NEWELL BRANDS INC.

Previous wording

Although the Company has long-established relationships with many customers, the Company generally does not have any long-term supply or binding contracts or guarantees of minimum purchases with its largest customers. Purchase commitments by these customers are generally made using individual purchase orders. As a result, these customers may cancel their orders, change purchase quantities from forecast volumes, delay purchases for a number of reasons beyond the Company’s control or change other terms of the business relationship. Significant or numerous cancellations, reductions, delays in purchases or changes in business practices by customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, because many of the Company’s costs are fixed, a reduction in customer demand due to decreased sales to end consumers could have an adverse effect on the Company’s profitability. The retail landscape in many of the Company’s markets continues to be impacted by the rapid growth of e-commerce retailers, changing consumer preferences (including shopping online and through mobile commerce and social applications) and the emergence of alternative retail channels, such as subscription services and direct-to-consumer businesses. The rapid growth in e-commerce and emergence of alternative retail channels may adversely affect the Company’s relationships with its key retailers, whereby the number of products it sells will no longer be a reliable indicator of the amount of future business the Company can expect.

Current wording

Although the Company has long-established relationships with many customers, the Company generally does not have long-term supply or binding contracts or guarantees of minimum purchases with its largest customers. Purchase commitments by these customers are generally made using individual purchase orders. As a result, these customers may cancel their orders, change purchase quantities from forecast volumes, delay purchases for a number of reasons beyond the Company’s control or change other terms of the business relationship. Significant or numerous cancellations, reductions, delays in purchases or changes in business practices by customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, because many of the Company’s costs are fixed, a reduction in customer demand due to decreased sales to end consumers could have an adverse effect on the Company’s profitability. The retail landscape in many of the Company’s markets continues to be impacted by the rapid growth of e-commerce retailers, changing consumer preferences (including shopping online and through mobile commerce and social applications) and the emergence of alternative retail channels, such as subscription services and direct-to-consumer businesses. The rapid growth in e-commerce and emergence of alternative retail channels may adversely affect the Company’s relationships with its key retailers, whereby the number of products it sells will no longer be a reliable indicator of the amount of future business the Company can expect.

Previous wording

The Company’s plans to execute its turnaround plan and restructuring initiatives, improve productivity, reduce complexity and costs may not be successful, which would materially adversely affect its financial results.

Current wording

The Company’s plans to execute its turnaround plan and restructuring initiatives, improve productivity and reduce complexity and costs may not be successful, which would materially adversely affect its financial results.

Previous wording

The Company’s use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools in its operations and systems poses inherent risk and could adversely affect the Company’s operations and financial conditions. The Company’s success may increasingly become dependent on its ability to effectively leverage AI to support its operational efficiencies, such as in supply chain and support functions, and its product development and marketing capabilities. The Company may be outpaced by its competitors in their more successful or earlier adoption of AI solutions, which could negatively affect the Company’s commercial competitiveness. Use of AI exposes the Company to risks that such AI solutions may be deficient, produce inaccurate or misleading output, become inoperable or subject the Company to cybersecurity and data privacy breaches, all of which could lead to operational disruptions, flawed decision-making, increased costs, and an inhibited ability to improve product development and marketing through the use of AI, and could impact the Company’s operational effectiveness and financial condition. Additionally, the use of certain AI solutions could put the Company’s own information and intellectual property rights at risk, or expose the Company to risk of infringing third parties’ intellectual property or other rights. The global legal, regulatory, and ethical landscape surrounding AI is rapidly evolving and remains uncertain, which creates continued compliance risk and may incur additional operational costs associated with the Company’s use of AI, may limit the Company’s ability to fully develop or use AI solutions as intended, and may further cause legal repercussions and brand or reputational harm to the Company.

Current wording

The Company’s use of AI tools in its operations and systems poses inherent risk and could adversely affect the Company’s operations and financial conditions. The Company’s success may increasingly become dependent on its ability to effectively leverage AI to support its operational efficiencies, such as in supply chain and support functions, and its product development and marketing capabilities. The Company may be outpaced by its competitors in their more successful or earlier adoption of AI solutions, which could negatively affect the Company’s commercial competitiveness. Use of AI exposes the Company to risks that such AI solutions may be deficient, produce inaccurate or misleading output, become inoperable or subject the Company to cybersecurity and data privacy breaches, all of which could lead to operational disruptions, flawed decision-making, increased costs, and an inhibited ability to improve product development and marketing through the use of AI, and could impact the Company’s operational effectiveness and financial condition. Additionally, the use of certain AI solutions could put the Company’s own information and intellectual property rights at risk or expose the Company to risk of infringing third parties’ intellectual property or other rights. The global legal, regulatory, and ethical landscape surrounding AI is rapidly evolving and remains uncertain, which creates continued compliance risk and may incur additional operational costs associated with the Company’s use of AI, may limit the Company’s ability to fully develop or use AI solutions as intended, and may further cause legal repercussions and brand or reputational harm to the Company.

Previous wording

The Company cannot guarantee that its security efforts will prevent attacks and resulting breaches or breakdowns of the Company’s, or its third-party service providers’ databases or systems notwithstanding whether the Company takes reasonable steps to prevent such attacks. The Company’s operations, especially its retail operations, involve the storage and transmission of employees’, customers’ and consumers’ personal and sensitive information, such as credit card and bank account numbers. The Company’s payment services may be subject to credit card and other payment fraud schemes, including unauthorized use of credit cards, debit cards or bank account information, identity theft or merchant fraud. If the IT systems, networks or service providers relied upon fail to function properly, or if the Company suffers a loss or disclosure of customers’ and consumers’ data, business or stakeholder information, due to any number of causes, ranging from catastrophic events to power outages to security breaches, or the inability to effectively address these failures on a timely basis, the Company may suffer interruptions in its ability to manage operations, a risk of government enforcement action, litigation and possible liability, and reputational, competitive and/or business harm, which may adversely impact the Company’s results of operations and/or financial condition. In addition, if the Company’s service providers, suppliers or customers experience a breach or unauthorized disclosure or system failure, their businesses could be disrupted or otherwise negatively affected, which may result in a disruption in the Company’s supply chain or reduced customer orders or other business operations, which could adversely affect the Company.

Current wording

The Company cannot guarantee that its security efforts will prevent attacks and resulting breaches or breakdowns of the Company’s, or its third-party service providers’ databases or systems notwithstanding whether the Company takes reasonable steps to prevent such attacks. The Company’s operations, especially its retail operations and employee benefits administration, involve the storage and transmission of employees’, customers’ and consumers’ personal and sensitive information, such as credit card and bank account numbers. The Company’s payment services may be subject to credit card and other payment fraud schemes, including unauthorized use of credit cards, debit cards or bank account information, identity theft or merchant fraud. If the IT systems, networks or service providers relied upon fail to function properly, or if the Company suffers a loss or disclosure of customers’ and consumers’ data, business or stakeholder information, due to any number of causes, ranging from catastrophic events to power outages to security breaches, or the inability to effectively address these failures on a timely basis, the Company may suffer interruptions in its ability to manage operations, a risk of government enforcement action, litigation and possible liability, and reputational, competitive and/or business harm, which may adversely impact the Company’s results of operations and/or financial condition. In addition, if the Company’s service providers, suppliers or customers experience a breach or unauthorized disclosure or system failure, their businesses could be disrupted or otherwise negatively affected, which may result in a disruption in the Company’s supply chain or reduced customer orders or other business operations, which could adversely affect the Company.

Previous wording

The Company may face particular data protection and privacy risks in connection with the European Union’s Global Data Protection Regulation, the California Consumer Privacy Act and other privacy laws and regulations.

Current wording

The Company may face particular data protection and privacy risks in connection with privacy laws and regulations globally.

Previous wording

European Union AI Act, that specifically affect the use of personal information in the context of AI systems. The changes introduced by these laws and regulations increase the complexity of regulations enacted to protect business and personal data, subject the Company to additional costs and have required, and may in the future require, costly changes to the Company’s security systems, policies, procedures and practices. These laws and regulations may grant, among other things, individual rights to access and delete personal information, and the right to opt out of the sale of personal information. These laws and regulations can also impose significant forfeitures and penalties for noncompliance and afford private rights of action to individuals under certain circumstances. Any failure to manage data privacy in compliance with applicable laws and regulations could result in significant regulatory investigations, fines, and sanctions, consumer and class action litigation, commercial litigation, prolonged negative publicity, data breaches, declining customer confidence, loss of key customers, employee liability, and other unfavorable consequences.

