Bio-Rad Laboratories (BIO) 10-K 2 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Feb. 17, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	BIO RAD LABORATORIES INC
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Central Index Key	12208
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Public Float		$2,447,599,082
Common Class A [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			23,983,726
Common Class B [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			5,117,908

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$413,251	$331,551
Short-term investments	284,384	277,369
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	377,640	422,660
Inventories:
Raw materials	106,028	105,708
Work in process	131,783	129,894
Finished goods	233,186	280,643
Total inventories	470,997	516,245
Prepaid expenses	108,348	130,637
Other current assets	61,747	79,017
Total current assets	1,716,367	1,757,479
Property, plant and equipment:
Land and improvements	18,165	19,066
Buildings and leasehold improvements	282,792	284,299
Equipment	788,141	756,463
Total property, plant and equipment	1,089,098	1,059,828
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	-660,262	-645,427
Property, plant and equipment, net	428,836	414,401
Goodwill, net	500,441	517,770
Purchased intangibles, net	254,228	266,188
Other investments	389,309	377,870
Other assets	52,097	55,082
Total assets	3,341,278	3,388,790
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Accounts payable	128,608	148,510
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	153,426	130,658
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	265	1,786
Income and other taxes payable	35,165	33,555
Deferred revenue	26,716	26,390
Accrued legal settlements	0	30,000
Other current liabilities	102,581	116,573
Total current liabilities	446,761	487,472
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	435,710	435,615
Deferred income taxes	154,917	162,110
Other long-term liabilities	118,735	116,871
Total liabilities	1,156,123	1,202,068
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	271,346	239,986
Retained earnings	1,694,962	1,606,117
Accumulated other comprehensive income	218,945	340,717
Total stockholders' equity	2,185,155	2,186,722
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,341,278	3,388,790
Common Class A [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	2	2
Common Class B [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	1	1
Treasury Class-A [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Treasury Stock, Value	-12	-12
Treasury Class B [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Treasury Stock, Value	($89)	($89)

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$27,973	$32,471
Preferred stock par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock authorized	7,500,000	7,500,000
Preferred stock issued	0	0
Preferred stock outstanding	0	0
Common Class A [Member]
Common stock par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock authorized	80,000,000	80,000,000
Common stock issued	23,971,808	23,680,749
Common stock outstanding	23,971,686	23,680,627
Common Class B [Member]
Common stock par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock issued	5,098,799	5,096,780
Common stock outstanding	5,097,882	5,095,863
Treasury Class-A [Member]
Treasury Stock, Shares	122	122
Treasury Class B [Member]
Treasury Stock, Shares	917	917

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net sales	$2,175,044	$2,132,694	$2,069,235
Cost of goods sold	996,527	954,216	914,077
Gross profit	1,178,517	1,178,478	1,155,158
Selling, general and administrative expense	808,200	798,070	681,778
Research and development expense	220,333	210,952	209,204
Income from operations	149,984	169,456	264,176
Interest expense	22,131	61,271	51,112
Foreign exchange losses, net	9,305	8,566	5,040
Other (income) expense, net	-13,009	-12,766	-21,883
Income before income taxes	131,557	112,385	229,907
Provision for income taxes	-42,712	-34,574	-64,361
Net income including noncontrolling interests	88,845	77,811	165,546
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	-21	-69
Net income attributable to Bio-Rad	$88,845	$77,790	$165,477
Basic earnings per share:
Net income per share basic attributable to Bio-Rad	$3.08	$2.72	$5.85
Weighted average common shares - basic	28,876	28,586	28,290
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income per share diluted attributable to Bio-Rad	$3.05	$2.69	$5.78
Weighted average common shares - diluted	29,133	28,906	28,642

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash received from customers	$2,162,520	$2,090,030	$2,063,805
Cash paid to suppliers and employees	-1,806,526	-1,804,028	-1,664,491
Interest paid	-20,793	-61,233	-46,369
Income tax payments	-28,939	-71,144	-93,697
Settlement with the SEC and DOJ relating to the FCPA, including interest	-55,050	0	0
Investment proceeds and miscellaneous receipts, net	15,671	16,760	12,991
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	-1,349	-2,720	-2,889
Proceeds from (payments for) forward foreign exchange contracts, net	7,778	1,471	-2,870
Net cash provided by operating activities	273,312	169,136	266,480
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-120,999	-106,658	-142,869
Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment	225	1,214	6,325
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash received, and long-term investments	-44,627	-72,054	-39,443
Payments for purchases of intangible assets	-15,479	-700	-1,780
Payments for purchases of marketable securities and investments	-205,746	-386,714	-680,966
