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Commitments and Contingencies | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Commitments and Contingencies | Commitments and Contingencies General From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings that are incidental to the operation of our businesses, including acquisitions and divestitures, intellectual property matters, product liability and personal injury claims, employment and pension matters, government and commercial contract disputes. On December 17, 2014, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (“KFTC”) issued a written decision regarding an investigation into bid-rigging allegations against Xylem Water Solutions South Korea Co., Ltd. (“Xylem South Korea”), a subsidiary of Xylem Inc. The KFTC found that certain employees of Xylem South Korea had participated in activities that violated Korea’s antitrust laws. Xylem South Korea was assessed a fine of approximately $1.6 million, and following criminal prosecution a minimal criminal penalty was imposed. In January 2015, Xylem South Korea paid the fine and filed an appeal of the KFTC’s decision with the Seoul High Court. In connection with the KFTC matter, the Company commenced an internal investigation relating to the allegations against Xylem South Korea. In late 2014, the Company broadened this internal investigation to assess related allegations made by certain employees of Xylem South Korea during the investigation into the KFTC matter. The broadened investigation includes a review of compliance by Xylem South Korea and its employees with the requirements of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The Company engaged independent outside counsel to assist with its investigation and an independent professional services firm to provide forensic accounting assistance. In late January 2015, the Company voluntarily contacted the SEC and the Department of Justice ("DOJ") to advise both agencies of this internal investigation. The Company is fully cooperating with any government investigation and has been informed recently by the SEC that it will not bring an enforcement action against the Company in connection with the events at Xylem South Korea. Xylem South Korea’s revenue is less than one percent of the Company’s total revenue. Although the Company currently cannot reasonably estimate the potential liability, if any, related to the investigation, we currently believe that these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations. From time to time, claims may be asserted against Xylem alleging injury caused by any of our products resulting from asbestos exposure. We believe there are numerous legal defenses available for such claims and would defend ourselves vigorously. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement ("Distribution Agreement") dated October 25, 2011 among ITT Corporation ("ITT" or "former parent"), Exelis Inc. and Xylem, the former parent has an obligation to indemnify, defend and hold Xylem harmless for asbestos product liability matters, including settlements, judgments, and legal defense costs associated with all pending and future claims that may arise from past sales of the former parent’s legacy products. We believe the former parent remains a substantial entity with sufficient financial resources to honor its obligations to us. Although the ultimate outcome of any legal matter cannot be predicted with certainty, based on present information, including our assessment of the merits of the particular claims, we do not expect that any asserted or unasserted legal claims or proceedings, individually or in aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. We have estimated and accrued $6 million and $9 million for these general legal matters as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Indemnifications As part of our 2011 spin-off from our former parent, ITT, Exelis Inc. and Xylem will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of the other parties with respect to such parties’ assumed or retained liabilities under the Distribution Agreement and breaches of the Distribution Agreement or related spin agreements. The former parent’s indemnification obligations include asserted and unasserted asbestos and silica liability claims that relate to the presence or alleged presence of asbestos or silica in products manufactured, repaired or sold prior to October 31, 2011, the Distribution Date, subject to limited exceptions with respect to certain employee claims, or in the structure or material of any building or facility, subject to exceptions with respect to employee claims relating to Xylem buildings or facilities. The indemnification associated with pending and future asbestos claims does not expire. Xylem has not recorded a liability for material matters for which we expect to be indemnified by the former parent or Exelis Inc. through the Distribution Agreement and we are not aware of any claims or other circumstances that would give rise to material payments from us under such indemnifications. On May 29, 2015, Harris Inc. acquired Exelis. As the parent of Exelis, Harris Inc. is responsible for Exelis’s indemnification obligations under the Distribution Agreement. Environmental In the ordinary course of business, we are subject to federal, state, local, and foreign environmental laws and regulations. We are responsible, or are alleged to be responsible, for ongoing environmental investigation and remediation of sites in various countries. These sites are in various stages of investigation and/or remediation and in many of these proceedings our liability is considered de minimis. We have received notification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and from similar state and foreign environmental agencies, that a number of sites formerly or currently owned and/or operated by Xylem or for which we are responsible under the Distribution Agreement, and other properties or water supplies that may be or have been impacted from those operations, contain disposed or recycled materials or wastes and require environmental investigation and/or remediation. These sites include instances where we have been identified as a potentially responsible party under federal and state environmental laws and regulations. Accruals for environmental matters are recorded on a site-by-site basis when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated, based on current law and existing technologies. Our accrued liabilities for these environmental matters represent the best estimates related to the investigation and remediation of environmental media such as water, soil, soil vapor, air and structures, as well as related legal fees. These estimates, and related accruals, are reviewed quarterly and updated for progress of investigation and remediation efforts and changes in facts and legal circumstances. Liabilities for these environmental expenditures are recorded on an undiscounted basis. We have estimated and accrued $5 million as of both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 for environmental matters. It is difficult to estimate the final costs of investigation and remediation due to various factors, including incomplete information regarding particular sites and other potentially responsible parties, uncertainty regarding the extent of investigation or remediation and our share, if any, of liability for such conditions, the selection of alternative remedial approaches, and changes in environmental standards and regulatory requirements. We believe the total amount accrued is reasonable based on existing facts and circumstances. Warranties We warrant numerous products, the terms of which vary widely. In general, we warrant products against defect and specific non-performance. The table below provides the changes in our product warranty accrual.
(in millions) | 2015 |  | 2014
Warranty accrual – January 1 | $ | 31 |  |  | $ | 37 |
Net changes for product warranties in the period | 21 |  |  | 19 |
Settlement of warranty claims | (21 | ) |  | (23 | )
Foreign currency and other | — |  |  | (1 | )
Warranty accrual - September 30 | $ | 31 |  |  | $ | 32 |

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