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CONTINGENCIES
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
CONTINGENCIES CONTINGENCIES
Brazilian Tax Assessments
In December 2012, our Brazilian subsidiary, Avon Industrial LTDA (Avon Brazil Manufacturing) received an excise tax (IPI) assessment for the year 2008. The assessment totals approximately $293, including penalties and accrued interest. As in prior IPI cases that have been resolved in Avon’s favor, this assessment asserts that the establishment in 1995 of separate manufacturing and distribution companies in Brazil was done without a valid business purpose and that Avon Brazil Manufacturing did not observe minimum pricing rules to define the taxable basis of excise tax. The structure adopted in 1995 is comparable to that used by many other companies in Brazil. We believe that our Brazilian corporate structure is appropriate, both operationally and legally, and that the 2012 IPI assessment is unfounded.
These matters are being vigorously contested. In July 2013, the 2012 IPI assessment was upheld at the first administrative level and we appealed this decision to the second administrative level. On April 18, 2018, Avon received official notification that the second administrative level has issued a partially favorable and partially unfavorable decision. In this decision, the original assessment was reduced by approximately $62 (including associated penalty and interest), subject to Federal Revenue appeal. The remaining $231 of the assessment was upheld at the second administrative level. On April 20, 2018, we appealed this decision in the third administrative level where the matter remains pending resolution. We expect to have a decision by the end of 2019.

On October 3, 2017, Avon Brazil Manufacturing received a new tax assessment notice regarding IPI for 2014 on grounds similar to the 2012 assessment. The 2017 IPI assessment totals approximately $228, including penalties and accrued interest. On April 2, 2018, Avon was notified of an unfavorable decision at the first administrative level. On February 25, 2019, this IPI assessment was upheld at the second administrative level and on April 11, 2019 we appealed this decision to the third administrative level. The structure adopted in 1995 is comparable to that used by many other companies in Brazil. We believe that our Brazilian corporate structure is appropriate, both operationally and legally, and that the 2017 IPI assessment is unfounded.

In the event that the 2012 and the 2017 IPI assessments are upheld in the third and final administrative level, it may be necessary for us to provide monetary security in the full amount of the debt to pursue further appeals in the judicial levels, which, depending on the circumstances, may result in a charge to earnings and an adverse effect on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. It is not possible to reasonably estimate the likelihood or potential amount of assessments that may be issued for subsequent periods (tax years up through 2010 are closed by statute). We believe that the 2012 and the 2017 IPI assessments are unfounded, however, based on the likelihood that these will be upheld, we assess the risks as disclosed above as reasonably possible. At September 30, 2019, we have not recognized a liability for the 2012 or 2017 IPI assessments.
Brazil IPI Tax on Cosmetics
Separate from the tax assessments received by Avon Brazil Manufacturing, Avon Cosmeticos LTDA (Avon Brazil) is involved in litigation related to an executive decree issued in May 2015. This decree increased the amount of IPI taxes that are to be remitted by Avon Brazil to the taxing authority on the sales of cosmetic products. Avon Brazil filed an objection to this IPI tax increase on the basis that it is not constitutional. In December 2016, Avon Brazil received a favorable decision from the Federal District Court regarding this objection. This decision has been appealed by the tax authorities.
From May 2015 through April 2016, Avon Brazil remitted the taxes associated with this IPI tax increase into a judicial deposit which would be remitted to the taxing authorities in the event that we are not successful in our objection to the tax increase. In May 2016, Avon Brazil received a favorable preliminary decision on its objection to the tax and was granted a preliminary injunction. As a result, beginning in May 2016, Avon Brazil was no longer required to remit the taxes associated with IPI into a judicial deposit. On June 12, 2018, we received a decision authorizing Avon to withdraw the amount held as a judicial deposit, substituting it by letter of guarantee, which was presented. On June 29, 2018, the tax authorities presented an appeal against that decision. On July 30, 2018, the funds were received in our bank account. As of September 30, 2018, due in part to recent
judicial decisions across the industry and other developments, we concluded, supported by the opinion of legal counsel, that the Executive Decree is unconstitutional. We therefore assessed the IPI tax under ASC 450, Contingencies and determined that the risk of loss is reasonably possible but not probable. Accordingly, we released the associated liability as of September 30, 2018 of approximately $195 and ceased accruing the IPI taxes from October 1, 2018. The liability had been classified within long-term sales taxes and taxes other than income in our Consolidated Balance Sheet, and the release was recorded in product sales and other income (expense), net in the amounts of approximately $168 and approximately $27, respectively, in our Consolidated Income Statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2018.
An unfavorable ruling to our objection of this IPI tax increase would have an adverse effect on the Company's Consolidated Income Statements and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as Avon Brazil would have to remit the reasonably possible amount of $249 to the taxing authorities (including the judicial deposit that was returned to us on July 30, 2018). We are not able to reliably predict the timing of the outcome of our objection to this tax increase.
A favorable judicial ruling to our objection of this IPI tax would also have an adverse effect on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as Avon Brazil would have to remit all or a portion of the associated income tax liability to the taxing authorities. The Company is accruing a tax reserve, which amounts to approximately $77 at September 30, 2019. This reserve would be settled on final adjudication of the law through a combination of cash and use of deferred tax assets.
Talc-Related Litigation
The Company has been named a defendant in numerous personal injury lawsuits filed in U.S. courts, alleging that certain talc products the Company sold in the past were contaminated with asbestos. Many of these actions involve a number of co-defendants from a variety of different industries, including manufacturers of cosmetics and manufacturers of other products that, unlike the Company’s products, were designed to contain asbestos. As of September 30, 2019, there were 106 individual cases pending against the Company. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, 16 new cases were filed and 28 cases were dismissed, settled, or otherwise resolved. The value of our settlements in this area thus far has not been material, either individually or in the aggregate. Additional similar cases arising out of the use of the Company's talc products are reasonably anticipated.

