Significant accounting policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of presentation

Basis of presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) as applicable to interim financial reporting. These condensed consolidated financial statements, in the Company’s opinion, include all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity. The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the full year. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Univar Solutions includes the combined results of all directly and indirectly controlled companies, which have been adjusted to account for the elimination of intercompany balances and transactions.

On our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019, the amounts included in “net proceeds under revolving credit facilities,” which were previously included in “proceeds from issuance of long-term debt,” are now presented separately to conform to the current year presentation.

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. These condensed consolidated financial statements and related footnotes are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements and Accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13 “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses” (Topic 326), which requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. The transition to the new methodology did not have a significant financial impact and the Company did not recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit.

On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2018-13 “Fair Value Measurement” (Topic 820), which modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying and adding certain disclosures.

On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2018-15 “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software” (Subtopic 350-40), which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a service contract hosting arrangement with those for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The Company adopted this guidance on a prospective basis.

Accounting pronouncements issued and not yet adopted

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14 “Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General” (Subtopic 715-20), which amends the disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The Company will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2021 and is currently determining the impacts that will be reflected in financial statement disclosures.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12 “Income Taxes” (Topic 740) – “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” The Company will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2021 and is currently determining the impacts of the guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04 “Reference Rate Reform” (Topic 848) – “Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting,” which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying US GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform from currently referenced rates, such as LIBOR, to alternative rates. The ASU is effective beginning March 12, 2020 and the Company may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently determining the impacts of the guidance on our consolidated financial statements.