Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency [Text Block]	9. Commitments and Contingencies We are, and will likely continue to be, involved in a number of legal proceedings, government investigations, and claims, which we believe generally arise in the course of our business, given our size, history, complexity, and the nature of our business, products, Customers, regulatory environment, and industries in which we participate. These legal proceedings, investigations and claims generally involve a variety of legal theories and allegations, including, without limitation, personal injury (e.g., slip and falls, burns, vehicle accidents), product liability or regulation (e.g., based on product operation or claimed malfunction, failure to warn, failure to meet specification, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements), product exposure (e.g., claimed exposure to chemicals, asbestos, contaminants, radiation), property damage (e.g., claimed damage due to leaking equipment, fire, vehicles, chemicals), commercial claims (e.g., breach of contract, economic loss, warranty, misrepresentation), financial (e.g., taxes, reporting), employment (e.g., wrongful termination, discrimination, benefits matters), and other claims for damage and relief. We believe we have adequately reserved for our current litigation and claims that are probable and estimable, and further believe that the ultimate outcome of these pending lawsuits and claims will not have a material adverse affect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations taken as a whole. Due to their inherent uncertainty, however, there can be no assurance of the ultimate outcome or effect of current or future litigation, investigations, claims or other proceedings (including without limitation the matters discussed below). For certain types of claims, we presently maintain insurance coverage for personal injury and property damage and other liability coverages in amounts and with deductibles that we believe are prudent, but there can be no assurance that these coverages will be applicable or adequate to cover adverse outcomes of claims or legal proceedings against us. As previously disclosed, we received a warning letter (the “warning letter”) from the FDA on May 16, 2008 regarding our SYSTEM 1® sterile processor and the STERIS 20 sterilant used with the processor (sometimes referred to collectively in the FDA letter and in this note 9 as the “device”). Among other matters, the warning letter included the FDA's assertion that significant changes or modifications had been made in the design, components, method of manufacture, or intended use of the device beyond the FDA's 1988 clearance, such that the FDA believed a new premarket notification submission (known within FDA regulations as a 510(k) submission) should have been made, and the assertion that our failure to make such a submission resulted in violations of applicable law. After ongoing discussions with the FDA, in April 2010 we reached agreement with the FDA on the terms of a consent decree (“Consent Decree”). On April 19, 2010, a Complaint and Consent Decree were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, and on April 20, 2010, the Court approved the Consent Decree. In general, the Consent Decree addresses regulatory matters regarding SYSTEM 1, restricts further sales of SYSTEM 1 processors in the U.S., defines certain documentation and other requirements for continued service and support of SYSTEM 1 in the U.S., prohibits the sale of liquid chemical sterilization or disinfection products in the U.S. that do not have FDA clearance, describes various process and compliance matters, and defines penalties in the event of violation of the Consent Decree. The Consent Decree also provided the terms under which we temporarily continued to support our Customers' use of SYSTEM 1 in the U.S., including the sale of consumables, parts and accessories and service for a transition period (the “Transition Plan”), which included the “SYSTEM 1 Rebate Program”. The Consent Decree has defined the resolution of a number of issues regarding SYSTEM 1, and we believe our actions with respect to SYSTEM 1, including the Transition Plan, were and are not recalls, corrections or removals under FDA regulations. However, there is no assurance that these or other claims will not be brought or that judicial, regulatory, administrative or other legal or enforcement actions, notices or remedies will not be pursued, or that action will not be taken in respect of the Consent Decree, the Transition Plan, SYSTEM 1, or otherwise with respect to regulatory or compliance matters, as described in this note and in various portions of Item 1A. of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on May 30, 2013. On May 31, 2012, our Albert Browne Limited subsidiary received a warning letter from the FDA regarding chemical indicators manufactured in the United Kingdom. These devices are intended for the monitoring of certain sterilization and other processes. The FDA warning letter states that the agency has concerns regarding operational business processes. We do not believe that the FDA's concerns are related to product performance, or that they result from Customer complaints. We have reviewed our processes with the agency and finalized our remediation measures, and are awaiting FDA reinspection. We do not currently believe that the impact of this event will have a material adverse effect on our financial results. Other civil, criminal, regulatory or other proceedings involving our products or services also could possibly result in judgments, settlements or administrative or judicial decrees requiring us, among other actions, to pay damages or fines or effect recalls, or be subject to other governmental, Customer or other third party claims or remedies, which could materially affect our business, performance, prospects, value, financial condition, and results of operations. For additional information regarding these matters, see the following portions of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013: “Business - Information with respect to our Business in General - Government Regulation”, and the “Risk Factor” titled “We may be adversely affected by product liability claims or other legal actions or regulatory or compliance matters, including the Warning Letter and Consent Decree” and the "Risk Factor” titled “Compliance with the Consent Decree may be more costly and burdensome than anticipated.” From time to time, STERIS is also involved in legal proceedings as a plaintiff involving contract, patent protection, and other claims asserted by us. Gains, if any, from these proceedings are recognized when they are realized. We are subject to taxation from United States federal, state and local, and foreign jurisdictions. Tax positions are settled primarily through the completion of audits within each individual jurisdiction or the closing of statute of limitation. Changes in applicable tax law or other events may also require us to revise past estimates. Additional information regarding our contingencies is included in Item 7 of Part II titled, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2013 dated May 30, 2013, and in Item 1 of Part II of this Form 10-Q titled, “Legal Proceedings.”

