Commitments and Contingencies - Product Liability (Details) € in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 EUR (€) item claim
Product Liability - Filters
Product Liability Litigation
Number of customers who obtained an order in the French Courts against 3M Purification SAS | item	1
Number of other customers the Company has resolved claims with	3
Product Liability Filters Other Customers
Product Liability Litigation
Number of other customers the Company has resolved claims with	2
Product Liability Litigation - EDF
Product Liability Litigation
Amount of potential damages (minimum) EDF incurred as stated by court appointed expert witness | €	€ 100
Product Liability Litigation - EDF | Maximum
Product Liability Litigation
Estimated time commercial court may take to render decision	6 months
Product Liability Litigation - EDF | Minimum
Product Liability Litigation
Estimated time commercial court may take to render decision	1 year