We believe that the claims asserted against us in these cases are without merit. We are defending vigorously against these claims and will continue to do so. To date, the Company has not proceeded to trial in any case filed against it and there have been no findings of liability enforceable against the Company. However, nationwide trial results in similar cases filed against other manufacturers of cosmetic talc products have ranged from outright dismissals to very large jury awards of both compensatory and punitive damages. Given the inherent uncertainties of litigation, we cannot predict the outcome of all individual cases pending against the Company, and we are only able to make a reasonable estimate for a small number of individual cases that have advanced to the later stages of legal proceedings. For the remaining cases, we provide an estimate of exposure on an aggregated and ongoing basis, which takes into account the historical outcomes of all cases we have resolved to date. Any accruals currently recorded on the Company’s balance sheet with respect to these cases are not material. Other than these accruals, we are at this time unable to estimate our reasonably possible or probable losses. However, any adverse outcomes, either in an individual case or in the aggregate, could be material. Future costs to litigate these cases, which we expense as incurred, are not known but may be significant, though some costs will be covered by insurance.

Brazilian Labor-Related Litigation
On an ongoing basis, the Company is subject to numerous and diverse labor-related lawsuits filed by employees in Brazil. These cases are assessed on an aggregated and ongoing basis based on historical outcomes of similar cases. The claims made are often for significantly larger sums than have historically been paid out by the Company. Our practice continues to be to recognize a liability based on our assessment of historical payments in similar cases. Our best estimate of the probable loss for such current cases at September 30, 2019 is approximately $12 and, accordingly, we have recognized a liability for this amount.
Shareholder Litigation
On February 14, 2019, a purported shareholder’s class action complaint (Bevinal v. Avon Products, Inc., et al., No. 19-cv-1420) was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company and certain former officers of the Company. On June 3, 2019, the court appointed a lead plaintiff and class counsel. The complaint was subsequently amended on June 28, 2019 and recaptioned “In re Avon Products, Inc. Securities Litigation” on July 8, 2019. The amended complaint is brought on behalf of a purported class consisting of all purchasers or acquirers of Avon common stock between January 21, 2016 and November 1, 2017, inclusive. The complaint asserts violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") based on allegedly false or misleading statements and alleged market manipulation with respect to, among other things, changes made to Avon’s credit terms for Representatives in Brazil.
On July 26, 2019 we filed a motion to dismiss. In light of the early stage of the litigation, we are unable to predict the outcome of this matter and are unable to assess the likelihood of loss or to make a reasonable estimate of the amount or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome.
Other Matters
Various other lawsuits and claims, arising in the ordinary course of business or related to businesses previously sold, are pending or threatened against Avon. In management's opinion, based on its review of the information available at this time, the total cost of resolving such other contingencies at September 30, 2019, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.