Environmental and Regulatory

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]

Environmental and Regulatory

Environmental and Regulatory

Government Regulation and Environmental Matters – The operations of Energizer are subject to various federal, state, foreign and local laws and regulations intended to protect the public health and the environment. These regulations relate primarily to worker safety, air and water quality, underground fuel storage tanks and waste handling and disposal. In connection with some sites, Energizer has been identified as a “potentially responsible party” (PRP) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and may be required to share in the cost of cleanup with respect to certain federal “Superfund” sites. Energizer may also be required to share in the cost of cleanup with respect to state-designated sites or other sites outside of the U.S.

Accrued environmental costs at September 30, 2019 were $8.2, of which $2.0 is expected to be spent during fiscal 2020. It is difficult to quantify with certainty the cost of environmental matters, particularly remediation and future capital expenditures for environmental control equipment. Environmental spending estimates could be modified as a result of changes in legal requirements or the enforcement or interpretation of existing requirements.

Legal Proceedings – The Company and its affiliates are subject to a number of legal proceedings in various jurisdictions arising out of its operations. Many of these legal matters are in preliminary stages and involve complex issues of law and fact, and may proceed for protracted periods of time. The amount of liability, if any, from these proceedings cannot be determined with certainty. We are a party to legal proceedings and claims that arise during the ordinary course of business. We review our legal proceedings and claims, regulatory reviews and inspections on an ongoing basis and follow appropriate accounting guidance when making accrual and disclosure decisions. We establish accruals for those contingencies where the incurrence of a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated, and we disclose the amount accrued and the amount of a reasonably possible loss in excess of the amount accrued, if such disclosure is necessary for our financial statements to not be misleading. We do not record liabilities when the likelihood that the liability has been incurred is probable, but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated. Based upon present information, the Company believes that its liability, if any, arising from such pending legal proceedings, asserted legal claims and known potential legal claims which are likely to be asserted, is not reasonably likely to be material to the Company's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, taking into account established accruals for estimated liabilities.