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities and investments	75,725	289,779	131,295
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities and investments	120,390	276,052	327,052
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-190,511	919	-400,386
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net (payments) borrowings on line-of-credit arrangements and notes payable	-1,560	48	-191
Payments on long-term borrowings	-253	-300,228	-620
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	15,051	11,237	10,611
Payments of contingent consideration	-2,374	-25,474	0
Debt issuance costs on long-term borrowings	-524	0	0
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	-101
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	1,349	2,720	2,889
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	11,689	-311,697	12,588
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	-12,790	9,805	10,475
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	81,700	-131,837	-110,843
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	331,551	463,388	574,231
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$413,251	$331,551	$463,388

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total Bio Rad [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$1,747,322
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011								445
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011		3	185,334	0	1,362,850	198,690	1,746,877
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	165,477				165,477		165,477
Net Income	69							69
Net income	165,546
Other comprehensive income, net of tax						75,842	75,842
Other comprehensive income, net of tax								21
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	75,863
Issuance of common stock	10,611		10,611				10,611
Stock compensation expense	12,936		12,936				12,936
Tax benefit-exercise stock options	3,363		3,363				3,363
Purchase of treasury stock	-101			-101			-101	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	2,015,540
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012								535
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012		3	212,244	-101	1,528,327	274,532	2,015,005
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	77,790				77,790		77,790
Net Income	21							21
Net income	77,811
Other comprehensive income, net of tax						66,185	66,185
Other comprehensive income, net of tax								164
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	66,349					66,400	66,200	200
Issuance of common stock	11,237		11,237				11,237
Stock compensation expense	13,657		13,657				13,657
Tax benefit-exercise stock options	3,135		3,135				3,135
Purchase of additional controlling interests and other	-1,007		-287				-287	-720
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	2,186,722
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013								0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	2,186,722	3	239,986	-101	1,606,117	340,717	2,186,722
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	88,845				88,845		88,845
Net Income	0							0
Net income	88,845
Other comprehensive income, net of tax						-121,772	-121,772
Other comprehensive income, net of tax								0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	-121,772					-121,800	-121,800	0
Issuance of common stock	15,051		15,051				15,051
Stock compensation expense	14,888		14,888				14,888
Tax benefit-exercise stock options	1,421		1,421				1,421
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	2,185,155
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014								0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$2,185,155	$3	$271,346	($101)	$1,694,962	$218,945	$2,185,155

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$88,845	$77,811	$165,546
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-118,142	16,662	23,738
Other post-employment benefits adjustments, net of tax	-8,186	36	-8,278
Net unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale investments, net of tax	4,556	49,651	60,403
Comprehensive income	-32,927	144,160	241,409
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	-121,772	66,349	75,863
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	-185	-90
Comprehensive income attributable to Bio-Rad	($32,927)	$143,975	$241,319

1_Significant_Accounting_Polic

1. Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies	1.SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. and all of our wholly and majority owned subsidiaries (referred to in this report as “Bio-Rad,” “we,” “us” and “our”) after elimination of intercompany balances and transactions.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	We evaluate subsequent events and the evidence they provide about conditions existing at the date of the balance sheet as well as conditions that arose after the balance sheet date but through the date the financial statements are issued.  The effects of conditions that existed at the balance sheet date are recognized in the financial statements. Events and conditions arising after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued are evaluated to determine if disclosure is required to keep the financial statements from being misleading.  To the extent such events and conditions exist, disclosures are made regarding the nature of events and the estimated financial effects for those events and conditions.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less which are readily convertible into cash.  Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.
