Legal and Tax Risks
Symrise, as a global company with
significant structural changes in the recent past, is exposed to
various tax assessment risks. There are a number of open tax issues
outstanding that could potentially lead to material additional tax
payment obligations. Where we consider these risks to be probable, we
provide for them. Where we consider the risk to be more remote, we make
no provision.
To a minor extent, the company is also exposed to ordinary legal risks related to environmental matters, former or current employee claims, product liability and intellectual property issues. To counter risks of this nature, we base our actions on careful analysis, supported by the comprehensive legal advice provided by our own lawyers and accredited external specialists. However, the outcome of current or future proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty.
Symrise affiliates are currently involved in very few trials worldwide; thereof only the one hereby included, has material significance. In the USA, plaintiffs have sued all major companies of the flavor industry and have raised the allegation that the defendants have sold products to the employers of the plaintiffs, although they knew or should have known that these products may evaporate toxic fumes in the event that certain safety measures are not respected when the plaintiffs process them. Symrise believes it has good arguments to disprove these allegations and will continue to vigorously defend itself.