Current wording

The Company is subject to laws of various jurisdictions where it operates or does business related to solicitation, collection, processing, transferring, storing or use of consumer, customer, vendor, investor, employee or other stakeholder information and personal data, including but, not limited to, the General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union, the California Consumer Privacy Act, and various other privacy laws and regulations. The Company may be subject to additional regulations, such as the European Union AI Act, that specifically affect the use of personal information in the context of AI systems. The changes introduced by these laws and regulations increase the complexity of regulations enacted to protect business and personal data, subject the Company to additional costs and have required, and may in the future require, costly changes to the Company’s security systems, policies, procedures and practices. These laws and regulations may grant, among other things, individual rights to access and delete personal information and the right to opt out of the sale of personal information, causing the Company to incur costs and operational inefficiencies. These laws and regulations can also impose significant forfeitures and penalties for noncompliance and afford private rights of action to individuals under certain circumstances. Any failure to manage data privacy in compliance with applicable laws and regulations could result in significant regulatory investigations, fines, and sanctions, consumer and class action litigation, commercial litigation, prolonged negative publicity, data breaches, declining customer confidence, loss of key customers, employee liability, and other unfavorable consequences.

Previous wording

The Company’s operating results can be adversely affected by inflation, changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, labor, energy, transportation and other necessary supplies and services, as well as the impact of tariffs.

Current wording

The Company’s operating results can be adversely affected by inflation, changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, labor, energy, transportation and other necessary supplies and services.

Previous wording

Specifically, evolving trade policies could continue to make sourcing products from foreign countries difficult and costly, as the Company sources a significant amount of its products from outside of the U.S. For example, in early 2025, the current U.S. presidential administration announced significant new tariffs on foreign imports into the U.S., specifically from Mexico and Canada, all of which were subsequently postponed prior to becoming effective, and China, and has proposed additional new tariffs that may be implemented in the future. Given the Company’s reliance upon non-domestic suppliers, any significant changes to the U.S. trade policies (and those of other countries in response) or changes without sufficient notice may cause a material adverse effect on its ability to source products from other countries or significantly increase the costs of obtaining such products, which could result in a material adverse effect on our financial results. The extent and duration of increased tariffs and the resulting impact on general economic conditions and on our business are uncertain and depend on various factors, such as negotiations between the U.S. and affected countries, the responses of other countries or regions, exemptions or exclusions that may be granted, availability and cost of alternative sources of supply, and demand for our products in affected markets. Any new or additional tariffs on goods imported to the U.S. from China, Mexico, Canada, or other countries, or products imported into the European Union or other non-U.S. markets, could also increase the cost of some of our products and reduce our margins.

Current wording

Evolving trade policies could continue to make sourcing products from foreign countries more difficult and costly, as the Company sources a significant amount of its products from outside of the U.S. In 2025, the current U.S. presidential administration announced and/or imposed a series of new tariffs on foreign imports into the U.S., including without limitation significant tariffs on products manufactured in China. Tariffs on imports into the U.S., most significantly from China, and retaliatory tariffs on exports from the U.S. to other countries, have increased costs for the Company and could impact the level of trade between the U.S. and its various trading partners around the globe in general. The Company continues to deploy a mitigation strategy designed to offset the impact of this tariff exposure through a number of actions, including pricing, productivity and in some cases relocation of manufacturing. However, the rate or duration of these tariffs and the resulting impact on general economic conditions and on our business are uncertain and depend on various factors, such as negotiations between the U.S. and affected countries, the responses of other countries or regions, exemptions or exclusions that may be granted, availability and cost of alternative sources of supply, and demand for our products in affected markets, and there can be no assurance as to the extent to which the Company will be able to offset the impact through mitigation actions. Given the Company’s reliance upon non-domestic suppliers, new or additional tariffs on goods imported to the U.S. from China, Mexico or other countries, or products imported into the European Union or other non-U.S. markets, or other significant changes to the U.S. trade policies (and those of other countries in response) or changes without sufficient notice may cause a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to source products from other countries or significantly increase the costs of obtaining such products, which could result in a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Previous wording

The Company may not be able to attract, retain and develop key talent.

Current wording

The Company’s ability to attract, retain and develop critical talent, including readiness for emerging technologies such as AI, is essential to executing its strategic objectives and sustaining long-term performance.

