Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Basis of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the company and subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is maintained. For those consolidated subsidiaries in which the company's ownership is less than 100 percent, the outside stockholders' interests are shown as noncontrolling interests. Investments in affiliates over which the company has significant influence but not a controlling interest are accounted for under the equity method.

The company is also involved with certain joint ventures accounted for under the equity method of accounting that are variable interest entities (VIEs). The company is not the primary beneficiary, as the nature of the company's involvement with the VIEs does not provide it the power to direct the VIEs significant activities. Future events may require these VIEs to be consolidated if the company becomes the primary beneficiary. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the maximum exposure to loss related to the unconsolidated VIEs is not considered material to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Basis of Presentation

Certain reclassifications of prior year's data have been made to conform to current year's presentation, including recasting the segment financial information as a result of the change in reportable segments which impacted the Industrial Biosciences segment, the DuPont Protection Solutions segment and Other. Refer to Note 21 for further information. As noted below under “Recent Accounting Pronouncements”, effective January 1, 2016, the company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position on a retrospective basis. In conjunction with the adoption of ASU No. 2015-17, the company also retrospectively reclassified deferred charges previously recorded in the current deferred income taxes line item to prepaid expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

On July 1, 2015, the company completed the separation of its Performance Chemicals segment through the spin-off of all of the issued and outstanding stock of The Chemours Company (Chemours). In accordance with GAAP, the financial position and results of operations of the Performance Chemicals segment are presented as discontinued operations and, as such, have been excluded from continuing operations and segment results for all periods presented. The sum of the individual earnings per share amounts from continuing operations and discontinued operations may not equal the total company earnings per share amounts due to rounding. The assets and liabilities related to the Performance Chemicals segment are presented as assets of discontinued operations and liabilities of discontinued operations in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for all periods presented. The cash flows and comprehensive income related to the Performance Chemicals segment have not been segregated and are included in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Comprehensive Income, respectively, for all periods presented. Amounts related to the Performance Chemicals segment are consistently included or excluded from the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements based on the respective financial statement line item. See Note 3 for additional information.

Revenue Recognition

The company recognizes revenue when the earnings process is complete. The company's revenues are from the sale of a wide range of products to a diversified base of customers around the world. Revenue for product sales is recognized upon delivery, when title and risk of loss have been transferred, collectability is reasonably assured and pricing is fixed or determinable. A majority of product sales are sold FOB (free on board) shipping point or, with respect to non United States of America (U.S.) customers, an equivalent basis. Accruals are made for sales returns and other allowances based on the company's experience. The company accounts for cash sales incentives as a reduction in sales and noncash sales incentives as a charge to cost of goods sold or selling expense, depending on the nature of the incentive. Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling fees are included in net sales and costs incurred by the company for the delivery of goods are classified as cost of goods sold in the Consolidated Income Statements. Taxes on revenue-producing transactions are excluded from net sales.

The company periodically enters into prepayment contracts with customers in the Agriculture segment and receives advance payments for product to be delivered in future periods. These advance payments are recorded as deferred revenue (classified as other accrued liabilities) or debt, depending on the nature of the program. Revenue associated with advance payments is recognized as shipments are made and title, ownership and risk of loss pass to the customer.

Licensing and royalty income is recognized in accordance with agreed upon terms, when performance obligations are satisfied, the amount is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.

Costs of Goods Sold

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold primarily includes the cost of manufacture and delivery, ingredients or raw materials, direct salaries, wages and benefits and overhead.

Other Operating Charges

Other operating charges includes product claim charges and recoveries, non-capitalizable costs associated with capital projects and other operational expenses.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expense includes costs (primarily consisting of employee costs, materials, contract services, research agreements, and other external spend) relating to the discovery and development of new products, enhancement of existing products and regulatory approval of new and existing products.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily include selling and marketing expenses, commissions, functional costs, and business management expenses.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents represent investments with maturities of three months or less from time of purchase. They are carried at cost plus accrued interest.

Marketable Securities

Marketable securities represent investments in fixed and floating rate financial instruments with maturities greater than three months and up to twelve months at time of purchase. Investments classified as held-to-maturity are recorded at amortized cost. The carrying value approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the investments. Investments classified as available-for-sale are carried at estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Fair Value Measurements

Under the accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures, a fair value hierarchy was established that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The company uses the following valuation techniques to measure fair value for its assets and liabilities:



Level 1	–	Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2	–	Significant other observable inputs (e.g. quoted prices for similar items in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar items in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable such as interest rate and yield curves, and market-corroborated inputs);

Level 3	–	Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are valued based on management's estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Inventories

The company's inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Elements of cost in inventories include raw materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead. Stores and supplies are valued at cost or net realizable value, whichever is lower; cost is generally determined by the average cost method.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, approximately 55, 30 and 15 percent of the company’s inventories were accounted for under the first-in, first-out (FIFO), average cost and last-in, first-out (LIFO) methods, respectively. Inventories accounted for under the FIFO method are primarily comprised of products with shorter shelf lives such as seeds, certain food-ingredients and enzymes.