	Available-for-Sale Investments
	Available-for-sale investments consist of corporate obligations, municipal securities, asset backed securities, U.S. government sponsored agencies and marketable equity securities.  Management classifies investments at the time of purchase and reevaluates such classification at each balance sheet date.  Investments with maturities beyond one year may be classified as short-term based on their liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent the investment of cash that is available for current operations.  Available-for-sale investments are reported at fair value based on quoted market prices and other observable market data.  Unrealized gains and losses are reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of any related tax effect.  Unrealized losses are charged against income when a decline in the fair value of an individual security is determined to be other-than-temporary.  We review our available-for-sale investments for other-than-temporary losses on a quarterly basis.  Realized gains and losses and other-than-temporary impairments on investments are included in Other (income) expense, net (see Note 10).
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, investments, foreign exchange contracts and trade accounts receivable.  Cash and cash equivalents and investments are placed with various highly rated major financial institutions located in different geographic regions. Bio-Rad has not sustained significant losses from instruments held at financial institutions.
	The forward contracts used in managing our foreign currency exposures have an element of risk in that the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreements.  We attempt to minimize this risk by limiting the counterparties to a diverse group of highly-rated domestic and international financial institutions.  In the event of non-performance by these counterparties, the carrying values of our financial instruments represent the maximum amount of loss we would have incurred as of our fiscal year-end.  However, we do not expect to record any losses as a result of counterparty default.
	We perform credit evaluation procedures related to our trade receivables and with the exception of certain developing countries, generally do not require collateral.  As a result of increased risk in certain developing countries, some Bio-Rad sales are subject to collateral letters of credit from our customers.  Credit risk for trade accounts receivable is generally limited due to the large number of customers and their dispersion across many geographic areas.  However, a significant amount of trade receivables are with national healthcare systems in countries within the European Union.
	Accounts Receivable
	We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments.  The amount of the allowance is determined by analyzing known uncollectible accounts, aged receivables, economic conditions in the customers’ country or industry, historical losses and our customers’ credit-worthiness.  Amounts later determined and specifically identified to be uncollectible are charged or written off against this allowance.
	Inventory
	Inventories are valued at the lower of actual cost or market (net realizable value) and include material, labor and overhead costs.  The first-in, first-out method is used to relieve inventory for products sold.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Included in property, plant and equipment are buildings and equipment acquired under capital lease arrangements, reagent rental equipment and capitalized software, including costs for software developed or obtained for internal use. Property, plant and equipment are assessed for impairment quarterly or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
	Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Buildings and leasehold improvements are amortized over 15-30 years or the term of the leases or life of the improvements, whichever is shorter.  With the exception of reagent rental equipment, which is amortized over a 1-5 year period, equipment and capitalized software is depreciated over 3-12 years.
	Goodwill
	Goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of acquired businesses.  Goodwill is assessed for impairment by applying fair value based tests annually in the fourth quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We perform impairment tests of goodwill at our reporting unit level, which is one level below our operating segments.  Our reporting units are identified as components for which discrete financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by management.  Goodwill amounts are assigned to reporting units at the time of acquisition.
	The goodwill impairment test consists of a two-step process.  The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We use a projected discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value of a reporting unit.  If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired, and the second step of the impairment test is not required.  The second step, if required, compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.  The fair value of a reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit.  If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
	Long-Lived Assets
	For purposes of recognition and measurement of an impairment loss, a long-lived asset or assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.  We assess the impairment of long-lived assets (including identifiable intangible assets) quarterly or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  Factors that we consider important that could trigger an impairment review include:
	•	significant under-performance relative to expected, historical or projected future operating results;
	•	significant changes in the manner of use of the long-lived assets, intangible assets or the strategy for our overall business;
	•	a current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of at a loss before the end of its previously estimated useful life; and
	•	significant negative industry, legal, regulatory or economic trends.
