Honeywell 2003 Annual Report Download - page 270

Although it is not possible at this time to predict the outcome of this
litigation, we believe that the allegations in these complaints are without
merit and we expect to prevail. An adverse litigation outcome could, however, be
material to our consolidated financial position or results of operations. As a
result of the uncertainty regarding the outcome of this matter no provision has
been made in our financial statements with respect to this contingent liability.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS - We are subject to various federal, state and local
government requirements relating to the protection of employee health and safety
and the environment. We believe that, as a general matter, our policies,
practices and procedures are properly designed to prevent unreasonable risk of
environmental damage and personal injury to our employees and employees of our
customers and that our handling, manufacture, use and disposal of hazardous or
toxic substances are in accord with environmental laws and regulations. However,
mainly because of past operations and operations of predecessor companies, we,
like other companies engaged in similar businesses, have incurred remedial
response and voluntary cleanup costs for site contamination and are a party to
lawsuits and claims associated with environmental matters, including past
production of products containing toxic substances. Additional lawsuits, claims
and costs involving environmental matters are likely to continue to arise in the
future.
With respect to environmental matters involving site contamination, we
continually conduct studies, individually at our owned sites, and jointly as a
member of industry groups at non-owned sites, to determine the feasibility of
various remedial techniques to address environmental matters. It is our policy
to record appropriate liabilities for environmental matters when environmental
assessments are made or remedial efforts or damage claim payments are probable
and the costs can be reasonably estimated. With respect to site contamination,
the timing of these accruals is generally no later than the completion of
feasibility studies. We expect to fund expenditures for these matters from
operating cash flow. The timing of cash expenditures depends on a number of
factors, including the timing of litigation and settlements of personal injury
and property damage claims, regulatory approval of cleanup projects, remedial
techniques to be utilized and agreements with other parties.
Although we do not currently possess sufficient information to reasonably
estimate the amounts of liabilities to be recorded upon future completion of
studies, litigation or settlements, and neither the timing nor the amount of the
ultimate costs associated with environmental matters can be determined, they
could be material to our consolidated results of operations. However,
considering our past experience and existing reserves, we do not expect that
these matters will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial
position.
In the matter entitled Interfaith Community Organization, et al. v.
Honeywell International Inc., et al., the United States District Court for the
District of New Jersey held in May 2003 that a predecessor Honeywell site
located in Jersey City, New Jersey constituted an imminent and substantial
endangerment and ordered Honeywell to conduct the excavation and transport for
offsite disposal of approximately one million tons of chromium residue present
at the site. Honeywell strongly disagrees with the court's determinations and
has appealed the court's decision to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The
Third Circuit Court of Appeals has referred the case for mediation. In October
2003, the District Court denied Honeywell's motion
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