XML 200 R129.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.19.3.a.u2

Post-employment benefits for associates - Reconciliation of net liability (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
Pension plans [member] |  |
Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [line items] |  |
Net defined benefit liability | $ (242) | $ (232)
Current service cost | (22) | (28)
Net interest expense | (5) | (6)
Administrative expenses | (1) | (1)
Past service costs and settlements | (2) | (1)
Remeasurements | (36) | 1
Currency translation effects | 6 | 6
Employer contributions | 21 | 19
Effect of acquisitions, divestments or transfers | 5 | (2)
Change in limitation on recognition of fund surplus | (2) | 2
Net defined benefit liability | (278) | (242)
Other post-employment benefit plans [member] |  |
Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [line items] |  |
Net defined benefit liability | (345) | (317)
Current service cost | (8) | (11)
Net interest expense | (14) | (11)
Administrative expenses | 0 | 0
Past service costs and settlements | 0 | 0
Remeasurements | (28) | 5
Currency translation effects | 0 | 0
Employer contributions | (28) | (11)
Effect of acquisitions, divestments or transfers | 0 | 0
Change in limitation on recognition of fund surplus | 0 | 0
Net defined benefit liability | (423) | (345)
Prepaid benefit cost [member] | Pension plans [member] |  |
Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [line items] |  |
Net defined benefit liability | 12 |
Net defined benefit liability | 13 | 12
Prepaid benefit cost [member] | Other post-employment benefit plans [member] |  |
Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [line items] |  |
Net defined benefit liability | 0 |
Net defined benefit liability | 0 | 0
Accrued benefit liability [member] | Pension plans [member] |  |
Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [line items] |  |
Net defined benefit liability | (254) |
Net defined benefit liability | (291) | (254)
Accrued benefit liability [member] | Other post-employment benefit plans [member] |  |
Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [line items] |  |
Net defined benefit liability | (345) |
Net defined benefit liability | $ (423) | $ (345)

X
- Definition Administrative Expenses, Net Defined Benefit Liability (Asset) + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alc_AdministrativeExpensesNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | alc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Increase (Decrease) In Limitation On Surplus (Deficit) In Plan + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alc_IncreaseDecreaseInLimitationOnSurplusDeficitInPlan
Namespace Prefix: | alc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The decrease (increase) in net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from contributions to a defined benefit plan by the employer. [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset); Defined benefit plans [member]] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph f -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_141_f&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ContributionsToPlanByEmployerNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The increase (decrease) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from employee service in the current period. [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_141_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CurrentServiceCostNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Line items represent concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes of the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The decrease (increase) in a net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from the remeasurement of that net defined benefit liability (asset). [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_141_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_GainLossOnRemeasurementOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The increase (decrease) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from business combinations and disposals. [Refer: Business combinations [member]; Net defined benefit liability (asset)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph h -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_141_h&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_IncreaseDecreaseThroughBusinessCombinationsAndDisposalsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The increase (decrease) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates. [Refer: Net defined benefit liability (asset)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph e -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_141_e&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_IncreaseDecreaseThroughChangesInForeignExchangeRatesNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The increase (decrease) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from the passage of time. [Refer: Interest expense; Net defined benefit liability (asset)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph b -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_141_b&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_InterestExpenseIncomeNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of deficit or surplus in a defined benefit plan, adjusted for any effect of limiting a net defined benefit asset to the asset ceiling. [Refer: Defined benefit plans [member]] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 140 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_140_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The increase (decrease) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from past service cost and gains (losses) arising from settlements. [Refer: Gains (losses) arising from settlements, net defined benefit liability (asset); Net defined benefit liability (asset)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph d -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_141_d&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_PastServiceCostAndGainsLossesArisingFromSettlementsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CharacteristicsOfDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=ifrs-full_PensionDefinedBenefitPlansMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CharacteristicsOfDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=ifrs-full_PostemploymentMedicalDefinedBenefitPlansMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | alc_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=alc_PrepaidBenefitCostsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | alc_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=alc_AccruedBenefitLiabilityMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |