Note 11 - Agreements, Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 11 - AGREEMENTS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contingencies -- From time to time, we may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business.

In November 2022, the Company entered into a commercial settlement agreement regarding marine wastewater treatment systems delivered in 2019 and associated, potential warranty claims related to alleged corrosion on certain parts and components. The Company disputed the claim in full, subsequently reaching an amicable settlement agreement with the customer to conduct remediation work in 2023. The cost of any remediation work is shared between the two parties.

Product Warranties - The Company provides a standard warranty on its systems, generally for a period of one to three years after customer acceptance. The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under its standard warranty programs and records a liability for such costs at the time product revenue is recognized.

In addition, the Company sells an extended warranty for certain systems, which generally provides a warranty for up to four years from the date of commissioning. The specific terms and conditions of the warranties vary depending upon the product sold and the country in which the Company does business. Revenue received for the sale of extended warranty contracts is deferred and recognized in the same manner as the costs incurred to perform under the warranty contracts.

The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts, as necessary. Factors that affect the warranty liability include the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims, and the cost per claim.

Changes in the Company's current and long-term warranty obligations included in accrued expenses on the balance sheet for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

	2023			2022
Balance at January 1,	$	898,072		$	962,313
Warranty costs charged to cost of goods sold		115,401			86,256
Utilization charges against reserve		(408,234	)		(93,653	)
Foreign currency effect		23,861			(56,844	)
Balance at December 31,	$	629,100		$	898,072

The utilization charges against the reserve for the ended December 31, 2023 relate to the commercial settlement agreement as described over under “Contingencies”.