Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Our Consolidated Financial Statements include all of the accounts of the Company and our subsidiaries. We have eliminated all significant intercompany transactions and balances in consolidation. All amounts are in millions, except per share amounts, and are approximate due to rounding.

During the first quarter of 2015, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with NOVIPAX, a portfolio company of Atlas Holdings LLC, to sell our North American foam trays and absorbent pads business. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the North American foam trays and absorbent pads business met the held for sale criteria and was classified as such in all periods presented in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, effective November 1, 2015 we completed the sale of our European food trays business, which included Sealed Air’s manufacturing facilities in Poole, UK, and Bunol, Spain, to Faerch Plast A/S, a European food packaging solutions provider. During the fourth quarter of 2015, the European food trays business met the held for sale criteria and was classified as such in all periods presented in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to Note 3, “Divestitures and Acquisitions” of the notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

As of April 15, 2015, we realigned our regional organization which did not impact our reportable segments. There was no change to our previously reported Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows due to our change in regional organization. Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for further details on the realignment.

Reclassifications and Revisions

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, certain amounts related to foreign currency gains and losses, including the remeasurement loss related to Venezuelan subsidiaries in 2014 and 2013, and the settlement of foreign currency forward contracts were misclassified on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The revision of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for these items for the year ended December 31, 2014 has no impact on cash used in operating activities, resulted in a decrease to cash used in investing activities of $15.2 million and a decrease of $15.2 million related to the effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash. The revision of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for these items for the year ended December 31, 2013 resulted in an increase in cash provided by operating activities of $15.6 million, a decrease to cash used in investing activities of $8.5 million and an increase of in cash of $7.1 million related to the effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash.

Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2014, certain amounts related to external payment terms and compensating balance arrangements were misclassified in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The revision of these items resulted in a decrease of $12.8 million in accounts payable and an increase of $12.8 million in short-term borrowings related to extended payment terms on a vendor agreement and a decrease of $36.2 million in cash and an increase in other current assets ($9.7 million) and other non-current assets ($26.5 million) related to cash deposits held in compensating balance arrangement for certain short-term borrowing agreements on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The revision of these items on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows resulted in a decrease to cash provided by operating activities of $12.8 million and an increase to cash used in financing activities of $23.3 million.

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, certain foreign currency translation adjustments were misclassified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets within the components of Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes, and on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) within the Recognition of deferred pension items and Unrealized losses on derivative instruments for cash flow hedges. The revision of the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014 for these items was a decrease to Unrecognized pension items of $13.6 million, an increase to Cumulative translation adjustment of $12.6 million, and an increase to Unrealized net gains (loss) on derivatives for cash flow hedges of $1.0 million. The revision of the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for these items for the year ended December 31, 2014 resulted in a decrease in recognition of deferred pension items of $16.5 million, an increase in unrealized losses on derivative instruments for cash flow hedge of $0.6 million, and an increase in the foreign currency translation adjustments of $15.9 million. The revision of these items on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for these items for the year ended December 31, 2013 resulted in an increase in recognition of deferred pension items of $2.8 million, an increase in unrealized losses on derivative instruments for cash flow hedge of $0.5 million, and a decrease in the foreign currency translation adjustments of $3.3 million. These classification adjustments did not result in a change to total stockholders’ equity, total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, or total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes.

In 2015, we recorded an out of period adjustment of $46 million related to excess tax benefits from the Settlement agreement. Refer to Note 16, “Income Taxes” of the notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

On December 6, 2013, we completed the sale of our rigid medical packaging business. The operating results for the rigid medical packaging business were reclassified to discontinued operations, net of tax, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2013. See Note 3, “Divestitures and Acquisition,” for further information.

In addition, certain other prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications, individually and in the aggregate, had no impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenue and expenses during the period reported. These estimates include, among other items, assessing the collectability of receivables, the use and recoverability of inventory, the estimation of fair value of financial instruments, assumptions used in the calculation of income taxes, useful lives and recoverability of tangible assets and goodwill and other intangible assets, assumptions used in our defined benefit pension plans and other post employment benefit plans, estimates related to self-insurance such as the aggregate liability for uninsured claims using historical experience, insurance and actuarial estimates and estimated trends in claim values, fair value measurement of assets, costs for incentive compensation and accruals for commitments and contingencies. We review these estimates and assumptions periodically using historical experience and other factors and reflect the effects of any revisions in the Consolidated Financial Statements in the period we determine any revisions to be necessary. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Financial Instruments

We may use financial instruments, such as cross currency swaps, interest rate swaps, caps and collars, U.S. Treasury lock agreements and foreign currency exchange forward contracts and options relating to our borrowing and trade activities. We may use these financial instruments from time to time to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We do not purchase, hold or sell derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. We face credit risk if the counterparties to these transactions are unable to perform their obligations. Our policy is to have counterparties to these contracts that are rated at least BBB- by Standard & Poor’s and Baa3 by Moody’s.

We report derivative instruments at fair value and establish criteria for designation and effectiveness of transactions entered into for hedging purposes. Before entering into any derivative transaction, we identify our specific financial risk, the appropriate hedging instrument to use to reduce this risk, and the correlation between the financial risk and the hedging instrument. We use forecasts and historical data as the basis for determining the anticipated values of the transactions to be hedged. We do not enter into derivative transactions that do not have a high correlation with the underlying financial risk we are trying to reduce. We regularly review our hedge positions and the correlation between the transaction risks and the hedging instruments.

We account for derivative instruments as hedges of the related underlying risks if we designate these derivative instruments as hedges and the derivative instruments are effective as hedges of recognized assets or liabilities, forecasted transactions, unrecognized firm commitments or forecasted intercompany transactions.

We record gains and losses on derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges in other comprehensive income, to the extent that hedges are effective and until the underlying transactions are recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, at which time we recognize the gains and losses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We recognize gains and losses on qualifying fair value hedges and the related loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Generally, our practice is to terminate derivative transactions if the underlying asset or liability matures or is sold or terminated, or if we determine the underlying forecasted transaction is no longer probable of occurring. Any deferred gains or losses associated with derivative instruments are recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Operations over the period in which the income or expense on the underlying hedged transaction is recognized.

See Note 12, “Derivatives and Hedging Activities,” for further details.

Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments

In determining fair value of financial instruments, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible and consider counterparty credit risk in our assessment of fair value. We determine fair value of our financial instruments based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability in the principal or most advantageous market. When considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the following fair value hierarchy distinguishes between observable and unobservable inputs, which are categorized in one of the following levels:

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Level 1 Inputs: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible to the reporting entity at the measurement date.

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Level 2 Inputs: Other than quoted prices included in Level 1 inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

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Level 3 Inputs: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at measurement date.

Our fair value measurements for our financial instruments are subjective and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect our estimates. See Note 13, “Fair Value Measurements and Other Financial Instruments,” for further details on our fair value measurements.

Foreign Currency Translation

In non-U.S. locations that are not considered highly inflationary, we translate the balance sheets at the end of period exchange rates with translation adjustments accumulated in stockholders’ equity on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We translate the statements of operations at the average exchange rates during the applicable period.

We translate assets and liabilities of our operations in countries with highly inflationary economies at the end of period exchange rates, except that nonmonetary asset and liability amounts are translated at historical exchange rates. In countries with highly inflationary economies, we translate items reflected in the statements of operations at average rates of exchange prevailing during the period, except that nonmonetary amounts are translated at historical exchange rates.

Impact of Inflation and Currency Fluctuation

Venezuela

Economic and political events in Venezuela have continued to expose us to heightened levels of foreign currency exchange risk. Accordingly, Venezuela has been designated a highly inflationary economy under U.S. GAAP, and the U.S. dollar replaced the bolivar fuerte as the functional currency for our subsidiaries in Venezuela. All bolivar-denominated monetary assets and liabilities are re-measured into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate available to us, and any changes in the exchange rate are reflected in foreign currency exchange gains and losses related to our Venezuelan subsidiaries on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

On February 8, 2013, the Venezuelan government announced a devaluation of the bolivar exchange rate from 4.3 bolivars to the U.S. dollar to 6.3 bolivars to the U.S. dollar. We used this official exchange rate of 6.3 bolivars to the U.S. dollar to re-measure the bolivar-denominated assets and liabilities of our Venezuelan subsidiaries for U.S. GAAP financial statement presentation as of December 31, 2013. As a result of the changes in the exchange rates, we recognized a pretax loss of $13 million in 2013 due to the remeasurement of our Venezuelan subsidiaries’ financial statements and the impact due to the settlement of bolivar-denominated transactions.