	When management determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the above indicators of impairment, we test for any impairment based on a projected undiscounted cash flow method.  Projected future operating results and cash flows of the asset or asset group are used to establish the fair value used in evaluating the carrying value of long-lived and intangible assets.  We estimate the future cash flows of the long-lived assets using current and long-term financial forecasts.  The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset.  If this is the case, an impairment loss would be recognized.  The impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value.
	Income Taxes
	We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements.  Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the tax effects of losses, credits, and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. They are determined using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.  The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	We record deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized.  In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. To the extent we determine that we are able to realize our deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we make an adjustment to the valuation allowance which may reduce the provision for income taxes. When we establish or reduce the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets, our provision for income taxes will increase or decrease, respectively, in the period that determination to change the valuation allowance is made.
	We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements on a particular tax position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than a 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement.  The amount of unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted as appropriate for changes in facts and circumstances, such as significant amendments to existing tax law, new regulations or interpretations by the taxing authorities, new information obtained during a tax examination, or resolution of an examination.  We recognize both accrued interest and penalties, where appropriate, related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.
	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue is recognized when pervasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and title has passed to the customer or product has been delivered absent specific contractual specifications.  Revenue associated with equipment that requires factory installation is not recorded until installation is complete and customer acceptance, if required contractually, has occurred.  At the time revenue is recognized, a provision is recognized for estimated product returns. Service revenues on extended warranty contracts are recognized ratably over the life of the service agreement, or as services are performed if not under contract. Net sales are the actual selling price of products to customers. Any taxes billed to the customer (sales tax, value added tax, etc.) shall be credited to the tax liability accounts and excluded from net sales.
	Reagent agreements are a diagnostic industry sales method that provides use of an instrument and consumables (reagents) to a customer on a per test basis.  We evaluate our reagent agreements and account for these contracts under the guidance pertaining to accounting for revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables.  Our reagent agreements represent one unit of accounting as the instrument and consumables are interdependent in producing a diagnostic result that neither has a stand-alone value with respect to these agreements. All revenues that we earn under our reagent agreements are recognized pursuant to the terms of each agreement and are based and entirely contingent upon either (i) when the consumables to conduct a fixed number of tests are delivered or (ii) as reported by the customer on a per test basis.
	Shipping and Handling
	We classify all freight costs billed to customers as Net sales.  Related freight costs are included in Cost of goods sold.
	Warranty
	We warrant certain equipment against defects in design, materials and workmanship, mostly for a period of one year.  Upon delivery of that equipment, we establish, as part of Cost of goods sold, a provision for the expected costs of such warranty based on historical experience, specific warranty terms and customer feedback.  A review is performed on a quarterly basis to assess the adequacy of our warranty accrual.
	Changes in the warranty accrual, included in Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities, were as follows (in millions):
			2014				2013
	1-Jan		$	15.6			$	16.4
	Provision for warranty		28.6				15.6
	Actual warranty costs		(26.4		)		(16.4		)
	31-Dec		$	17.8			$	15.6
	Research and Development
	Internal research and development costs are expensed as incurred.  Third-party research and development costs are expensed when the contracted work has been performed.
	Foreign Currency
	Balance sheet accounts of international subsidiaries are translated at the current exchange rates as of the end of each accounting period.  Income statement items are translated at average exchange rates for the period.  The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.
	Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in Foreign exchange losses, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  Transaction gains and losses result primarily from fluctuations in exchange rates when intercompany receivables and payables are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our subsidiary that recorded the transaction.
	Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts
	As part of distributing our products, we regularly enter into intercompany transactions.  We enter into forward foreign exchange contracts to manage foreign exchange risk of future movements in exchange rates that affect foreign currency denominated intercompany receivables and payables.  We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes, nor do we seek hedge accounting treatment for any of our contracts. As a result, these contracts, generally with maturity dates of 90 days or less and denominated primarily in currencies of industrial countries, are recorded as an asset or liability measured at their fair value at each balance sheet date. The resulting gains or losses offset exchange gains or losses, on the related receivables and payables, all of which are recorded in Foreign exchange losses, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Noncontrolling Interests
	A noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in a consolidated entity that is reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from Bio-Rad’s equity.  In addition, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is reported separately from net income attributable to Bio-Rad in the consolidated financial statements.  Our consolidated statements presented the full amount of assets, liabilities, income and expenses of all of our consolidated subsidiaries, with a partially offsetting amount shown in noncontrolling interests for the portion of assets and liabilities that were not controlled by us.
	In February 2013, we acquired the remaining outstanding shares of Distribuidora de Analitica para Medicina Iberica S.A. (DiaMed Spain) from the remaining noncontrolling shareholder for approximately 0.6 million Euros or $0.9 million in cash. This acquisition was accounted for as an equity transaction, which reduced Bio-Rad's noncontrolling interests and additional paid-in capital by $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively, and therefore since that date there are no noncontrolling interests in Bio-Rad.
	Share-Based Compensation Plans
	Stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted is determined based on the grant-date fair value.  We recognize these compensation costs net of estimated forfeitures over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term of the share-based payment awards.  We estimated the forfeiture rate based on our historical experience.  These plans are described more fully in Note 9.
	Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Bio-Rad by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for that period.  Diluted earnings per share takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as stock options and restricted stock, and uses the average share price for the period in determining the number of potential common shares that are to be added to the weighted average number of shares outstanding.  Potential common shares are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation if the effect would be anti-dilutive.
	Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share (EPS) pursuant to the two-class method.  As our unvested restricted shares qualify as participating securities, we have included these shares in the computation of EPS.
	The weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share and the anti-dilutive shares are as follows (in thousands):
			Year Ended December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		28,876			28,586			28,290
Effect of potentially dilutive stock options
and restricted stock awards		257			320			352
Diluted weighted average common shares		29,133			28,906			28,642
Anti-dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards
excluded from the computation of diluted EPS		122			107			83
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
For certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, marketable securities, notes payable, accounts payable and foreign exchange contracts, the carrying amounts approximate fair value.
The estimated fair value of financial instruments is based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  Estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current market exchange as considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data used to develop estimates of fair value.  The use of different market assumptions or estimation techniques could have a material effect on the estimated fair value (see Note 3).
Correction of Immaterial Errors
Balance Sheet and Statement of Cash Flows
During the third quarter of 2014, we identified errors in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2013, the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (and for all interim periods therein), and in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Cash Flows as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, all related to the recorded amounts of Inventories and Property, plant and equipment, net. During these periods, we inappropriately reduced Inventories by all of the intercompany profit on intercompany transactions related to certain equipment, however, a portion of that profit should have reduced capital additions and been reflected in Property, plant and equipment, net. The equipment is a Bio-Rad product provided to customers under reagent rental agreements, whereby Bio-Rad retains ownership of the equipment and charges the customer for test kits purchased for use with this equipment. Depreciation was calculated correctly, and there is no impact to Net income for any period presented.
The effect of correcting these errors was to increase Total inventories and decrease Property, plant and equipment, net at December 31, 2013 by $15.0 million. As a result of this adjustment, $5.3 million of prepaid income taxes that were included in Prepaid expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013 were reclassified from short-term to long-term Other assets. The overall effect of the adjustments to Total inventories and Prepaid expenses increased Total current assets by $9.6 million. These adjustments did not change Total assets.
