Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The following is a summary of our significant accounting policies used to prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements. *Principles of Consolidation* The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cantel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. *Revenue Recognition* Revenue on product sales is recognized as products are shipped to customers and title passes. The passing of title is determined based upon the FOB terms specified for each shipment. With respect to endoscopy, dialysis and specialty packaging products, shipment terms are generally FOB origin for common carrier and when our distribution fleet is utilized (except for one large customer in dialysis whereby all products are shipped FOB destination). With respect to water purification and filtration and healthcare disposable products, shipment terms may be either FOB origin or destination. Customer acceptance for the majority of our product sales occurs at the time of delivery. With respect to a portion of water purification and filtration product sales, equipment is sold as part of a system for which the equipment is functionally interdependent or the customer’s purchase order specifies “ship-complete” as a condition of delivery; revenue recognition on such sales is deferred until all equipment has been delivered, or post-delivery obligations such as installation have been substantially fulfilled such that the products are deemed functional by the end-user. A portion of our endoscopy, water purification and filtration and dialysis sales are recognized as multiple element arrangements, whereby revenue is allocated to the equipment and installation components based upon vendor specific objective evidence, which includes comparable historical transactions of similar equipment and installation sold as stand-alone components. If vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price is not available, we allocate revenue to the elements of the bundled arrangement using the estimated selling price method in order to qualify the components as separate units of accounting. Revenue on the equipment component is recognized as the equipment is shipped to customers and title passes. Revenue on the installation component is recognized when the installation is complete. A portion of our healthcare disposables sales relating to the mail-in spore test kit is recorded as deferred revenue when initially sold. We recognize the revenue on these test kits using an estimate based on historical experience of the amount of time that elapses from the point of sale to when the kit is returned to us and we communicate to the customer the results of the required laboratory test. The related cost of the kits is recorded in inventory and recognized in cost of sales as the revenue is earned. Revenue on service sales is recognized when repairs are completed at the customer’s location or when repairs are completed at our facilities and the products are shipped to customers. With respect to certain service contracts in our Endoscopy and Water Purification and Filtration operating segments, service revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contractual term of the arrangement. All shipping and handling fees invoiced to customers, such as freight, are recorded as revenue (and related costs are included within cost of sales) at the time the sale is recognized. None of our sales contain right-of-return provisions, except a small portion of our sterility assurance products in our Healthcare Disposables segment. With respect to the sterility assurance products, in addition to a restocking fee and payment of freight by the customer, such returns must be undamaged, returned within 90 days and meet certain other criteria before products are accepted for return. As historical returns of these products have been rare, we record a nominal allowance for such product returns. For all other products, customer claims for credit or return due to damage, defect, shortage or other reason must be pre-approved by us before credit is issued or such product is accepted for return. No cash discounts for early payment are offered except with respect to a small portion of our sales of dialysis, healthcare disposable and water purification and filtration products and certain prepaid specialty packaging products. We do not offer price protection, although advance pricing contracts or required notice periods prior to implementation of price increases exist for certain customers with respect to many of our products. With respect to certain of our dialysis, healthcare disposables, water purification and filtration and endoscopy customers, rebates are provided; such rebates, which consist primarily of volume rebates, are provided for as a reduction of sales at the time of revenue recognition and amounted to $4,277,000, $3,836,000 and $3,234,000 in fiscals 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Such allowances are determined based on estimated projections of sales volume for the entire rebate periods. If it becomes known that sales volume to customers will deviate from original projections, the rebate provisions originally established would be adjusted accordingly. Our endoscopy products and services are sold primarily to distributors internationally and directly to hospitals and other end-users in the United States; water purification and filtration products and services are sold directly and through third-party distributors to hospitals, dialysis clinics, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, laboratories, medical products and service companies and other end-users; the majority of our healthcare disposable products are sold to third party distributors and with respect to some of our sterility assurance products, to hospitals, surgery centers, physician and dental offices, dental schools, medical research companies, laboratories and other end-users; the majority of our dialysis products are sold to dialysis clinics and hospitals; and specialty packaging products are sold to third-party distributors, medical research companies, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, government agencies and other end-users. Sales to all of these customers follow our revenue recognition policies. *Translation of Foreign Currency Financial Statements* Assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into United States dollars at year-end exchange rates; sales and expenses are translated using average exchange rates during the year. The cumulative effect of the translation of the accounts of the foreign subsidiaries is presented as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Foreign exchange gains and losses related to the purchase of inventories denominated in foreign currencies are included in cost of sales and foreign exchange gains and losses related to the incurrence of operating costs denominated in foreign currencies and the conversion of foreign assets and liabilities into functional currencies are included in general and administrative expenses. *Cash and Cash Equivalents* We consider all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. *Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts* Accounts receivable consist of amounts due to us from normal business activities. Allowances for doubtful accounts are reserves for the estimated loss from the inability of customers to make required payments. We use historical experience as well as current market information in determining the estimate. While actual losses have historically been within management’s expectations and provisions established, if the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Alternatively, if certain customers paid their delinquent receivables, reductions in allowances may be required. *Inventories* Inventories consist of raw materials, work-in-process and finished products which are sold in the ordinary course of our business and are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. In assessing the value of inventories, we must make estimates and judgments regarding reserves required for product obsolescence, aging of inventories and other issues potentially affecting the saleable condition of products. In performing such evaluations, we use historical experience as well as current market information. With few exceptions, the saleable value of our inventories has historically been within management’s expectation and provisions established, however, rapid changes in the market due to competition, technology and various other factors could have an adverse effect on the saleable value of our inventories, resulting in the need for additional reserves. *Property and Equipment* Property and equipment are stated at cost. Additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repair costs are expensed. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed, the cost and related accumulated depreciation or amortization is removed from the respective accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in income. Depreciation and amortization is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets which generally range from 2-15 years for furniture and equipment, 5-32 years for buildings and improvements and the shorter of the life of the asset or the life of the lease for leasehold improvements. Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment in fiscals 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $7,202,000, $6,801,000 and $6,759,000, respectively. *Goodwill and Intangible Assets* Certain of our identifiable intangible assets, including customer relationships, technology, brand names, non-compete agreements and patents, are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives which range from 2 to 20 years. Additionally, we have recorded goodwill and trademarks and trade names, all of which have indefinite useful lives and are therefore not amortized. All of our intangible assets and goodwill are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, and goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment at least annually. Our management is responsible for determining if impairment exists and considers a number of factors, including third-party valuations, when making these determinations. In accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-08, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other,” (“ASU 2011-08”), we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount before proceeding to step one of the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test, if necessary. Such qualitative factors that are assessed include evaluating a segment’s financial performance, industry and market conditions, macroeconomic conditions and specific issues that can directly affect the segment such as changes in business strategies, competition, supplier relationships, operating costs, regulatory matters, litigation and the composition of the segment’s assets due to acquisitions or other events. At July 31, 2013, because we determined through qualitative factors that the fair values of our Endoscopy, Water Purification and Filtration and Dialysis segments were unlikely to be less than the carrying value, we did not proceed to step one of the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test for those three segments. We performed step one of the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test for Healthcare Disposables (due to the increase in assets related to the SPS Medical Acquisition) and Specialty Packaging (due to fair value exceeding book value by a nominal amount in the prior year). In performing a detailed quantitative review for goodwill impairment, management uses a two-step process that begins with an estimation of the fair value of the related operating segments by using weighted fair value results of the discounted cash flow methodology, as well as the market multiple and comparable transaction methodologies. The first step is a review for potential impairment, and the second step measures the amount of impairment, if any. In accordance with ASU 2012-02, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other,” (“ASU 2012-02”), we perform our annual impairment review for indefinite lived intangibles by first assessing qualitative factors, such as those described above, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of such assets is less than the carrying values, and if necessary, we perform a quantitative analysis comparing the current fair value of our indefinite lived intangibles assets to their carrying values. At July 31, 2013, because we determined through qualitative factors that the fair values of our indefinite lived intangible assets in our Endoscopy and Water Purification and Filtration segments were unlikely to be less than the carrying value, we did not perform a quantitative analysis for those assets. We performed a quantitative analysis for indefinite lived intangible assets in our Healthcare Disposables and Specialty Packaging segments, for the same reasons stated above for our goodwill impairment test, as well as such intangible assets in our Dialysis segment (due to fair value of its indefinite lived intangible assets exceeding book value by a nominal amount in the prior year).With respect to amortizable intangible assets when impairment indicators are present, management would determine whether expected future non-discounted cash flows would be sufficient to recover the carrying value of the assets; if not, the carrying value of the assets would be adjusted to their fair value. On July 31, 2013, management concluded that none of our intangible assets or goodwill was impaired. While the results of these annual reviews have historically not indicated impairment, impairment reviews are highly dependent on management’s projections of our future operating results and cash flows (which management believes to be reasonable), discount rates based on the Company’s weighted average cost of capital and appropriate benchmark peer companies. Assumptions used in determining future operating results and cash flows include current and expected market conditions and future sales and earnings forecasts. Subsequent changes in these assumptions and estimates could result in future impairment. Although we consistently use the same methods in developing the assumptions and estimates underlying the fair value calculations, such estimates are uncertain by nature and can vary from actual results. At July 31, 2013, the average fair value of all of our reporting units exceeded book value by substantial amounts, except our Specialty Packaging segment, which had an average estimated fair value that approximated book value. At July 31, 2013, goodwill relating to our Specialty Packaging reporting unit was $6,968,000. We believe the most significant assumptions impacting the impairment assessment of Specialty Packaging relate to an assumed compounded annual sales growth of 10.7% and future operating efficiencies included in our projections of future operating results and cash flows of this segment, which projections are in excess of historical run rates. If future operating results and cash flows are substantially less than our projections, future impairment charges may be recorded. *Long-Lived Assets* We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets including property, equipment and other assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. An assessment is made to determine if the sum of the expected future non-discounted cash flows from the use of the assets and eventual disposition is less than the carrying value. If the sum of the expected non-discounted cash flows is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized based on fair value. Our historical assessments of our long-lived assets have not differed significantly from the actual amounts realized. However, the determination of fair value requires us to make certain assumptions and estimates and is highly subjective. On July 31, 2013, management concluded that no events or changes in circumstances have occurred that would indicate that the carrying amount of our long-lived assets may not be recoverable. *Other Assets* Debt issuance costs associated with our credit facilities are amortized to interest expense over the life of the credit facilities. As of July 31, 2013 and 2012, such debt issuance costs, net of related amortization, were included in other assets and amounted to $764,000 and $1,074,000, respectively. Debt issuance costs relate to our U.S. Credit Agreement. *Warranties* We provide for estimated costs that may be incurred to remedy deficiencies of quality or performance of our products at the time of revenue recognition. Most of our products have a one year warranty. We record provisions for product warranties as a component of cost of sales based upon an estimate of the amounts necessary to settle existing and future claims on products sold. The historical relationship of warranty costs to products sold is the primary basis for the estimate. A significant increase in third party service repair rates, the cost and availability of parts or the frequency of claims could have a material adverse impact on our results for the period or periods in which such claims or additional costs materialize. Management reviews its warranty exposure periodically and believes that the warranty reserves are adequate; however, actual claims incurred could differ from original estimates, requiring adjustments to the reserves. *Stock-Based Compensation* We account for stock options and stock awards in which stock compensation expense is recognized for any option or stock award grant based upon the award’s fair value. All of our stock options and stock awards (which consist only of restricted stock) are subject to graded vesting in which portions of the award vest at different times during the vesting period, as opposed to awards that vest at the end of the vesting period. We recognize compensation expense for awards subject to graded vesting using the straight-line basis, reduced by estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience. The stock-based compensation expense recorded in our Consolidated Financial Statements may not be representative of the effect of stock-based compensation expense in future periods due to the level of awards issued in past years (which level may not be similar in the future), modifications to existing awards, accelerated vesting related to certain employment terminations and assumptions used in determining fair value, expected lives and estimated forfeitures. We determine the fair value of each stock award using the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant. We estimate the fair value of each option grant on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The determination of fair value using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the expected option life (which is determined by using the historical closing prices of our common stock), the expected dividend yield (which historically has been 0% and is now approximately 0.3% as we began paying dividends in January 2010), and the expected option life (which is based on historical exercise behavior). *Legal Proceedings* In the normal course of business, we are subject to pending and threatened legal actions. It is our policy to accrue for amounts related to these legal matters if it is probable that a liability has been incurred and an amount of anticipated exposure can be reasonably estimated. We do not believe that any of these pending claims or legal actions will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. *Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities* We recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities, such as costs to terminate a contract, the exit or disposal of a business, or the early termination of a leased property, by recognizing the liability at fair value when incurred, except for certain one-time termination benefits, such as severance costs, for which the period of recognition begins when a severance plan is communicated to employees. Inherent in the calculation of liabilities relating to exit and disposal activities are significant management judgments and estimates, including estimates of termination costs, employee attrition and the interest rate used to discount certain expected net cash payments. Such judgments and estimates are reviewed by us on a regular basis. The cumulative effect of a change to a liability resulting from a revision to either timing or the amount of estimated cash flows is recognized by us as an adjustment to the liability in the period of the change. *Earnings Per Common Share* Basic EPS is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year. Diluted EPS is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year plus the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents using the treasury stock method and the average market price of our common stock for the year. We include participating securities (unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents) in the computation of EPS pursuant to the two-class method. Our participating securities consist solely of unvested restricted stock awards, which have contractual participation rights equivalent to those of stockholders of unrestricted common stock. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an allocation method that calculates earnings per share for common stock and participating securities. *Advertising Costs* Our policy is to expense advertising costs as they are incurred. Advertising costs charged to expense were $2,308,000, $2,507,000 and $2,062,000 for fiscals 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. *IncomeTaxes* We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities also include items recorded in conjunction with the purchase accounting for business acquisitions as well as net operating loss carryforwards. We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability and establish a valuation allowance, if necessary, based on historical taxable income, projected future taxable income, and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the recorded deferred tax assets, as adjusted for valuation allowances, will be realized. Additionally, deferred tax liabilities are regularly reviewed to confirm that such amounts are appropriately stated. A review of our deferred tax items considers known future changes in various income tax rates, principally in the United States. If the income tax rate were to change in the future, particularly in the United States and to a lesser extent Canada, our items of deferred tax could be materially affected. All of such evaluations require significant management judgments. We record liabilities for an unrecognized tax benefit when a tax benefit for an uncertain tax position is taken or expected to be taken on a tax return, but is not recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements because it does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold that the uncertain tax position would be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority. Any adjustments upon resolution of income tax uncertainties are recognized in our results of operations. Unrecognized tax benefits are analyzed periodically and adjustments are made as events occur to warrant adjustment to the related liability. Medical Device Taxes The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 imposes significant new taxes on medical device makers in the form of an excise tax on certain U.S. medical device sales that began in January 2013. A significant portion of our sales are considered medical device sales under this new legislation. We calculate medical device excise taxes based on the latest available regulations and recognize the excise taxes in cost of sales at the time the medical device revenue is recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Income. In fiscal 2013, we recorded excise taxes of $2,087,000 in cost of sales. The regulations regarding the calculations of the medical device taxes are complicated in nature and certain aspects can be subject to interpretation causing the IRS to issue notices clarifying various aspects of these new taxes. Although we have made all reasonable efforts to record accurate excise taxes, the determination of the tax requires us to make certain assumptions and estimates. Actual taxes for the period could differ from original estimates requiring adjustments to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Business Combinations** Acquisitions require significant estimates and judgments related to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We determine fair value based on the estimated price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Certain liabilities and reserves are subjective in nature. We reflect such liabilities and reserves based upon the most recent information available. In conjunction with our acquisitions, such subjective liabilities and reserves principally include contingent consideration, certain income tax and sales and use tax exposures, including tax liabilities related to our foreign subsidiaries, as well as reserves for accounts receivable, inventories and warranties. We account for contingent consideration relating to business combinations in accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations,” which requires us to record the fair value of contingent consideration as a liability and an increase to goodwill at the date of the acquisition and continually re-measure the liability at each balance sheet date by recording changes in the fair value through our Consolidated Statements of Income. We determine the fair value of contingent consideration based on future operating projections under various potential scenarios and weight the probability of these outcomes. Similarly, other components of an acquisition’s purchase price can be required to be recorded at fair value at the date of the acquisition and continually re-measured at each balance sheet date, such as the three year price floor relating to the Byrne acquisition which fair value was determined using an option valuation model, as further described in Notes 3 and 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The ultimate settlement of liabilities relating to business combinations may be for amounts which are materially different from the amounts initially recorded and may cause volatility in our results of operations. *Use of Estimates* The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate the adequacy of our reserves and the estimates used in calculations of reserves as well as other judgmental financial statement items, including, but not limited to: collectability of accounts receivable, volume rebates and trade-in allowances, inventory values and obsolescence reserves, warranty reserves, contingent consideration, depreciation and amortization periods, deferred income taxes, goodwill and intangible assets, impairment of long-lived assets, unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions, medical device excise tax expense, reserves for legal exposure, stock-based compensation and expense accruals. Such estimates and assumptions are subjective in nature. We reflect such amounts based upon the most recent information available. *Recent Accounting Pronouncements* In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists,” (“ASU 2013-11”), which requires an unrecognized tax benefit to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. To the extent the tax benefit is not available at the reporting date under the governing tax law or if the entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability and not combined with deferred tax assets. ASU 2013-11 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments are to be applied to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist as of the effective date and may be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of ASU 2013-11 on our financial position and results of operations. In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” (“ASU 2013-02”), which requires presentation of reclassification adjustments from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income either in a single note or parenthetically on the face of the financial statements, for those amounts required to be reclassified into net income in their entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts not required to be reclassified in their entity in the same reporting period, cross-reference to other disclosures is required. ASU 2013-02 is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. Accordingly, we adopted ASU 2013-02 in our fiscal 2013 third quarter ended April 30, 2013. The adoption of this disclosure guidance, as shown in Note 12, did not have any impact upon our financial position and results of operations. In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” (“ASU 2011-05”), which requires entities to present net income and other comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive, statements of net income and other comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Accordingly, we adopted ASU 2011-05 in our fiscal 2013 first quarter ended October 31, 2012. The adoption of this disclosure guidance of including the Statements of Comprehensive Income as an addition to our Consolidated Financial Statements did not have any impact upon our financial position and results of operations.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of our significant accounting policies used to prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cantel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue on product sales is recognized as products are shipped to customers and title passes. The passing of title is determined based upon the FOB terms specified for each shipment. With respect to endoscopy, dialysis and specialty packaging products, shipment terms are generally FOB origin for common carrier and when our distribution fleet is utilized (except for one large customer in dialysis whereby all products are shipped FOB destination). With respect to water purification and filtration and healthcare disposable products, shipment terms may be either FOB origin or destination. Customer acceptance for the majority of our product sales occurs at the time of delivery. With respect to a portion of water purification and filtration product sales, equipment is sold as part of a system for which the equipment is functionally interdependent or the customer’s purchase order specifies “ship-complete” as a condition of delivery; revenue recognition on such sales is deferred until all equipment has been delivered, or post-delivery obligations such as installation have been substantially fulfilled such that the products are deemed functional by the end-user.

A portion of our endoscopy, water purification and filtration and dialysis sales are recognized as multiple element arrangements, whereby revenue is allocated to the equipment and installation components based upon vendor specific objective evidence, which includes comparable historical transactions of similar equipment and installation sold as stand-alone components. If vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price is not available, we allocate revenue to the elements of the bundled arrangement using the estimated selling price method in order to qualify the components as separate units of accounting. Revenue on the equipment component is recognized as the equipment is shipped to customers and title passes. Revenue on the installation component is recognized when the installation is complete.

A portion of our healthcare disposables sales relating to the mail-in spore test kit is recorded as deferred revenue when initially sold. We recognize the revenue on these test kits using an estimate based on historical experience of the amount of time that elapses from the point of sale to when the kit is returned to us and we communicate to the customer the results of the required laboratory test. The related cost of the kits is recorded in inventory and recognized in cost of sales as the revenue is earned.

Revenue on service sales is recognized when repairs are completed at the customer’s location or when repairs are completed at our facilities and the products are shipped to customers. With respect to certain service contracts in our Endoscopy and Water Purification and Filtration operating segments, service revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contractual term of the arrangement. All shipping and handling fees invoiced to customers, such as freight, are recorded as revenue (and related costs are included within cost of sales) at the time the sale is recognized.

None of our sales contain right-of-return provisions, except a small portion of our sterility assurance products in our Healthcare Disposables segment. With respect to the sterility assurance products, in addition to a restocking fee and payment of freight by the customer, such returns must be undamaged, returned within 90 days and meet certain other criteria before products are accepted for return. As historical returns of these products have been rare, we record a nominal allowance for such product returns. For all other products, customer claims for credit or return due to damage, defect, shortage or other reason must be pre-approved by us before credit is issued or such product is accepted for return. No cash discounts for early payment are offered except with respect to a small portion of our sales of dialysis, healthcare disposable and water purification and filtration products and certain prepaid specialty packaging products. We do not offer price protection, although advance pricing contracts or required notice periods prior to implementation of price increases exist for certain customers with respect to many of our products. With respect to certain of our dialysis, healthcare disposables, water purification and filtration and endoscopy customers, rebates are provided; such rebates, which consist primarily of volume rebates, are provided for as a reduction of sales at the time of revenue recognition and amounted to $4,277,000, $3,836,000 and $3,234,000 in fiscals 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Such allowances are determined based on estimated projections of sales volume for the entire rebate periods. If it becomes known that sales volume to customers will deviate from original projections, the rebate provisions originally established would be adjusted accordingly.

Our endoscopy products and services are sold primarily to distributors internationally and directly to hospitals and other end-users in the United States; water purification and filtration products and services are sold directly and through third-party distributors to hospitals, dialysis clinics, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, laboratories, medical products and service companies and other end-users; the majority of our healthcare disposable products are sold to third party distributors and with respect to some of our sterility assurance products, to hospitals, surgery centers, physician and dental offices, dental schools, medical research companies, laboratories and other end-users; the majority of our dialysis products are sold to dialysis clinics and hospitals; and specialty packaging products are sold to third-party distributors, medical research companies, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, government agencies and other end-users. Sales to all of these customers follow our revenue recognition policies.

Translation of Foreign Currency Financial Statements

Assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into United States dollars at year-end exchange rates; sales and expenses are translated using average exchange rates during the year. The cumulative effect of the translation of the accounts of the foreign subsidiaries is presented as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Foreign exchange gains and losses related to the purchase of inventories denominated in foreign currencies are included in cost of sales and foreign exchange gains and losses related to the incurrence of operating costs denominated in foreign currencies and the conversion of foreign assets and liabilities into functional currencies are included in general and administrative expenses.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable consist of amounts due to us from normal business activities. Allowances for doubtful accounts are reserves for the estimated loss from the inability of customers to make required payments. We use historical experience as well as current market information in determining the estimate. While actual losses have historically been within management’s expectations and provisions established, if the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Alternatively, if certain customers paid their delinquent receivables, reductions in allowances may be required.

Inventories

Inventories consist of raw materials, work-in-process and finished products which are sold in the ordinary course of our business and are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. In assessing the value of inventories, we must make estimates and judgments regarding reserves required for product obsolescence, aging of inventories and other issues potentially affecting the saleable condition of products. In performing such evaluations, we use historical experience as well as current market information. With few exceptions, the saleable value of our inventories has historically been within management’s expectation and provisions established, however, rapid changes in the market due to competition, technology and various other factors could have an adverse effect on the saleable value of our inventories, resulting in the need for additional reserves.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repair costs are expensed. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed, the cost and related accumulated depreciation or amortization is removed from the respective accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in income. Depreciation and amortization is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets which generally range from 2-15 years for furniture and equipment, 5-32 years for buildings and improvements and the shorter of the life of the asset or the life of the lease for leasehold improvements. Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment in fiscals 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $7,202,000, $6,801,000 and $6,759,000, respectively.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Certain of our identifiable intangible assets, including customer relationships, technology, brand names, non-compete agreements and patents, are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives which range from 2 to 20 years. Additionally, we have recorded goodwill and trademarks and trade names, all of which have indefinite useful lives and are therefore not amortized. All of our intangible assets and goodwill are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, and goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment at least annually. Our management is responsible for determining if impairment exists and considers a number of factors, including third-party valuations, when making these determinations.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-08, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other,” (“ASU 2011-08”), we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount before proceeding to step one of the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test, if necessary. Such qualitative factors that are assessed include evaluating a segment’s financial performance, industry and market conditions, macroeconomic conditions and specific issues that can directly affect the segment such as changes in business strategies, competition, supplier relationships, operating costs, regulatory matters, litigation and the composition of the segment’s assets due to acquisitions or other events. At July 31, 2013, because we determined through qualitative factors that the fair values of our Endoscopy, Water Purification and Filtration and Dialysis segments were unlikely to be less than the carrying value, we did not proceed to step one of the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test for those three segments. We performed step one of the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test for Healthcare Disposables (due to the increase in assets related to the SPS Medical Acquisition) and Specialty Packaging (due to fair value exceeding book value by a nominal amount in the prior year). In performing a detailed quantitative review for goodwill impairment, management uses a two-step process that begins with an estimation of the fair value of the related operating segments by using weighted fair value results of the discounted cash flow methodology, as well as the market multiple and comparable transaction methodologies. The first step is a review for potential impairment, and the second step measures the amount of impairment, if any.

In accordance with ASU 2012-02, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other,” (“ASU 2012-02”), we perform our annual impairment review for indefinite lived intangibles by first assessing qualitative factors, such as those described above, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of such assets is less than the carrying values, and if necessary, we perform a quantitative analysis comparing the current fair value of our indefinite lived intangibles assets to their carrying values. At July 31, 2013, because we determined through qualitative factors that the fair values of our indefinite lived intangible assets in our Endoscopy and Water Purification and Filtration segments were unlikely to be less than the carrying value, we did not perform a quantitative analysis for those assets. We performed a quantitative analysis for indefinite lived intangible assets in our Healthcare Disposables and Specialty Packaging segments, for the same reasons stated above for our goodwill impairment test, as well as such intangible assets in our Dialysis segment (due to fair value of its indefinite lived intangible assets exceeding book value by a nominal amount in the prior year).With respect to amortizable intangible assets when impairment indicators are present, management would determine whether expected future non-discounted cash flows would be sufficient to recover the carrying value of the assets; if not, the carrying value of the assets would be adjusted to their fair value. On July 31, 2013, management concluded that none of our intangible assets or goodwill was impaired.

While the results of these annual reviews have historically not indicated impairment, impairment reviews are highly dependent on management’s projections of our future operating results and cash flows (which management believes to be reasonable), discount rates based on the Company’s weighted average cost of capital and appropriate benchmark peer companies. Assumptions used in determining future operating results and cash flows include current and expected market conditions and future sales and earnings forecasts. Subsequent changes in these assumptions and estimates could result in future impairment. Although we consistently use the same methods in developing the assumptions and estimates underlying the fair value calculations, such estimates are uncertain by nature and can vary from actual results. At July 31, 2013, the average fair value of all of our reporting units exceeded book value by substantial amounts, except our Specialty Packaging segment, which had an average estimated fair value that approximated book value. At July 31, 2013, goodwill relating to our Specialty Packaging reporting unit was $6,968,000. We believe the most significant assumptions impacting the impairment assessment of Specialty Packaging relate to an assumed compounded annual sales growth of 10.7% and future operating efficiencies included in our projections of future operating results and cash flows of this segment, which projections are in excess of historical run rates. If future operating results and cash flows are substantially less than our projections, future impairment charges may be recorded.

Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets including property, equipment and other assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. An assessment is made to determine if the sum of the expected future non-discounted cash flows from the use of the assets and eventual disposition is less than the carrying value. If the sum of the expected non-discounted cash flows is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized based on fair value. Our historical assessments of our long-lived assets have not differed significantly from the actual amounts realized. However, the determination of fair value requires us to make certain assumptions and estimates and is highly subjective. On July 31, 2013, management concluded that no events or changes in circumstances have occurred that would indicate that the carrying amount of our long-lived assets may not be recoverable.

Other Assets

Debt issuance costs associated with our credit facilities are amortized to interest expense over the life of the credit facilities. As of July 31, 2013 and 2012, such debt issuance costs, net of related amortization, were included in other assets and amounted to $764,000 and $1,074,000, respectively. Debt issuance costs relate to our U.S. Credit Agreement.

Warranties

We provide for estimated costs that may be incurred to remedy deficiencies of quality or performance of our products at the time of revenue recognition. Most of our products have a one year warranty. We record provisions for product warranties as a component of cost of sales based upon an estimate of the amounts necessary to settle existing and future claims on products sold. The historical relationship of warranty costs to products sold is the primary basis for the estimate. A significant increase in third party service repair rates, the cost and availability of parts or the frequency of claims could have a material adverse impact on our results for the period or periods in which such claims or additional costs materialize. Management reviews its warranty exposure periodically and believes that the warranty reserves are adequate; however, actual claims incurred could differ from original estimates, requiring adjustments to the reserves.

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock options and stock awards in which stock compensation expense is recognized for any option or stock award grant based upon the award’s fair value. All of our stock options and stock awards (which consist only of restricted stock) are subject to graded vesting in which portions of the award vest at different times during the vesting period, as opposed to awards that vest at the end of the vesting period. We recognize compensation expense for awards subject to graded vesting using the straight-line basis, reduced by estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience.

The stock-based compensation expense recorded in our Consolidated Financial Statements may not be representative of the effect of stock-based compensation expense in future periods due to the level of awards issued in past years (which level may not be similar in the future), modifications to existing awards, accelerated vesting related to certain employment terminations and assumptions used in determining fair value, expected lives and estimated forfeitures. We determine the fair value of each stock award using the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant. We estimate the fair value of each option grant on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The determination of fair value using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the expected option life (which is determined by using the historical closing prices of our common stock), the expected dividend yield (which historically has been 0% and is now approximately 0.3% as we began paying dividends in January 2010), and the expected option life (which is based on historical exercise behavior).

Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of business, we are subject to pending and threatened legal actions. It is our policy to accrue for amounts related to these legal matters if it is probable that a liability has been incurred and an amount of anticipated exposure can be reasonably estimated. We do not believe that any of these pending claims or legal actions will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities

We recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities, such as costs to terminate a contract, the exit or disposal of a business, or the early termination of a leased property, by recognizing the liability at fair value when incurred, except for certain one-time termination benefits, such as severance costs, for which the period of recognition begins when a severance plan is communicated to employees.

Inherent in the calculation of liabilities relating to exit and disposal activities are significant management judgments and estimates, including estimates of termination costs, employee attrition and the interest rate used to discount certain expected net cash payments. Such judgments and estimates are reviewed by us on a regular basis. The cumulative effect of a change to a liability resulting from a revision to either timing or the amount of estimated cash flows is recognized by us as an adjustment to the liability in the period of the change.

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic EPS is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year. Diluted EPS is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year plus the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents using the treasury stock method and the average market price of our common stock for the year. We include participating securities (unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents) in the computation of EPS pursuant to the two-class method. Our participating securities consist solely of unvested restricted stock awards, which have contractual participation rights equivalent to those of stockholders of unrestricted common stock. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an allocation method that calculates earnings per share for common stock and participating securities.

Advertising Costs

Our policy is to expense advertising costs as they are incurred. Advertising costs charged to expense were $2,308,000, $2,507,000 and $2,062,000 for fiscals 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

IncomeTaxes

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities also include items recorded in conjunction with the purchase accounting for business acquisitions as well as net operating loss carryforwards. We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability and establish a valuation allowance, if necessary, based on historical taxable income, projected future taxable income, and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the recorded deferred tax assets, as adjusted for valuation allowances, will be realized. Additionally, deferred tax liabilities are regularly reviewed to confirm that such amounts are appropriately stated. A review of our deferred tax items considers known future changes in various income tax rates, principally in the United States. If the income tax rate were to change in the future, particularly in the United States and to a lesser extent Canada, our items of deferred tax could be materially affected. All of such evaluations require significant management judgments.

We record liabilities for an unrecognized tax benefit when a tax benefit for an uncertain tax position is taken or expected to be taken on a tax return, but is not recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements because it does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold that the uncertain tax position would be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority. Any adjustments upon resolution of income tax uncertainties are recognized in our results of operations. Unrecognized tax benefits are analyzed periodically and adjustments are made as events occur to warrant adjustment to the related liability.

Medical Device Taxes

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 imposes significant new taxes on medical device makers in the form of an excise tax on certain U.S. medical device sales that began in January 2013. A significant portion of our sales are considered medical device sales under this new legislation. We calculate medical device excise taxes based on the latest available regulations and recognize the excise taxes in cost of sales at the time the medical device revenue is recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Income. In fiscal 2013, we recorded excise taxes of $2,087,000 in cost of sales. The regulations regarding the calculations of the medical device taxes are complicated in nature and certain aspects can be subject to interpretation causing the IRS to issue notices clarifying various aspects of these new taxes. Although we have made all reasonable efforts to record accurate excise taxes, the determination of the tax requires us to make certain assumptions and estimates. Actual taxes for the period could differ from original estimates requiring adjustments to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Business Combinations

Acquisitions require significant estimates and judgments related to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We determine fair value based on the estimated price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

Certain liabilities and reserves are subjective in nature. We reflect such liabilities and reserves based upon the most recent information available. In conjunction with our acquisitions, such subjective liabilities and reserves principally include contingent consideration, certain income tax and sales and use tax exposures, including tax liabilities related to our foreign subsidiaries, as well as reserves for accounts receivable, inventories and warranties. We account for contingent consideration relating to business combinations in accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations,” which requires us to record the fair value of contingent consideration as a liability and an increase to goodwill at the date of the acquisition and continually re-measure the liability at each balance sheet date by recording changes in the fair value through our Consolidated Statements of Income. We determine the fair value of contingent consideration based on future operating projections under various potential scenarios and weight the probability of these outcomes. Similarly, other components of an acquisition’s purchase price can be required to be recorded at fair value at the date of the acquisition and continually re-measured at each balance sheet date, such as the three year price floor relating to the Byrne acquisition which fair value was determined using an option valuation model, as further described in Notes 3 and 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The ultimate settlement of liabilities relating to business combinations may be for amounts which are materially different from the amounts initially recorded and may cause volatility in our results of operations.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate the adequacy of our reserves and the estimates used in calculations of reserves as well as other judgmental financial statement items, including, but not limited to: collectability of accounts receivable, volume rebates and trade-in allowances, inventory values and obsolescence reserves, warranty reserves, contingent consideration, depreciation and amortization periods, deferred income taxes, goodwill and intangible assets, impairment of long-lived assets, unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions, medical device excise tax expense, reserves for legal exposure, stock-based compensation and expense accruals. Such estimates and assumptions are subjective in nature. We reflect such amounts based upon the most recent information available.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists,” (“ASU 2013-11”), which requires an unrecognized tax benefit to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. To the extent the tax benefit is not available at the reporting date under the governing tax law or if the entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability and not combined with deferred tax assets. ASU 2013-11 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments are to be applied to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist as of the effective date and may be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of ASU 2013-11 on our financial position and results of operations.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” (“ASU 2013-02”), which requires presentation of reclassification adjustments from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income either in a single note or parenthetically on the face of the financial statements, for those amounts required to be reclassified into net income in their entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts not required to be reclassified in their entity in the same reporting period, cross-reference to other disclosures is required. ASU 2013-02 is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. Accordingly, we adopted ASU 2013-02 in our fiscal 2013 third quarter ended April 30, 2013. The adoption of this disclosure guidance, as shown in Note 12, did not have any impact upon our financial position and results of operations.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” (“ASU 2011-05”), which requires entities to present net income and other comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive, statements of net income and other comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Accordingly, we adopted ASU 2011-05 in our fiscal 2013 first quarter ended October 31, 2012. The adoption of this disclosure guidance of including the Statements of Comprehensive Income as an addition to our Consolidated Financial Statements did not have any impact upon our financial position and results of operations.