Previous wording

Finally, there has been an increased focus from certain investors, customers, consumers, employees, and other stakeholders concerning corporate citizenship and sustainability matters. From time to time, the Company announces certain initiatives regarding its focus areas, which may include environmental matters, human capital, sustainability, packaging, responsible sourcing and social investments. In 2024, the Company published its Corporate Citizenship Report which included updates on many of these focus areas and goals for certain areas. The Company could fail, or be perceived to fail, in its achievement of such initiatives and goals or it could fail in accurately reporting its progress on such initiatives and goals. In addition, the Company could be criticized for the scope of such initiatives or perceived as not acting responsibly in connection with these matters. The Company’s reputation and business could be negatively impacted by such developments or litigation may be filed against the Company resulting in significant expenses or investments to repair such impacts.

Current wording

Finally, there has been an increased focus from certain investors, customers, consumers, employees, and other stakeholders, as well as legislative bodies and regulatory agencies, concerning corporate citizenship and sustainability matters. From time to time, the Company announces certain initiatives regarding its focus areas, some of which may be required in accordance with applicable laws, and which may include environmental matters, human capital, sustainability, packaging, responsible sourcing and social investments. The Company could fail, or be perceived to fail, in its achievement of such initiatives and goals or it could fail in accurately reporting its progress on such initiatives and goals. In addition, the Company could be criticized for the scope of such initiatives or perceived as not acting responsibly in connection with these matters. The Company’s reputation and business could be negatively impacted by such developments or litigation may be filed against the Company resulting in significant expenses or investments to repair such impacts. Damage to the Company’s reputation or a loss of consumer confidence in the Company’s brands could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition as well as require resources to repair the harm.

Previous wording

At December 31, 2024, the Company had approximately 23,700 employees worldwide, a portion of which are covered by collective bargaining agreements or are located in countries that have collective arrangements decreed by statute. The Company periodically negotiates with certain unions and labor representatives and may be subject to work stoppages or may be unable to renew such collective bargaining agreements on the same or similar terms, or at all.

Current wording

At December 31, 2025, the Company had approximately 21,900 employees worldwide, a portion of which are covered by collective bargaining agreements or are located in countries that have collective arrangements decreed by statute. The Company periodically negotiates with certain unions and labor representatives and may be subject to work stoppages or may be unable to renew such collective bargaining agreements on the same or similar terms, or at all.

Previous wording

At December 31, 2024, the Company had $4.6 billion in outstanding debt, reflecting a decrease of approximately $300 million versus December 31, 2023. The Company’s substantial indebtedness has, and could continue to have, important consequences for the Company, including:

Current wording

At December 31, 2025, the Company had $4.67 billion in outstanding debt, reflecting an increase of approximately $100 million versus December 31, 2024. The Company’s substantial indebtedness has, and could continue to have, important consequences for the Company, including:

Previous wording

•limiting its ability to borrow additional funds; and

Current wording

•limiting its ability to borrow additional funds;

Previous wording

In addition, if the Company is unable to timely reduce its level of indebtedness, the Company will be subject to increased demands on its cash resources, which could decrease its collateral coverage ratios, increase its leverage ratios, lower its credit ratings, result in a breach of covenants or otherwise adversely affect the business and financial results of the Company going forward.

Current wording

If the Company is unable to timely reduce its level of indebtedness, the Company will be subject to increased demands on its cash resources, which could decrease its collateral coverage ratios, increase its leverage ratios, lower its credit ratings, result in a breach of covenants or otherwise adversely affect the business and financial results of the Company going forward.

Previous wording

For example, the Company’s credit ratings were downgraded in both 2024 and 2023 by each of Moody’s Corporation and S&P Global Inc. which resulted in a coupon step-up of certain of the Company’s outstanding senior notes. In addition, credit ratings can also affect the terms of debt agreements to include more restrictive covenants which may further restrict our business operations or limit our ability to raise additional capital due to our covenant restrictions then in effect. For example, in November 2024, the Company issued $750 million of aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due 2030 and $500 million of aggregate principal amount of 6.625% senior notes due 2032, and such notes contain covenants that are more restrictive than the senior notes that the Company has historically issued. There is no guarantee that debt or equity financings will be available in the future to fund future acquisitions, developments, or general operating expenses, or that such financing will be available on terms consistent with our historical agreements or expectations. See Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7 and Footnote 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statementsfor further discussion.

Current wording

For example, the Company’s credit ratings were downgraded in both 2025 and 2024 by each of Moody’s Corporation (“Moody’s”) and S&P Global Inc. (“S&P”) which resulted in a coupon step-up of certain of the Company’s outstanding senior notes. In addition, credit ratings can also affect the terms of debt agreements to include more restrictive covenants which may further restrict our business operations or limit our ability to raise additional capital due to our covenant restrictions then in effect. For example, in November 2024, the Company issued $750 million of aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due 2030 and $500 million of aggregate principal amount of 6.625% senior notes due 2032, and in May 2025, the Company completed the offering and sale of $1.25 billion of 8.500% senior notes due 2028 (collectively the “Notes”). These Notes include covenants that limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur or guarantee additional debt, create or permit certain liens, redeem or repurchase certain debt, consummate certain asset sales, make certain loans and investments, consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of the Company and its subsidiaries assets, enter into certain transactions with affiliates and pay distributions on, or redeem or repurchase the Company’s capital stock, subject in each case to certain qualifications and exceptions, including the termination of certain of these covenants upon the Notes receiving investment grade credit ratings. There is no guarantee that debt or equity financings will be available in the future to fund future acquisitions, developments, or general operating expenses, or that such financing will be available on terms consistent with our historical agreements or expectations. See Liquidity and Capital Resourcesin Item 7 and Footnote 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statementsfor further discussion.

Previous wording

The Company is required by the SEC to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting that provides reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of its financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls, or fraud. Effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements.

Current wording

The Company is required by the SEC to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting that provides reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of its financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls, or fraud. Effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements.

Previous wording

During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles of $345 million, $339 million and $474 million, respectively. Future events or factors may occur that could adversely affect the fair value of the Company’s assets and require impairment charges, including, but not limited to, divestitures of certain businesses or product lines, strategic decisions made in response to changes in economic and competitive conditions, the impact of the economic environment on the Company’s sales and customer base, a material adverse change in the Company’s relationship with significant customers or business partners, or a sustained decline in the Company’s stock price. In the event any such impairment indicators become known or are present, the Company may be required to perform impairment tests based on changes in the economic environment and other factors, and these tests could result in impairment charges in the future. As there is minimal difference between the estimated fair values and the carrying values of some of the Company’s intangible assets as a result of recent impairment charges, future impairment charges may occur. See Critical Accounting Estimates in Item 7 and Footnotes 1 and 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statementsfor further discussion.

Current wording

During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles of $340 million, $345 million and $339 million, respectively. Future events or factors may occur that could adversely affect the fair value of the Company’s assets and require impairment charges, including, but not limited to, divestitures of certain businesses or product lines, strategic decisions made in response to changes in economic and competitive conditions, the impact of the economic environment on the Company’s sales and customer base, a material adverse change in the Company’s relationship with significant customers or business partners, or a further sustained decline in the Company’s stock price. In the event any such impairment indicators become known or are present, the Company may be required to perform impairment tests based on changes in the economic environment and other factors, and these tests could result in non-cash impairment charges in the future. As there is minimal difference between the estimated fair values and the carrying values of some of the Company’s intangible assets as a result of recent non-cash impairment charges, future non-cash impairment charges may occur. See Critical Accounting Estimates in Item 7 and Footnotes 1 and 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statementsfor further discussion.

Previous wording

In addition, foreign currency transaction risk arises when the Company and its subsidiaries enter into transactions where the settlement occurs in a currency other than its functional currency. The Company continues to recognize foreign exchange losses related to the currency devaluation in Argentina and its designation as a hyperinflationary economy. Exchange differences (gains and losses) arising on the settlement of monetary items or on translation of monetary items at rates different from those at which they were translated on initial recognition during the period or in previous financial statements are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period in which they arise. Although the Company may employ, at times, a variety of techniques to mitigate the impact of foreign currency transaction risk, including the hedging of forecasted cash inflows and outflows, it cannot guarantee that such risk management strategies will be effective, and its financial condition or results of operations could be adversely impacted. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operationsand Footnote 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Current wording

