XML 98 R78.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.6.0.2

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) company | Dec. 31, 2013 company | Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($) company | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) country_and_territory case | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)
Operating leases,minimum rental commitments[Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum rental commitments under noncancellable operating leases due within one year of the balance sheet date |  |  |  |  | $ 178 |  |  |
Minimum rental commitments under noncancellable operating leases due in two years of the balance sheet date |  |  |  |  | 160 |  |  |
Minimum rental commitments under noncancellable operating leases due in three years of the balance sheet date |  |  |  |  | 143 |  |  |
Minimum rental commitments under noncancellable operating leases due in four years of the balance sheet date |  |  |  |  | 130 |  |  |
Minimum rental commitments under noncancellable operating leases due in five years of the balance sheet date |  |  |  |  | 104 |  |  |
Minimum rental commitments under noncancellable operating leases due after five years of the balance sheet date |  |  |  |  | 145 |  |  |
Operating leases, rental expense [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Rental expense |  |  |  |  | 204 | $ 214 | $ 234 |
Contractual commitments (Abstract) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contractual commitments, amount |  |  |  |  | $ 820 |  |  |
Contingencies [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum number of countries and territories serving consumers (more than) (in countries and territories) | country_and_territory |  |  |  |  | 200 |  |  |
Brazilian internal revenue authority, matter 1 |  |  |  |  | $ 143 |  |  |
Brazilian internal revenue authority, matter 2 |  |  |  |  | 59 |  |  |
Number of consumer goods companies | company |  | 13 | 3 | 16 |  |  |  |
Fine imposed French competition authority |  | $ 57 |  |  |  |  | 57 |
Fine imposed French competition authority - as a result of Sanex Acquisition |  | $ 25 |  |  |  |  | 25 |
Fine imposed and appealed Swiss authority |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 6
Fine imposed and appealed Italian authority |  |  |  | $ 3 |  |  |  |
Charges for previously disclosed litigation matters |  |  |  |  | $ 17 | $ 14 | $ 41 |
Litigation settlement, fine, amount | $ 14 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss contingency, pending claims, number (in cases) | case |  |  |  |  | 115 |  |  |
Minimum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contingencies [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Range of reasonably possible losses |  |  |  |  | $ 0 |  |  |
Maximum |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contingencies [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Range of reasonably possible losses |  |  |  |  | $ 225 |  |  |

X
- Definition Fine imposed in 2010 by the Italian competition law authority on the Company's Italian subsidiary for exchanging competitively sensitive information in the cosmetics sector. The Company is appealing the fine in the Italian courts. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cl_FineImposedAndAppealedItalianAuthority
Namespace Prefix: | cl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fine imposed in 2009 by the Swiss competition law authority on the Company's GABA subsidiary for alleged violations of restrictions on parallel imports into Switzerland. The Company is appealing the fine in the Swiss courts. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cl_FineImposedAndAppealedSwissAuthority
Namespace Prefix: | cl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fine Imposed and Appealed French Competition Authority - Home care and Personal Care + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cl_FineImposedandAppealedFrenchCompetitionAuthorityHomecareandPersonalCare
Namespace Prefix: | cl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fine Imposed and Appealed French Competition Authority - Sanex + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cl_FineImposedandAppealedFrenchCompetitionAuthoritySanex
Namespace Prefix: | cl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Litigation Settlement, Fine, Amount + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cl_LitigationSettlementFineAmount
Namespace Prefix: | cl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Minimum Number Of Countries And Territories Serving Consumers + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cl_MinimumNumberOfCountriesAndTerritoriesServingConsumers
Namespace Prefix: | cl_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of Consumer Goods Companies + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cl_NumberofConsumerGoodsCompanies
Namespace Prefix: | cl_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of tax assessment with estimated interest accrued as of the balance sheet date arising from income tax examinations related to an acquisition. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cl_TaxAssessmentsWithInterest
Namespace Prefix: | cl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of tax assessment with estimated penalties and interest accrued as of the balance sheet date arising from income tax examinations related to investments held by a foreign subsidiary. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cl_TaxAssessmentsWithInterestAndPenalties
Namespace Prefix: | cl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of rent expense incurred for leased assets, including but not limited to, furniture and equipment, that is not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongTermCommitmentExcludingUnconditionalPurchaseObligationAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The minimum amount the entity agreed to spend under the long-term purchase commitment. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) in loss contingency liability. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValuePeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Reflects the estimated amount of loss from the specified contingency as of the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of pending claims pertaining to a loss contingency. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingencyPendingClaimsNumber
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph (Note 3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph (Note 3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph (Note 3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph (Note 3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph (Note 3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of required minimum rental payments for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year due after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph (Note 3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |