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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Policy

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2018

Effective January 1, 2018, PPG adopted Accounting Standard Updates (“ASU”) No. 2017-07, "Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost." This ASU requires the service cost component of these costs to be disaggregated from all other components and to be reported in the same line item or items as other compensation costs. The other components of these costs are required to be presented in the consolidated statement of income separately from the service cost component. This ASU required retrospective adoption for all prior periods presented.

The effect of the retrospective adoption on the consolidated statement of income related to the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs was as follows:



	For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
($ in millions)	As Previously Reported		Reclassifications			As Revised
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization		$8,207		$2			$8,209
Selling, general and administrative		$3,564		($10	)		$3,554
Research and development, net		$453		($2	)		$451
Other charges		$64		$10			$74
Income before income taxes		$2,005		$—			$2,005



	For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
($ in millions)	As Previously Reported		Reclassifications			As Revised
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization		$7,693		($28	)		$7,665
Selling, general and administrative		$3,588		($33	)		$3,555
Research and development, net		$459		($6	)		$453
Other charges		$175		$67			$242
Income before income taxes		$779		$—			$779

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” This ASU allows a reclassification from Accumulated other comprehensive income to Retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. PPG early adopted this standard in the first quarter of 2018 using the specific identification method and recorded a reclassification from Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income to Retained earnings on the consolidated balance sheet of $107 million.

Effective January 1, 2018, PPG adopted ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606.” See Note 2, “Revenue Recognition” for further details regarding the impact of adoption of this standard.

PPG’s adoption of the following ASU’s in 2018 did not have a material impact on PPG's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows:



Accounting Standard Update
2018-14	Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans
2017-12	Derivatives and Hedging - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities
2017-09	Stock Compensation - Scope of Modification Accounting
2016-16	Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory
2016-15	Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
2016-01	Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Policy

Receivables and Allowances

All trade receivables are reported on the consolidated balance sheet at the outstanding principal adjusted for any allowance for credit losses and any charge offs. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts to reduce receivables to their estimated net realizable value when it is probable that a loss will be incurred. Those estimates are based on historical collection experience, current economic and market conditions, a review of the aging of accounts receivable and the assessments of current creditworthiness of customers.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PPG Industries, Inc. (“PPG” or the “Company”) and all subsidiaries, both U.S. and non-U.S., that it controls. PPG owns more than 50% of the voting stock of most of the subsidiaries that it controls. For those consolidated subsidiaries in which the Company’s ownership is less than 100%, the outside shareholders’ interests are shown as noncontrolling interests. Investments in companies in which PPG owns 20% to 50% of the voting stock and has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the investee are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. As a result, PPG’s share of income or losses from such equity affiliates is included in the consolidated statement of income and PPG’s share of these companies’ shareholders’ equity is included in Investments on the consolidated balance sheet. Transactions between PPG and its subsidiaries are eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates also include the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed resulting from the allocation of the purchase price related to business combinations consummated. Actual outcomes could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized as performance obligations with the customer are satisfied, at an amount that is determined to be collectible. For the sale of products, this generally occurs at the point in time when control of the Company’s products transfers to the customer based on the agreed upon shipping terms.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling are reported in Net sales in the consolidated statement of income. Shipping and handling costs incurred by the Company for the delivery of goods to customers are included in Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statement of income.

2. Revenue Recognition

Background

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606.” This ASU replaces nearly all existing U.S. GAAP guidance on revenue recognition. The standard prescribes a five-step model for recognizing revenue, the application of which may require significant judgment. The new guidance requires PPG to evaluate the transfer of promised goods or services to customers and recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods and services.

The Company recognizes revenue when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the customer and in amounts that the Company expects to collect. The timing of revenue recognition takes into consideration the various shipping terms applicable to the Company’s sales. For most transactions, control passes in accordance with agreed upon delivery terms. This approach is consistent with the Company’s historical revenue recognition methodology.

The Company delivers products to company-owned stores, home centers and other regional or national consumer retail outlets, paint dealers, concessionaires and independent distributors, company-owned distribution networks, and directly to manufacturing companies and retail customers. Each product delivered to a third party customer is considered to satisfy a performance obligation. Performance obligations generally occur at a point in time and are satisfied when control of the goods passes to the customer. The Company is entitled to collection of the sales price under normal credit terms in the regions in which it operates. Accounts receivable are recognized when there is an unconditional right to consideration. Payment terms vary from customer to customer, depending on creditworthiness, prior payment history and other considerations.

The Company also provides services by applying coatings to customers' manufactured parts and assembled products and by providing technical support to certain customers. Performance obligations are satisfied over time as critical milestones are met and as services are provided. PPG is entitled to payment as the services are rendered. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, service revenue constituted approximately 5% of total revenue.

Net sales by segment and region for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:



	Performance Coatings						Industrial Coatings						Total Net Sales
($ in millions)	2018		2017		2016		2018		2017		2016		2018		2017		2016
United States and Canada		$4,062		$4,031		$4,055		$2,423		$2,276		$2,199		$6,485		$6,307		$6,254
EMEA	2,936		2,761		2,619		1,742		1,628		1,545		4,678		4,389		4,164
Asia Pacific	1,071		970		959		1,547		1,553		1,472		2,618		2,523		2,431
Latin America	1,018		968		947		575		561		474		1,593		1,529		1,421
Total		$9,087		$8,730		$8,580		$6,287		$6,018		$5,690		$15,374		$14,748		$14,270

The Company adopted the ASU using the modified retrospective approach which required the financial statements to reflect the new standard as of January 1, 2018, and as a result, contracts that ended prior to January 1, 2018 were not included within the Company’s assessment. Accordingly, the amounts in the comparative consolidated statements of income and consolidated balance sheet have not been adjusted for the adoption of this standard. The ASU also provided additional clarity that resulted in reclassifications to or from Net sales, Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, Selling, general and administrative and Other income. Certain costs historically reported in Selling, general and administrative costs will now be recorded in Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statement of income, as they represent costs incurred in satisfaction of performance obligations. In addition, the cost of certain customer incentives are now recorded as a reduction of Net sales rather than Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization or Selling, general and administrative costs.

The following table summarizes the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2018:



	Year Ended December 31, 2018
($ in millions)	Without adoption			Adjustments			As Reported
Net sales		$15,399			($25	)		$15,374
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization		$8,925			$76			$9,001
Selling, general and administrative		$3,682			($109	)		$3,573
Other income		($122	)		$8			($114	)
Income before income taxes		$1,693			$—			$1,693

Selling, General and Administrative Costs

Amounts presented in Selling, general and administrative in the consolidated statement of income are comprised of selling, customer service, distribution and advertising costs, as well as the costs of providing corporate-wide functional support in such areas as finance, law, human resources and planning. Distribution costs pertain to the movement and storage of finished goods inventory at company-owned and leased warehouses and other distribution facilities.

Advertising Costs, Policy

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred

Research and Development Expense, Policy

Research and Development

Research and development costs, which consist primarily of employee related costs, are charged to expense as incurred.

Legal Costs

Legal costs, primarily include costs associated with acquisition and divestiture transactions, general litigation, environmental regulation compliance, patent and trademark protection and other general corporate purposes, are charged to expense as incurred.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to operating losses and tax credit carryforwards as well as differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in Income tax expense in the consolidated statement of income in the period that includes the enactment date.

A valuation allowance will be provided against deferred tax assets if PPG determines it is more likely than not such assets will not ultimately be realized.

PPG does not recognize a tax benefit unless it concludes that it is more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based solely on the technical merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, PPG recognizes a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that, in PPG’s judgment, is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized. PPG records interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in Income tax expense in the consolidated statement of income.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of most significant non-U.S. operations is their local currency. Assets and liabilities of those operations are translated into U.S. dollars using year-end exchange rates; income and expenses are translated using the average exchange rates for the reporting period. Unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses are deferred in Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheet.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments (valued at cost, which approximates fair value) acquired with an original maturity of three months or less.

Short-term Investments

Short-term investments are highly liquid, high credit quality investments (valued at cost plus accrued interest) that have stated maturities of greater than three months to less than one year. The purchases and sales of these investments are classified as Investing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Marketable Equity Securities

The Company’s investment in marketable equity securities is recorded at fair market value and reported as Other current assets and Investments on the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair market value recorded in income.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Most U.S. inventories are stated at cost, using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method of accounting, which does not exceed net realizable value. All other inventories are stated at cost, using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method of accounting, which does not exceed net realizable value. PPG determines cost using either average or standard factory costs, which approximate actual costs, excluding certain fixed costs such as depreciation and property taxes. See Note 4, “Working Capital Detail” for further information concerning the Company’s inventory.

Derivatives, Policy

Derivative Financial Instruments

Property

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of related assets. Additional depreciation expense is recorded when facilities or equipment are subject to abnormal economic conditions, restructuring actions or obsolescence.

The cost of significant improvements that add to productive capacity or extend the lives of properties are capitalized. Costs for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. When a capitalized asset is retired or otherwise disposed of, the original cost and related accumulated depreciation balance are removed from the accounts and any related gain or loss is recorded in Income before income taxes in the consolidated statement of income. The amortization cost of capitalized leased assets is recorded in Depreciation expense in the consolidated statement of income. Property and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. See Note 5, “Property, Plant and Equipment” for further details.

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the fair value of acquired identifiable tangible and intangible assets less liabilities assumed from acquired businesses. Identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations are recorded based upon their fair value at the date of acquisition.

PPG is a multinational manufacturer with 9 operating segments (which the Company refers to as “strategic business units”) that are organized based on the Company’s major products lines. These operating segments are also the Company’s reporting units for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment, which is tested at least annually in connection with PPG’s strategic planning process. The Company tests goodwill for impairment by either performing a qualitative evaluation or a quantitative test. The qualitative evaluation is an assessment of factors, including reporting unit specific operating results as well as industry, market and general economic conditions, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair values of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. The Company may elect to bypass this qualitative assessment for some or all of its reporting units and perform a quantitative test. The quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed during the fourth quarter by comparing the estimated fair value of the associated reporting unit as of September 30 to its carrying value. Fair value is estimated using discounted cash flow methodologies.

The Company has determined that certain acquired trademarks have indefinite useful lives. The Company tests the carrying value of these trademarks for impairment at least annually, or as needed whenever events and circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. The annual assessment takes place in the fourth quarter of each year either by completing a qualitative assessment or quantitatively by comparing the estimated fair value of each trademark as of September 30 to its carrying value. Fair value is estimated by using the relief from royalty method (a discounted cash flow methodology). The qualitative assessment includes consideration of factors, including revenue relative to the asset being assessed, the operating results of the related business as well as industry, market and general economic conditions, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount.

Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives (1 to 30 years) and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Product Warranties

Product warranties

The Company accrues for product warranties at the time the associated products are sold based on historical claims experience. The reserve, pre-tax charges against income and cash outlays for product warranties were not significant to the consolidated financial statements of the Company for any year presented.

Asset Retirement Obligations

An asset retirement obligation represents a legal obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that is incurred upon the acquisition, construction, development or normal operation of that long-lived asset. PPG recognizes asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The asset retirement obligation is subsequently adjusted for changes in fair value. The associated estimated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset and depreciated over its useful life. PPG’s asset retirement obligations are primarily associated with the retirement or closure of certain assets used in PPG’s manufacturing process. The accrued asset retirement obligation is recorded in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet, and was $22 million and $19 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

PPG’s only conditional asset retirement obligation relates to the possible future abatement of asbestos contained in certain PPG production facilities. The asbestos in PPG’s production facilities arises from the application of normal and customary building practices in the past when the facilities were constructed. This asbestos is encapsulated in place and, as a result, there is no current legal requirement to abate it. Because there is no requirement to abate, the Company does not have any current plans or an intention to abate and therefore the timing, method and cost of future abatement, if any, are not known. The Company has not recorded an asset retirement obligation associated with asbestos abatement, given the uncertainty concerning the timing of future abatement, if any.

Accounting Standard to be Adopted in Future Years

Accounting Standards to be Adopted in Future Years

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software." This ASU requires capitalization of certain implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods therein with early adoption permitted. PPG does not believe this ASU will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses.” This ASU requires an organization to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods therein. Entities may chose to adopt the new ASU as of its fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018. PPG does not plan to early adopt this standard. PPG does not believe this ASU will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases.” This ASU requires all lessees to recognize on the balance sheet right to use assets and lease liabilities for the rights and obligations created by lease arrangements with terms greater than 12 months. Additionally, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, "Targeted Improvements." This ASU provides an additional transition method to adopt the new leasing standard. Under this new transition method, an entity initially applies the new leasing standard using a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings but will continue to report comparative periods under existing guidance in accordance with ASC 840, Leases. PPG adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2019, using this new transition method and does not expect a material cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of Retained earnings. The Company is nearly complete in assessing the impact the adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements and expects an impact on assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet in the range of $700 million to $750 million. These lease obligations will be classified as debt on the consolidated balance sheet. Due to the corresponding increase in total debt, the Company’s total debt to total debt and equity ratio and other financial ratios that include total debt or total capital will be impacted with the adoption of this ASU in the first quarter of 2019.