Company: CL
Filing Date: 2025-03-26
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001308179-25-000223
Chunk: 48

Company: COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO
Filing Date: 2025-03-26
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 48
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 Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Audit Committee appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) to audit our financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. PwC has served as our independent registered public accounting firm continuously since May 2002. The Audit Committee considered several factors in selecting PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm, including the firm’s independence and internal quality controls, the qualifications and experience of the lead audit partner and overall depth of talent, their experience with our industry (including any potential conflicts arising from representation of our direct competitors) and their capability and expertise in handling the breadth and complexity of our global operations along with the firm’s familiarity with our business, accounting policies and internal control over financial reporting. In determining whether to reappoint PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2025, the Audit Committee again took those factors into consideration along with its evaluation of the past performance of PwC. The Audit Committee determined that the continued retention of PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm is in the Company’s best interests. The Audit Committee periodically considers whether there should be a regular rotation of the independent registered public accounting firm in order to assure continuing auditor independence. Pursuant to the five-year rotation requirement mandated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, PwC’s lead audit partner rotated in 2024. The process for selecting the new lead audit partner involved an assessment of many factors, including the candidates’ independence, objectivity, broad-based business judgment, multinational and industry experience, commitment to serving the Company, ability to leverage the resources of the firm and commitment to continuous improvement and robust dialogue with the Audit Committee. The selection process also involved discussions with management and the Audit Committee regarding each of the candidates and a meeting between the Audit Committee chair and the final candidate for the role. Review and Recommendation Regarding Financial Statements The Audit Committee met seven times in 2024, including to review and discuss each quarterly earnings release prior to its announcement and each of our quarterly and annual financial statements. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the scope of and plans for the internal and external audits with management and the independentregistered public accounting firm together and separately. The Audit Committee also met with management and the independent registered public accounting firm together and separately to review and discuss the audited financial statements, including the critical audit matter