In addition, foreign currency transaction risk arises when the Company and its subsidiaries enter into transactions where the settlement occurs in a currency other than its functional currency. The Company continues to recognize foreign exchange losses related to the currency devaluation in Argentina and its designation as a hyperinflationary economy. Exchange differences (gains and losses) arising on the settlement of monetary items or on translation of monetary items at rates different from those at which they were translated on initial recognition during the period or in previous financial statements are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period in which they arise. Although the Company may employ, at times, a variety of techniques to mitigate the impact of foreign currency transaction risk, including the hedging of forecasted cash inflows and outflows, it cannot guarantee that such risk management strategies will be effective, and its financial condition or results of operations could be adversely impacted. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditionand Results of Operationsand Footnote 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Previous wording

The Company is subject to various federal, state and foreign laws and regulations. As further described in Footnote 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company is also subject to third party litigation. The potential outcomes of third-party litigation, if insured, could exceed policy limits, resulting in significant costs and expenses. The Company could be responsible for any settlement or judgment over the amount of available insurance coverage or for the entire settlement or judgment, if not insured. The Company is also subject to formal and informal regulatory and governmental examinations, subpoenas, requests for documents, testimony or information, inquiries, investigations, threatened legal actions and proceedings. For example, in 2023, the Company entered into a settlement with the SEC, which concluded an investigation primarily relating to the Company’s sales practices and certain accounting matters between the third quarter of fiscal year 2016 and second quarter of fiscal year 2017. Under the terms of the settlement, the Company neither admitted nor denied the SEC’s findings and agreed to pay a civil penalty of approximately $13 million. Responding to governmental investigations, voluntary document requests, subpoenas or actions by regulatory bodies is time-consuming, expensive and disruptive to the Company’s operations and could divert the attention of management and key personnel from the Company’s business operations.

Current wording

The Company is subject to various federal, state and foreign laws and regulations. As further described in Footnote 17 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company is also subject to third party litigation. The potential outcomes of third-party litigation, if insured, could exceed policy limits, resulting in significant costs and expenses. The Company could be responsible for any settlement or judgment over the amount of available insurance coverage or for the entire settlement or judgment, if not insured. The Company is also subject to formal and informal regulatory and governmental examinations, subpoenas, requests for documents, testimony or information, inquiries, investigations, threatened legal actions and proceedings. For example, in 2023, the Company entered into a settlement with the SEC, which concluded an investigation primarily relating to the Company’s sales practices and certain accounting matters between the third quarter of fiscal year 2016 and second quarter of fiscal year 2017. Under the terms of the settlement, the Company neither admitted nor denied the SEC’s findings and agreed to pay a civil penalty of approximately $13 million. Responding to governmental investigations, voluntary document requests, subpoenas or actions by regulatory bodies is time-consuming, expensive and disruptive to the Company’s operations and could divert the attention of management and key personnel from the Company’s business operations.

Previous wording

Changes in laws, regulations and related interpretations may alter the environment in which the Company does business. This includes changes in environmental, data privacy, competitive and product-related laws, as well as changes in accounting standards, taxation and other regulations. Accordingly, the Company’s ability to manage regulatory, tax and legal matters (including environmental, human resource, product liability, patent and other intellectual property matters), and to resolve pending legal and environmental matters without significant liability could require the Company to record significant reserves in excess of amounts accrued to date or pay significant fines during a reporting period, which could materially impact the Company’s results. In addition, new regulations may be enacted in the U.S. or abroad that may require the Company to incur additional personnel-related, environmental or other costs on an ongoing basis, significantly restrict the Company’s ability to sell certain products, or incur fines or penalties for noncompliance, any of which could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

Current wording

Changes in laws, regulations and related interpretations may alter the environment in which the Company does business. This includes changes in environmental, data privacy, competition and product-related laws, as well as changes in accounting standards, taxation and other regulations. Accordingly, the Company’s ability to manage regulatory, tax and legal matters (including environmental, human resource, product liability, patent and other intellectual property matters), and to resolve pending legal and environmental matters without significant liability could require the Company to record significant reserves in excess of amounts accrued to date or pay significant fines during a reporting period, which could materially impact the Company’s results. In addition, new regulations may be enacted in the U.S. or abroad that may introduce compliance uncertainty and may require the Company to incur additional personnel-related, environmental or other costs on an ongoing basis, significantly restrict the Company’s ability to sell certain products, or incur fines or penalties for noncompliance, any of which could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

Previous wording

As a U.S.-based multinational company, the Company is also subject to tax regulations in the U.S. and multiple foreign jurisdictions, some of which are interdependent. For example, certain income that is earned and taxed in countries outside the U.S. may not be taxed in the U.S. until those earnings are actually repatriated or deemed repatriated. If these or other tax regulations should change, the Company’s financial results could be impacted. Furthermore, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (the “OECD”) introduced a framework implementing a global minimum corporate tax of 15%, referred to as Pillar Two. Much of Pillar Two was enacted in countries outside the U.S. effective as of January 1, 2024, with certain remaining aspects effective beginning January 1, 2025 or later. In January 2025, the U.S. issued an executive order announcing opposition to aspects of these rules. While it is unlikely that the U.S. will enact legislation to adopt Pillar Two, many countries in which we operate have adopted the legislation, and other countries are in the process of introducing legislation to implement Pillar Two. The Company’s current income tax impact of Pillar Two is immaterial, however we will continue to monitor both U.S. and international legislative developments to assess for any potential impacts.

Current wording

As a U.S.-based multi-national company, the Company is also subject to tax regulations in the U.S. and multiple foreign jurisdictions, some of which are interdependent. For example, certain income that is earned and taxed in countries outside the U.S. may not be taxed in the U.S. until those earnings are actually repatriated or deemed repatriated. If these or other tax regulations should change, the Company’s financial results could be impacted. Furthermore, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (the “OECD”) introduced a framework implementing a global minimum corporate tax of 15%, referred to as Pillar Two. Much of Pillar Two was enacted in countries outside the U.S. effective as of January 1, 2024, with certain remaining aspects effective beginning January 1, 2025 or later. In January 2025, the U.S. issued an executive order announcing opposition to aspects of these rules. While it is unlikely that the U.S. will enact legislation to adopt Pillar Two, many countries in which we operate have adopted the legislation, and other countries are in the process of introducing legislation to implement Pillar Two.

Previous wording

The Company is subject to income tax in the U.S. and numerous jurisdictions internationally. Significant estimation and judgment are required in determining the Company’s worldwide provision for income taxes. In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company is regularly under audit by various worldwide tax authorities. Although the Company believes its tax estimates are reasonable, the final outcome of tax audits and related litigation could be materially different than that reflected in its historical income tax provisions and accruals. There can be no assurance that the resolution of any audits or litigation will not have an adverse effect on future operating results. See Footnote 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statementsfor further information.

Current wording

The Company is subject to income tax in the U.S. and numerous jurisdictions internationally. Significant estimation and judgment are required in determining the Company’s worldwide provision for income taxes. In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company is regularly under audit by various worldwide tax authorities. Although the Company believes its tax estimates are reasonable, the final outcome of tax audits and related litigation could be materially different than that reflected in its historical income tax provisions and accruals. There can be no assurance that the resolution of any audits or litigation will not have an adverse effect on future operating results. See Footnote 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statementsfor further information.

Previous wording

In addition to operational standards, environmental laws also impose obligations on various entities to investigate and/or clean up contaminated properties or to pay for the cost of such activities, often upon parties that did not actually cause the contamination. Accordingly, the Company may be liable, either contractually or by operation of law, for investigation and/or remediation costs even if the contaminated property is not presently owned or operated by the Company, is a landfill or other location where it has disposed of wastes, or if the contamination was caused by third parties during or prior to the Company’s ownership or operation of the property. Given the nature of the past industrial operations conducted by the Company and others at these properties, there can be no assurance that all potential instances of soil or groundwater contamination have been identified, even for those properties where an environmental site assessment has been conducted. The Company does not believe that any of the Company’s existing obligations, including at third-party sites where it has been named a potentially responsible party, will have a material adverse effect upon its business, results of operations or financial condition. However, future events, such as changes in existing laws or policies or their enforcement, or the discovery of currently unknown contamination, may give rise to additional remediation liabilities that may be material. See Footnote 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of these and other environmental-related matters.

Current wording

In addition to operational standards, environmental laws also impose obligations on various entities to investigate and/or clean up contaminated properties or to pay for the cost of such activities, often upon parties that did not actually cause the contamination. Accordingly, the Company may be liable, either contractually or by operation of law, for investigation and/or remediation costs even if the contaminated property is not presently owned or operated by the Company, is a landfill or other location where it has disposed of wastes, or if the contamination was caused by third parties during or prior to the Company’s ownership or operation of the property. Given the nature of the past industrial operations conducted by the Company and others at these properties, there can be no assurance that all potential instances of soil or groundwater contamination have been identified, even for those properties where an environmental site assessment has been conducted. The Company does not believe that any of the Company’s existing obligations, including at third-party sites where it has been named a potentially responsible party, will have a material adverse effect upon its business, results of operations or financial condition. However, future events, such as changes in existing laws or policies or their enforcement, or the discovery of currently unknown contamination, may give rise to additional remediation liabilities that may be material. See Footnote 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of these and other environmental-related matters.

