.3.002.356-5   Ciba Spezialitätenchemie Holding AG   Basel   5

Alle Eintragungen

Basel. 13.05.2005 07:15 Dieser Auszug aus dem kantonalen Handelsregister hat ohne die nebenstehede Originalbeglaubigung keine Gültigkeit. Er enthält alle gegenwärtig für diese Firma gültigen Eintragungen sowie allfällig gestrichenen Eintragungen. Dieser Auszug wurde vor Publikation im Schweizerischen Handelsamtsblatt und nach Genehmigung der letzten Eintragung durch das Eidg. Amt für das Handelsregister ausgestellt.

*The lines in the Register that were crossed-out were excluded to clarify the document.