On March 18, 2013, the Venezuelan government announced the creation of an alternative foreign currency mechanism called the Supplementary Foreign Currency Administration System, known as the SICAD. During December 2013, the Venezuelan government issued a new rule allowing the Central Bank to publish the average SICAD rate (previously it was prohibited by law to publish any rate different from the official exchange rate) which was 11.3 bolivars per U.S. dollar. As stated above, at December 31, 2013 we re-measured our Venezuelan subsidiaries financial statements using the official exchange rate of 6.3 bolivars to the U.S. dollar since we were not eligible to use the SICAD rate at that time.

In January 2014, the government expanded the use of SICAD and created a new agency called the National Center of Foreign Commerce or CENCOEX which replaced the Commission for the Administration of Foreign Exchange or “CADIVI”. In February 2014, the government opened a new exchange called SICAD 2, which would allow for more exchanges of U.S. dollars and allow more companies the ability to obtain U.S. dollars, including for dividend remittances. This market began to operate on March 24, 2014. Therefore, there were 4 legal mechanisms at this time to exchange Bolívars for US dollars:

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CENCOEX at the official rate of 6.3;

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CENCOEX at the latest published SICAD auction rate;

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SICAD 1 auction process at the awarded exchange rate; and

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SICAD 2 at the negotiated exchange rate.

During 2014, we evaluated which legal mechanisms were available to each Venezuelan subsidiary to access U.S. dollars and also estimated the excess cash position over the next 18 months. We concluded that as of December 31, 2014 the excess cash position for our Venezuelan subsidiaries would be remeasured at the SICAD 2 rate, which was 49.9883 at December 31, 2014, since that would be the only mechanism available to access U.S. dollars to be able to make a dividend payment. For the remaining bolivar- denominated cash balances and all other bolivar-denominated monetary assets and liabilities, we determined that since we still had access to and were receiving U.S. dollars via the CENCOEX official rate of 6.3 we continued to remeasure these items at that rate as of December 31, 2014. For any U.S. dollar denominated monetary asset or liability such amounts do not get remeasured at month-end since it is already an asset or liability denominated in U.S. dollars. However, such amounts were considered and included in the excess cash analysis and an evaluation of the applicable exchange mechanism such amounts could be obtained or settled at was considered. As a result of this evaluation, the Company reported a remeasurement loss of $20 million in 2014.

In February 2015, the Venezuelan government announced a new foreign exchange platform called the Marginal Currency System or SIMADI. The SIMADI basically replaced the SICAD 2 rate as noted above. When this market opened on February 12, 2015 the rate was 170.0390 and then at December 31, 2015 it was 198.6986. The SICAD 1 and the SICAD 2 were merged into the SICAD. The opening rate was 12 for the SICAD and at December 31, 2015 it was 13.5. In addition, the CENCOEX will continue and provide preferential treatment for certain import operations such as food and medicines.

Since these changes were announced by the Venezuelan government, the new SIMADI market has had very little activity and companies have not been able to access this market to obtain U.S. dollars. In addition, the SICAD rate which is established via auctions has had no auctions held since October 2014. However, in June 2015 an auction was held for the automotive parts and school supplies industries.

Therefore, there are now three legal mechanisms at this time to exchange bolivars for US dollars:

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CENCOEX at the official rate of 6.3;

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SICAD auction process at the awarded exchange rate (opening rate at 12 and at December 31, 2015 it was 13.5); and

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SIMADI at the negotiated rate (rate of 198.6986 at December 31, 2015).

At December 31, 2015, we evaluated which legal mechanisms were available to our Venezuelan subsidiaries to access U.S. dollars. Starting June 2015 and at December 31, 2015, we concluded that we will use the SIMADI rate to remeasure our bolivar denominated monetary assets and liabilities since it is our only legally available option and our intent on a go-forward basis to utilize this market to settle any future transactions based on the current facts and circumstances. The SIMADI rate as of December 31, 2015 was 198.6986. During 2015, the Company did not receive U.S. dollars via the CENCOEX official rate of 6.3. We expect that we will only have limited access to the CENCOEX market to settle certain past transactions. However, if the option becomes available to us to use the CENCOEX in the future, the Company will consider this further. In addition, there have been no SICAD auctions for the food or chemical industries as of December 31, 2015. During 2015, we have only been able to access the SIMADI market and during 2015 only received minimal amounts of U.S. dollars. For any U.S. dollar denominated monetary asset or liability, such amounts do not get remeasured at month-end since it is already an asset or liability denominated in U.S. dollars. As a result of this evaluation, the Company reported a remeasurement loss of $33 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. We will continue to evaluate each reporting period the appropriate exchange rate to remeasure our financial statements based on the facts and circumstances at that time.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, approximately 1% of our consolidated net sales and operating income were derived from our businesses in Venezuela. As of December 31, 2015, we had net assets of $5 million in Venezuela, which included cash and cash equivalents of $1 million. Also, as of December 31, 2015, our Venezuelan subsidiaries had a negative cumulative translation adjustment balance of $46 million.

Commitments and Contingencies — Litigation

On an ongoing basis, we assess the potential liabilities related to any lawsuits or claims brought against us. While it is typically very difficult to determine the timing and ultimate outcome of these actions, we use our best judgment to determine if it is probable that we will incur an expense related to the settlement or final adjudication of these matters and whether a reasonable estimation of the probable loss, if any, can be made. In assessing probable losses, we make estimates of the amount of insurance recoveries, if any. We accrue a liability when we believe a loss is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Due to the inherent uncertainties related to the eventual outcome of litigation and potential insurance recovery, it is possible that disputed matters may be resolved for amounts materially different from any provisions or disclosures that we have previously made. We expense legal costs, including those legal costs expected to be incurred in connection with a loss contingency, as incurred.

Revenue Recognition

Our revenue earning activities primarily involve manufacturing and selling products, and we consider revenues to be earned when we have completed the process by which we are entitled to receive consideration. The following criteria are used for revenue recognition: persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, shipment has occurred, selling price is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured.

Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and therefore are excluded from net sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Charges for rebates and other allowances are recognized as a deduction from revenue on an accrual basis in the period in which the associated revenue is recorded. When we estimate our rebate accruals, we consider customer-specific contractual commitments including stated rebate rates and history of actual rebates paid. Our rebate accruals are reviewed at each reporting period and adjusted to reflect data available at that time. We adjust the accruals to reflect any differences between estimated and actual amounts. These adjustments impact the amount of net sales recognized by us in the period of adjustment. Charges for rebates and other allowances were approximately 9% of gross sales in 2015, 2014 and 2013. We expect 2016 rebates and other allowances to be approximately the same percentage of gross sales as in 2015.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Costs incurred for the transfer and delivery of goods to customers are recorded as a component of cost of sales.

Research and Development

We expense research and development costs as incurred. Research and development costs were $129 million in 2015, $135 million in 2014 and $133 million in 2013.

Share-Based Incentive Compensation

At the 2014 Annual Meeting, the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”), was approved by our stockholders. The Omnibus Plan replaced the 2005 Contingent Stock Plan, and no new awards were granted under that plan. Any awards outstanding under the 2005 Contingent Stock Plan on the date of stockholder approval of the Omnibus Plan will remain subject to and be paid under the 2005 Contingent Stock Plan, See Note 18, “Stockholders’ Equity,” for further information on this plan.

We record share-based compensation awards exchanged for employee services at fair value on the date of grant and record the expense for these awards in cost of sales and in selling, general and administrative expense, as applicable, on our Consolidated Statements of Operations over the requisite employee service period. Share-based incentive compensation expense includes an estimate for forfeitures and anticipated achievement levels and is generally recognized over the expected term of the award on a straight-line basis.

Environmental Expenditures

We expense or capitalize environmental expenditures that relate to ongoing business activities, as appropriate. We expense costs that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and which do not contribute to current or future net sales. We record liabilities when we determine that environmental assessments or remediation expenditures are probable and that we can reasonably estimate the associated cost or a range of costs.

Income Taxes

We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. Our non-U.S. subsidiaries file income tax returns in their respective local jurisdictions. We provide for U.S. income taxes on those portions of our foreign subsidiaries’ accumulated earnings that we believe are not reinvested indefinitely in our businesses.

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method to provide for income taxes on all transactions recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and tax benefit carry forwards. We determine deferred tax assets and liabilities at the end of each period using enacted tax rates.

We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with tax authorities. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

See Note 16, “Income Taxes,” for further discussion.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Our policy is to invest cash in excess of short-term operating and debt service requirements in cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value because of the short term maturity of the instruments. Our policy is to transact with counterparties that are rated at least A- by Standard & Poor’s and A3 by Moody’s. Some of our operations are located in countries that are rated below A- or A3. In this case, we try to minimize our risk by holding cash and cash equivalents at financial institutions with which we have existing global relationships whenever possible, diversifying counterparty exposures and minimizing the amount held by each counterparty and within the country in total.

Accounts Receivable Securitization Programs

We and a group of our U.S. operating subsidiaries maintain an accounts receivable securitization program under which they sell eligible U.S. accounts receivable to an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary that was formed for the sole purpose of entering into this program. The wholly-owned subsidiary in turn may sell an undivided fractional ownership interest in these receivables with two banks and an issuer of commercial paper administered by these banks. The wholly-owned subsidiary retains the receivables it purchases from the operating subsidiaries. Any transfers of undivided fractional ownership interests of receivables under the U.S. receivables securitization program to the two banks and an issuer of commercial paper administered by these banks are considered secured borrowings with pledge of collateral and will be classified as short-term borrowings on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net trade receivables that served as collateral for these borrowings are reclassified from trade receivables, net to prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In February 2013, we entered into a European accounts receivable securitization and purchase program with a special purpose vehicle, or SPV, two banks and a group of our European subsidiaries. The European program is structured to be a securitization of certain trade receivables that are originated by certain of our European subsidiaries. The SPV borrows funds from the banks to fund its acquisition of the receivables and provides the banks with a first priority perfected security interest in the accounts receivable. We do not have an equity interest in the SPV. We concluded the SPV is a variable interest entity because its total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the SPV to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from the bank via loans or via the collections from accounts receivable already purchased. Additionally, we are considered the primary beneficiary of the SPV since we control the activities of the SPV, and are exposed to the risk of uncollectable receivables held by the SPV. Therefore, the SPV is consolidated in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Any activity between the participating subsidiaries and the SPV is eliminated in consolidation. Loans from the banks to the SPV will be classified as short-term borrowings on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net trade receivables that served as collateral for these borrowings are reclassified from trade receivables, net to prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

See Note 8, “Accounts Receivable Securitization Programs” for further details.

Trade Receivables, Net

In the normal course of business, we extend credit to customers that satisfy pre-defined credit criteria. Trade receivables, which are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, are net of allowances for doubtful accounts. We maintain trade receivable allowances for estimated losses resulting from the likelihood of failure of our customers to make required payments. An additional allowance may be required if the financial condition of our customers deteriorates.

Inventories

During the fourth quarter of 2014, we changed the method of valuing our inventories that used the LIFO method to the FIFO method, so that all of our inventories are now determined using the FIFO method. We state inventories at the lower of cost or market. Costs related to inventories include raw materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead which are included in cost of sales on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Property and Equipment, Net

We state property and equipment at cost, except for the fair value of acquired property and equipment and property and equipment that have been impaired, for which we reduce the carrying amount to the estimated fair value at the impairment date. We capitalize significant improvements and charge repairs and maintenance costs that do not extend the lives of the assets to expense as incurred. We remove the cost and accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise disposed of from the accounts and recognize any resulting gain or loss upon the disposition of the assets.

We depreciate the cost of property and equipment over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis as follows: buildings — 20 to 40 years; machinery and equipment — 5 to 10 years; and other property and equipment — 2 to 10 years.

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate of the following (1) consideration transferred, (2) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and, (3) if the business combination is achieved in stages, the acquisition-date fair value of our previously held equity interest in the acquiree over the net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed.

Identifiable intangible assets consist primarily of patents, licenses, trademarks, trade names, customer lists and relationships, non-compete agreements and technology based intangibles and other contractual agreements. We amortize finite lived identifiable intangible assets over the shorter of their stated or statutory duration or their estimated useful lives, generally ranging from 3 to 15 years, on a straight-line basis to their estimated residual values and periodically review them for impairment. Total identifiable intangible assets comprise 11% in both 2015 and 2014 of our consolidated total assets.

