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Provisions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Text Block [Abstract]  
Provisions
19. Provisions
Provisions are recognised where a legal or constructive obligation exists at the balance sheet date, as a result of a past event, where the amount of the obligation can be reliably estimated and where the outflow of economic benefit is probable.
   
€ million
   € million 
Provisions
  
2020
   2019 
Due within one year
  
 
547
 
   620 
Due after one year
  
 
583
 
   664 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total provisions
  
 
1,130
 
   1,284 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 

 
  
€ million
 
 
€ million
 
 
€ million
 
 
€ million
 
 
€ million
 
         
Brazil
       
Movements during 2020
  
Restructuring
  
Legal
  
indirect taxes
  
Other
  
Total
 
1 January 2020  
 
470
 
 
 
149
 
 
 
128
 
 
 
537
 
 
 
1,284
 
Additions through business combinations  
 
—
  
 
 
 
4
 
 
 
—
  
 
 
 
57
 
 
 
61
 
Income Statement:                     
Charges
  
 
151
 
 
 
129
 
 
 
4
 
 
 
140
 
 
 
424
 
Releases
  
 
(87
) 
 
 
(5
) 
 
 
(20
) 
 
 
(59
) 
 
 
(171
) 
Utilisation  
 
(252
) 
 
 
(27
) 
 
 
(1
) 
 
 
(44
) 
 
 
(324
) 
Currency translation  
 
(18
) 
 
 
(23
) 
 
 
(37
) 
 
 
(66
) 
 
 
(144
) 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
31 December 2020  
 
264
 
 
 
227
 
 
 
74
 
 
 
565
 
 
 
1,130
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Restructuring provisions primarily include people costs such as redundancy costs and the cost of compensation where manufacturing, distribution, service or selling agreements are to be terminated. The Group expects these provisions to be substantially utilised within the next few years.
The Group is involved from time to time in legal and arbitration proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. As previously disclosed, along with other consumer products companies and retail customers, Unilever is involved in a number of ongoing investigations by national competition authorities. These proceedings and investigations are at various stages and concern a variety of product markets. Where specific issues arise, provisions are made to the extent appropriate. Due to the nature of the legal cases, the timing of utilisation of these provisions is uncertain.
Provisions for Brazil indirect taxes are comprised of disputes with Brazilian authorities, in particular relating to tax credits that can be taken for the PIS and COFINS indirect taxes. These provisions are separate from the matters listed as contingent liabilities in note 20. Unilever does not have provisions and contingent liabilities for the same matters. Due to the nature of disputed indirect taxes, the timing of utilisation of these provisions is uncertain.
Other includes provisions for indirect taxes in countries other than Brazil, interest on tax provisions and provisions for various other matters. The timing of utilisation of these provisions is uncertain.