The company establishes allowances for obsolescence of inventory based upon quality considerations and assumptions about future demand and market conditions.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method. Substantially all equipment and buildings are depreciated over useful lives ranging from 15 to 25 years. Capitalizable costs associated with computer software for internal use are amortized on a straight-line basis over 5 to 7 years. When assets are surrendered, retired, sold or otherwise disposed of, their gross carrying values and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheets and included in determining gain or loss on such disposals.

Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations; replacements and improvements are capitalized.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually; however, these tests are performed more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. Impairment exists when carrying value exceeds fair value. The company's fair value methodology is primarily based on discounted cash flow techniques.

Definite-lived intangible assets, such as purchased and licensed technology, patents and customer lists are amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally for periods ranging from 1 to 20 years or amortized based on units of production. The company continually evaluates the reasonableness of the useful lives of these assets. Once these assets are fully amortized, they are removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The carrying value of a long-lived asset group is considered impaired when the total projected undiscounted cash flows from the assets are separately identifiable and are less than its carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset. The company's fair value methodology is an estimate of fair market value which is made based on prices of similar assets or other valuation methodologies including present value techniques. Long-lived assets to be disposed of other than by sale are classified as held for use until their disposal. Long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale are classified as held for sale and are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair market value less cost to sell. Depreciation is discontinued for long-lived assets classified as held for sale.

Royalty Expense

The company’s Agriculture segment currently has certain third party biotechnology trait license agreements, which require up-front and variable payments subject to the licensor meeting certain conditions. These payments are reflected as prepaid expenses and other assets and are amortized to cost of goods sold as seeds containing the respective trait technology are utilized over the life of the license. The company evaluates the carrying value of the prepaid royalties when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Environmental

Accruals for environmental matters are recorded in operating expenses when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Accrued liabilities do not include claims against third parties and are not discounted.

Costs related to environmental remediation and restoration are charged to expense. Other environmental costs are also charged to expense unless they increase the value of the property or reduce or prevent contamination from future operations, in which case, they are capitalized.

Litigation

The company accrues for liabilities related to litigation matters when the information available indicates that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs such as outside counsel fees and expenses are charged to expense in the period incurred.

Insurance/Self-Insurance

The company self-insures certain risks where permitted by law or regulation, including workers' compensation, vehicle liability and employee related benefits. Liabilities associated with these risks are estimated in part by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors and other actuarial assumptions. For other risks, the company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance, reflecting comprehensive reviews of relevant risks. A receivable for an insurance recovery is generally recognized when the loss has occurred and collection is considered probable.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. The provision for income taxes represents income taxes paid or payable for the current year plus the change in deferred taxes during the year. Deferred taxes result from differences between the financial and tax basis of the company's assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax rates and tax laws when changes are enacted. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. Provision has been made for income taxes on unremitted earnings of subsidiaries and affiliates, except for subsidiaries in which earnings are deemed to be indefinitely reinvested. Investment tax credits or grants are accounted for in the period earned (the flow-through method). Interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits is included in miscellaneous income and expenses, net, within other income, net. Income tax related penalties are included in the provision for income taxes.

Foreign Currency Translation

The company's worldwide operations utilize the U.S. dollar (USD) or local currency as the functional currency, where applicable. The company identifies its separate and distinct foreign entities and groups the foreign entities into two categories: 1) extension of the parent (USD functional currency) and 2) self-contained (local functional currency). If a foreign entity does not align with either category, factors are evaluated and a judgment is made to determine the functional currency.

For foreign entities where the USD is the functional currency, all foreign currency-denominated asset and liability amounts are re-measured into USD at end-of-period exchange rates, except for inventories, prepaid expenses, property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets, which are re-measured at historical rates. Foreign currency income and expenses are re-measured at average exchange rates in effect during the year, except for expenses related to balance sheet amounts re-measured at historical exchange rates. Exchange gains and losses arising from re-measurement of foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities are included in income in the period in which they occur.

For foreign entities where the local currency is the functional currency, assets and liabilities denominated in local currencies are translated into USD at end-of-period exchange rates and the resultant translation adjustments are reported, net of their related tax effects, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in equity. Assets and liabilities denominated in other than the local currency are re-measured into the local currency prior to translation into USD and the resultant exchange gains or losses are included in income in the period in which they occur. Income and expenses are translated into USD at average exchange rates in effect during the period.

The company changes the functional currency of its separate and distinct foreign entities only when significant changes in economic facts and circumstances indicate clearly that the functional currency has changed. As a result of the separation of its Performance Chemicals segment, coupled with the company’s redesign initiative, the functional currency at certain of the company’s foreign entities was re-evaluated which, in some cases, resulted in a change in the foreign entities' functional currency during 2015.

Venezuelan Foreign Currency

Venezuela is considered a highly inflationary economy under GAAP and the USD is the functional currency for the company's subsidiaries in Venezuela. The official exchange rate continues to be set through the National Center for Foreign Commerce (CENCOEX, previously CADIVI). Based on its evaluation of the restrictions and limitations affecting the availability of specific exchange rate mechanisms, management concluded in the second quarter of 2014 that the Alternative Currency Exchange System (SICAD 2) auction process would be the most likely mechanism available. As a result, in the second quarter of 2014, the company changed from the official exchange rate to the SICAD 2 exchange rate, which resulted in a pre-tax charge of $58. The charge is recorded within other income, net in the company's Consolidated Income Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

During the first quarter of 2015, the Venezuelan government enacted additional changes to the country's foreign exchange systems including the introduction of the Foreign Exchange Marginal System (SIMADI) auction process. Management has concluded that the SIMADI auction process would be the most likely exchange mechanism available. As a result, effective in the first quarter of 2015, the company changed from the SICAD 2 to the SIMADI exchange rate, to re-measure its Bolivar Fuertes (VEF) denominated net monetary assets which resulted in a pre-tax charge of $3. The charge is recorded within other income, net in the company's Consolidated Income Statements for the year ended December 31, 2015. The remaining net monetary assets and non-monetary assets are immaterial at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Hedging and Trading Activities

Derivative instruments are reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair values. For derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments will generally be offset in the income statement by changes in the fair value of the hedged items. For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of any hedge is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until it is cleared to earnings during the same period in which the hedged item affects earnings. The ineffective portion of all hedges is recognized in current period earnings. Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges are recorded in current period earnings.

In the event that a derivative designated as a hedge of a firm commitment or an anticipated transaction is terminated prior to the maturation of the hedged transaction, gains or losses realized at termination are deferred and included in the measurement of the hedged transaction. If a hedged transaction matures, or is sold, extinguished, or terminated prior to the maturity of a derivative designated as a hedge of such transaction, gains or losses associated with the derivative through the date the transaction matured are included in the measurement of the hedged transaction and the derivative is reclassified as for trading purposes. Derivatives designated as hedges of anticipated transactions are reclassified as for trading purposes if the anticipated transaction is no longer probable.

Cash flows from derivative instruments accounted for as either fair value hedges or cash flow hedges are reported in the same category as the cash flows from the items being hedged. Cash flows from all other derivative instruments are generally reported as investing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. See Note 19 for additional discussion regarding the company's objectives and strategies for derivative instruments.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncements Implemented in 2016

In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The amendments under the new guidance require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The amendments in this ASU may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. The company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2016 on a retrospective basis. As a result of the adoption, $368 and $37 of deferred tax assets and liabilities, respectively, were reclassified from current to noncurrent assets and liabilities, respectively, as of December 31, 2015.

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value per Share or its Equivalent. This guidance removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The guidance also removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. Rather, those disclosures are limited to investments for which the entity has elected to measure the fair value using that practical expedient. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. A reporting entity should apply the amendments retrospectively to all periods presented and early adoption is permissible. The company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2016. The guidance only impacts disclosure and did not impact the company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements to be Implemented

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. The new guidance requires that entities recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs, rather than when the asset is sold to an outside party. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period (as of the first interim period if an entity issues interim financial statements). The new guidance requires adoption on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The new guidance makes eight targeted changes to how cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. The new guidance requires adoption on a retrospective basis unless it is impracticable to apply, in which case the company would be required to apply the amendments prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. The company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The ASU was issued as part of the FASB Simplification Initiative and involves several aspects of accounting for shared-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, forfeitures and classification on the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The company will adopt this standard on January 1, 2017. The primary effects of adoption for the company relate to changes in classification within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and recognition of tax effects related to share-based payments. The new guidance requires all tax related cash flows resulting from share-based payments to be reported as cash provided by operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. This is a change from the current requirement to present excess tax benefits as cash inflows from financing activities and tax deficiencies as cash outflows from operating activities. As permitted by the standard, the company has elected to adopt this reclassification on a retrospective basis. The updated guidance also requires all tax effects related to share-based payments to be recognized within the provision for income taxes in the Consolidated Income Statements. Previously excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies were recognized in additional paid-in capital in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The standard does not permit retrospective adoption of this update. As such, the company will adopt this update on a prospective basis. The remaining updates required by this standard are not expected to have a material impact to the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendments under the new guidance will require lessees to recognize almost all leases on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease. For income statement purposes, the FASB retained a dual model, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance. Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting. Lessor accounting is similar to the current model, but updated to align with certain changes to the lessee model and the new revenue recognition standard. The new leasing standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition, requiring application at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. The company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on its financial position and results of operations. The company is the lessee under various agreements for facilities and equipment that are currently accounted for as operating leases as discussed in Note 15.

In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) jointly issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which was further updated in March, April, May, and December 2016. The new guidance clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and develops a common revenue standard for GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. The new standard also will result in additional disclosure requirements to describe the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In July 2015, the FASB approved a deferral of the ASU effective date from annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 to annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or modified retrospective (cumulative-effect) transition method of adoption. The company continues to evaluate the impact of the new standard on its Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures. Based on the analysis conducted to date, the company does not believe the impact upon adoption will be material to its Consolidated Financial Statements. The company plans to adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2018 under the modified retrospective transition method.