We use the acquisition method of accounting for all business combinations and do not amortize goodwill or intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested for possible impairment annually during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.

Long-Lived Assets

Impairment and Disposal of Long-Lived Assets

For definite-lived intangible assets, such as customer relationships, contracts, intellectual property, and for other long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, whenever impairment indicators are present, we perform a review for impairment. We calculate the undiscounted value of the projected cash flows associated with the asset, or asset group, and compare this estimated amount to the carrying amount. If the carrying amount is found to be greater, we record an impairment loss for the excess of book value over the fair value. In addition, in all cases of an impairment review, we re-evaluate the remaining useful lives of the assets and modify them, as appropriate.

For indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as in-process research and development and trademarks and trade names, each year and whenever impairment indicators are present, we determine the fair value of the asset and record an impairment loss for the excess of book value over the fair value, if any. In addition, in all cases of an impairment review other than for in-process research and development assets, we re-evaluate whether continuing to characterize the asset as indefinite-lived is appropriate. See Note 7, “Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets” for additional details.

Self-Insurance

We retain the obligation for specified claims and losses related to property, casualty, workers’ compensation and employee benefit claims. We accrue for outstanding reported claims and claims that have been incurred but not reported based upon management’s estimates of the aggregate liability for retained losses using historical experience, insurance company estimates and the estimated trends in claim values. Our estimates include management’s and independent insurance companies’ assumptions regarding economic conditions, the frequency and severity of claims and claim development patterns and settlement practices. These estimates and assumptions are monitored and evaluated on a periodic basis by management and are adjusted when warranted by changing circumstances. Although management believes it has the ability to adequately project and record estimated claim payments, actual results could differ significantly from the recorded liabilities.

Pensions

For a number of our U.S. employees and our international employees, we maintain defined benefit pension plans. We are required to make assumptions regarding the valuation of projected benefit obligations and the performance of plan assets for our defined benefit pension plans.

We review and approve the assumptions made by our third-party actuaries regarding the valuation of benefit obligations and performance of plan assets. The principal assumptions concern the discount rate used to measure future obligations, the expected future rate of return on plan assets, the expected rate of future compensation increases and various other actuarial assumptions. The measurement date used to determine benefit obligations is December 31 for all material plans (November 30 for non-material plans). The measurement date used to determine plan assets is December 31 for all plans. In general, significant changes to these assumptions could have a material impact on the costs and liabilities recorded in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

See Note 14, “Profit Sharing, Retirement Savings Plans and Defined Benefit Pension Plans,” for information about the Company’s benefit plans.

Net Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Non-vested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends are treated as participating securities and therefore included in computing earnings per common share using the “two-class method.” The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that calculates basic and diluted net earnings per common share for each class of common stock separately based on dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The non-vested restricted stock issued under our Omnibus Plan and our 2005 Contingent Stock Plan are considered participating securities since these securities have non-forfeitable rights to dividends when we declare a dividend during the contractual vesting period of the share-based payment award and therefore included in our earnings allocation formula using the two-class method.

When calculating diluted net earnings per common share, the more dilutive effect of applying either of the following is presented: (a) the two-class method (described above) assuming that the participating security is not exercised or converted, or, (b) the treasury stock method for the participating security. Our diluted net earnings per common share for all periods presented were calculated using the two-class method since such method was more dilutive.

See Note 21, “Net Earnings Per Common Share,” for further discussion.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In November 2015, Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) 2015-17 Income Taxes (Topic 740), Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (“ASU 2015-17”). This ASU will simplify the presentation of deferred tax assets and liabilities by requiring companies to classify all deferred tax as noncurrent on the balance sheet instead of separating deferred taxes into current and noncurrent amounts. ASU 2015-17 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. However, as early adoption is available, we have adopted this standard as of December 31, 2015 with retroactive application. Adoption of ASU 2015-17 resulted in a decrease in current deferred tax assets of $105.6 million, an increase in non-current deferred tax assets of $17.0 million, a decrease in current deferred tax liabilities of $4.8 million and a decrease in non-current deferred tax liabilities of $83.8 million as of December 31, 2014.