Previous wording

As a manufacturer and distributor of consumer products, the Company is subject to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Act of 1972, as amended by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which empowers the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission to exclude from the market products that are found to be unsafe or hazardous, and similar laws under foreign jurisdictions. Under certain circumstances, the Consumer Products Safety Commission or a comparable foreign agency could require the Company to repurchase or recall one or more of its products. Additionally, other laws and agencies, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, regulate certain consumer products sold by the Company in the U.S. and abroad, and more restrictive laws and regulations may be adopted in the future. From time to time, the Company has announced voluntary recalls of its products where it has identified potential product safety concerns. When the Company is required to remove, or voluntarily removes, its products from the market, the Company might have large quantities of finished products that it is unable to sell. The

Current wording

As a manufacturer and distributor of consumer products, the Company is subject to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Act of 1972, as amended by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which empowers the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission to exclude from the market products that are found to be unsafe or hazardous, and similar laws under foreign jurisdictions. Under certain circumstances, the Consumer Products Safety Commission or a comparable foreign agency could require the Company to repurchase or recall one or more of its products. Additionally, other laws and agencies, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, regulate certain consumer products sold by the Company in the U.S. and abroad, and more restrictive laws and regulations may be adopted in the future. From time to time, the Company has announced voluntary recalls of its products where it has identified potential product safety concerns. When the Company is required to remove, or voluntarily removes, its products from the market, the Company might have large quantities of finished products that it is unable to sell. The Company also faces exposure to product liability claims if one of its products is alleged to have resulted in property damage, bodily injury or other adverse effects.

Previous wording

Although the Company maintains product liability insurance in amounts that it believes are reasonable, that insurance is, in most cases, subject to significant self-insured retentions for which the Company is responsible, and the Company cannot assure you that it will be able to maintain such insurance on acceptable terms, if at all, in the future or that product liability claims will not exceed the amount of insurance coverage. The Company does not maintain insurance against many types of claims involving alleged product defects other than personal injury or property damage. Additionally, the Company does not maintain product recall insurance and may not have insurance coverage for claims asserted in consumer class action lawsuits that seek monetary compensation unrelated to personal injury and/or property damage, such as claims related to the marketing or warranty of the product. The Company spends substantial resources ensuring compliance with governmental and other applicable standards. However, compliance with these standards does not necessarily prevent individual or class action lawsuits, which can entail significant cost and risk. As a result, these types of claims could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Current wording

Although the Company maintains product liability insurance in amounts that it believes are reasonable, that insurance is, in most cases, subject to significant self-insured retentions for which the Company is responsible, and the Company cannot assure that it will be able to maintain such insurance on acceptable terms, if at all, in the future or that product liability claims will not exceed the amount of insurance coverage. The Company does not maintain insurance against many types of claims involving alleged product defects other than personal injury or property damage. Additionally, the Company does not maintain product recall insurance and may not have insurance coverage for claims asserted in consumer class action lawsuits that seek monetary compensation unrelated to personal injury and/or property damage, such as claims related to the marketing or warranty of the product. The Company spends substantial resources ensuring compliance with governmental and other applicable standards. However, compliance with these standards does not necessarily prevent individual or class action lawsuits, which can entail significant cost and risk. As a result, these types of claims could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Previous wording

The Company’s product liability insurance program is an occurrence-based program based on its current and historical claims experience and the availability and cost of insurance. The Company currently either self-insures or administers a high retention insurance program for most product liability risks. The Company cannot give assurance that its future product liability experience will be consistent with its past experience or that claims and awards subject to self-insured retention will not be material. See Footnote 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of these and other regulatory and litigation-related matters.

Current wording

The Company’s product liability insurance program is an occurrence-based program based on its current and historical claims experience and the availability and cost of insurance. The Company currently either self-insures or administers a high retention insurance program for most product liability risks. The Company cannot give assurance that its future product liability experience will be consistent with its past experience or that claims and awards subject to self-insured retention will not be material. See Footnote 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of these and other regulatory and litigation-related matters.