9. Commitments and Contingencies

We are, and will likely continue to be, involved in a number of legal proceedings, government investigations, and claims, which we believe generally arise in the course of our business, given our size, history, complexity, and the nature of our business, products, Customers, regulatory environment, and industries in which we participate. These legal proceedings, investigations and claims generally involve a variety of legal theories and allegations, including, without limitation, personal injury (e.g., slip and falls, burns, vehicle accidents), product liability or regulation (e.g., based on product operation or claimed malfunction, failure to warn, failure to meet specification, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements), product exposure (e.g., claimed exposure to chemicals, asbestos, contaminants, radiation), property damage (e.g., claimed damage due to leaking equipment, fire, vehicles, chemicals), commercial claims (e.g., breach of contract, economic loss, warranty, misrepresentation), financial (e.g., taxes, reporting), employment (e.g., wrongful termination, discrimination, benefits matters), and other claims for damage and relief.

We believe we have adequately reserved for our current litigation and claims that are probable and estimable, and further believe that the ultimate outcome of these pending lawsuits and claims will not have a material adverse affect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations taken as a whole. Due to their inherent uncertainty, however, there can be no assurance of the ultimate outcome or effect of current or future litigation, investigations, claims or other proceedings (including without limitation the matters discussed below). For certain types of claims, we presently maintain insurance coverage for personal injury and property damage and other liability coverages in amounts and with deductibles that we believe are prudent, but there can be no assurance that these coverages will be applicable or adequate to cover adverse outcomes of claims or legal proceedings against us.

As previously disclosed, we received a warning letter (the “warning letter”) from the FDA on May 16, 2008 regarding our SYSTEM 1® sterile processor and the STERIS 20 sterilant used with the processor (sometimes referred to collectively in the FDA letter and in this note 9 as the “device”). Among other matters, the warning letter included the FDA's assertion that significant changes or modifications had been made in the design, components, method of manufacture, or intended use of the device beyond the FDA's 1988 clearance, such that the FDA believed a new premarket notification submission (known within FDA regulations as a 510(k) submission) should have been made, and the assertion that our failure to make such a submission resulted in violations of applicable law.

After ongoing discussions with the FDA, in April 2010 we reached agreement with the FDA on the terms of a consent decree (“Consent Decree”). On April 19, 2010, a Complaint and Consent Decree were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, and on April 20, 2010, the Court approved the Consent Decree. In general, the Consent Decree addresses regulatory matters regarding SYSTEM 1, restricts further sales of SYSTEM 1 processors in the U.S., defines certain documentation and other requirements for continued service and support of SYSTEM 1 in the U.S., prohibits the sale of liquid chemical sterilization or disinfection products in the U.S. that do not have FDA clearance, describes various process and compliance matters, and defines penalties in the event of violation of the Consent Decree. The Consent Decree also provided the terms under which we temporarily continued to support our Customers' use of SYSTEM 1 in the U.S., including the sale of consumables, parts and accessories and service for a transition period (the “Transition Plan”), which included the “SYSTEM 1 Rebate Program”.

The Consent Decree has defined the resolution of a number of issues regarding SYSTEM 1, and we believe our actions with respect to SYSTEM 1, including the Transition Plan, were and are not recalls, corrections or removals under FDA regulations. However, there is no assurance that these or other claims will not be brought or that judicial, regulatory, administrative or other legal or enforcement actions, notices or remedies will not be pursued, or that action will not be taken in respect of the Consent Decree, the Transition Plan, SYSTEM 1, or otherwise with respect to regulatory or compliance matters, as described in this note and in various portions of Item 1A. of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on May 30, 2013.

On May 31, 2012, our Albert Browne Limited subsidiary received a warning letter from the FDA regarding chemical indicators manufactured in the United Kingdom. These devices are intended for the monitoring of certain sterilization and other processes. The FDA warning letter states that the agency has concerns regarding operational business processes. We do not believe that the FDA's concerns are related to product performance, or that they result from Customer complaints. We have reviewed our processes with the agency and finalized our remediation measures, and are awaiting FDA reinspection. We do not currently believe that the impact of this event will have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Other civil, criminal, regulatory or other proceedings involving our products or services also could possibly result in judgments, settlements or administrative or judicial decrees requiring us, among other actions, to pay damages or fines or effect recalls, or be subject to other governmental, Customer or other third party claims or remedies, which could materially affect our business, performance, prospects, value, financial condition, and results of operations.

For additional information regarding these matters, see the following portions of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013: “Business - Information with respect to our Business in General - Government Regulation”, and the “Risk Factor” titled “We may be adversely affected by product liability claims or other legal actions or regulatory or compliance matters, including the Warning Letter and Consent Decree” and the "Risk Factor” titled “Compliance with the Consent Decree may be more costly and burdensome than anticipated.”

From time to time, STERIS is also involved in legal proceedings as a plaintiff involving contract, patent protection, and other claims asserted by us. Gains, if any, from these proceedings are recognized when they are realized.

We are subject to taxation from United States federal, state and local, and foreign jurisdictions. Tax positions are settled primarily through the completion of audits within each individual jurisdiction or the closing of statute of limitation. Changes in applicable tax law or other events may also require us to revise past estimates.

Additional information regarding our contingencies is included in Item 7 of Part II titled, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2013 dated May 30, 2013, and in Item 1 of Part II of this Form 10-Q titled, “Legal Proceedings.”