In June 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-10, “Technical Corrections and Improvements.” This ASU corrects for differences between original guidance and the ASC and makes minor improvements affecting several topics. This adoption does not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 —Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This ASU requires equity investments except those under the equity method of accounting to be measured at fair value with the changes in fair value recognized in net income. The amendment simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. In addition, it also requires enhanced disclosures about investments. The amendments in ASU 2016-01 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application for certain provisions is allowed but early adoption of the amendments is not permitted. An entity should apply the amendments by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We are currently in the process of evaluating this new standard update.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16 – Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. This ASU requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustments amounts are determined. The ASU also requires that in the same period, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendments in ASU 2015-16 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years and will be applied prospectively for adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after that date. Earlier application is permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The impact of ASU 2015-16 will depend on any future events whereby we have any business combinations and any adjustments to the provisional amounts identified during the measurement period are recorded.

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-12, Plan Accounting: Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Topic 960), Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962), Health and Welfare Benefit Plans (Topic 965): (Part I) Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts, (Part II) Plan Investment Disclosures, (Part III) Measurement Date Practical Expedient (“ASU 2015-12”). This ASU designates contract value as the only required measure for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts; simplifies the investment disclosure requirements under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) topic 820 for fair value, and topics 960, 962 and 965 for employee benefit plans; and provides a similar measurement date practical expedient for employee benefit plans. The amendments in ASU 2015-12 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. We are currently in the process of evaluating this new standard update.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (“ASU 2015-11”), which applies to inventory valued at first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost. ASU 2015-11 requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, rather than at the lower of cost or market. ASU 2015-11 is effective on a prospective basis for annual periods, including interim reporting periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently in the process of evaluating this new standard update.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement (“ASU 2015-05”). This ASU will help entities evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement. It provides guidance about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. The amendments in ASU 2015-05 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. An entity can elect to adopt either prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date or retrospectively. We are currently in the process of evaluating this new standard update.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (“ASU 2015-03”). This ASU will simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. It will require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements — Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting (SEC Update) (“ASU 2015-15”). This ASU clarifies that as line of credit arrangements were not specifically discussed in ASU 2015-03, the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line of credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. ASU 2015-15 should be adopted concurrent with the adoption of ASU 2015-03. The amendments in ASU 2015-03 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. We are currently in the process of evaluating this new standard update.

In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-17, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Pushdown Accounting (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force),” (“ASU 2014-17”). ASU 2014-17 provides an acquired entity with an option to apply pushdown accounting in its separate financial statements upon occurrence of an event in which an acquirer obtains control of the acquired entity. The amendments in ASU 2014-17 are effective November 18, 2014 and an acquired entity can make an election to apply the guidance to future change-in-control events or to its most recent change-in-control event. The effects of ASU 2014-17 will depend on any future events whereby we obtain control of an entity and elect to apply pushdown accounting.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period,” (“ASU 2014-12”). ASU 2014-12 requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Prior to the issuance of ASU 2014-12, U.S. GAAP did not contain explicit guidance on how to account for those share-based payments. Many reporting entities accounted for performance targets that could be achieved after the requisite service period as performance conditions that affect the vesting of the award and, therefore, did not reflect the performance target in the estimate of the grant-date fair value of the award. Other reporting entities treated those performance targets as non-vesting conditions that affected the grant-date fair value of the award. We currently treat performance targets that affect vesting as a performance condition and, as such, it is not included in the grant-date fair value. Therefore, the impact upon adoption would not be material to our consolidated financial position or results of operations. The amendments in ASU 2014-12 are effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier application is permitted.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” (“ASU 2014-09”). Previous revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP comprised broad revenue recognition concepts together with numerous revenue requirements for particular industries or transactions, which sometimes resulted in different accounting for economically similar transactions. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve this core principal, five steps are required to be applied. In addition, ASU 2014-09 expands and enhances disclosure requirements which require disclosing sufficient information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. This includes both qualitative and quantitative information. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date,” (“ASU 2015-14”). The amendments in ASU 2015-14 delay the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and allow early adoption as of the original public entity effective date. We are currently in the process of evaluating this new standard update.