The associated reclassification entries within the Statements of Cash Flows were to increase Cash paid to suppliers and employees, and decrease Capital expenditures by $6.3 million and $9.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These reclassifications resulted in a decrease in Net cash provided by operating activities and a decrease in Net cash used in investing activities by $6.3 million and $9.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. There was no change to the net increase or decrease in Cash and cash equivalents for any period presented.
Management evaluated the materiality of the errors described above from a qualitative and quantitative perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 99, Materiality (SAB 99). Based on such evaluation, we have concluded that while these errors were significant to the periods impacted, their correction would not be material to any individual prior period nor did they have an effect on financial results. Accordingly, we are correcting these errors in every affected period in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Recent Accounting Standards Updates
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period and is to be applied retrospectively, with early application not permitted. The new standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

2_Acquisitions

2. Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block]	2.    ACQUISITIONS
	GnuBIO, Inc.
	In April 2014, we acquired 100.0% of the issued and outstanding stock of GnuBIO, Inc. (GnuBIO). This acquisition was accounted for as a business combination as GnuBIO represents an integrated set of activities and assets capable of being conducted and managed for the purpose of providing a return and therefore constitutes a business in accordance with GAAP. The amount of acquisition-related costs was minimal as Bio-Rad primarily represented itself during the acquisition process. This business acquisition is included in our Clinical Diagnostics segment's results of operations from the acquisition date. We believe that GnuBIO's innovative DNA workflow is well-suited for the clinical diagnostics sequencing market and will leverage our leadership role in the area of droplet digital PCR.
	The excess of purchase consideration over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired was recorded as goodwill. The fair values assigned to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on management’s estimates and assumptions. During the fourth quarter of 2014, we finalized the determination of fair values of certain acquired tax attributes and adjusted the preliminary carrying values of goodwill and certain other assets and liabilities in order to reflect final information received and the finalization of certain tax returns, resulting in an overall reduction to goodwill of $1.7 million. These measurement period adjustments had no impact on our results of operations for the year ending December 31, 2014.
	The final fair values of the net assets acquired from GnuBIO as of the acquisition date were determined to be $46.4 million of indefinite-lived intangible assets (specifically in-process research and development or "IPR&D"), $13.5 million of goodwill and $9.5 million of net tangible liabilities. We do not expect the goodwill recorded to be deductible for income tax purposes.
	Accounting guidance requires that the fair value of IPR&D acquired in a business combination be recorded on the balance sheet as of the acquisition date. Intangible assets related to IPR&D projects are considered to be indefinite-lived until completion or abandonment of the related project. During the period the assets are considered indefinite-lived, they will not be amortized but will be tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests if we become aware of any events occurring or changes in circumstances that would indicate a reduction in the fair value of the projects below their respective carrying amounts. We perform our annual impairment tests at December 31. If and when it is determined that identified intangible assets are impaired, an impairment charge would be recorded. If and when development is considered complete, the associated assets would be deemed finite-lived and would then be amortized based on their respective remaining estimated useful lives.
	The fair value of the consideration as of the acquisition date was $50.4 million, which includes $39.7 million paid in cash at the closing date and $10.7 million in contingent consideration potentially payable to GnuBIO's shareholders. The contingent consideration was based on a probability-weighted income approach that could reach $70.0 million upon the achievement of all development/regulatory and sales milestones. The contingent consideration for the development/regulatory milestones was valued at $10.7 million, based on assumptions regarding the probability of achieving the milestones, with such amounts discounted to present value. The contingent consideration for the sales milestones was determined to be negligible, using the risk-neutral probability of being in the money based on a Black-Scholes framework. The contingent consideration was recognized at its estimated fair value of $10.0 million as of December 31, 2014. See Note 3 for further discussion of the contingent consideration valuation and underlying assumptions.
	We do not consider this business combination to be material and therefore have not disclosed the pro forma results of operations as required for material business combinations.
	AbD Serotec
	In January 2013, we acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of AbD Serotec, a division of MorphoSys AG, for total consideration of $62.2 million (net of cash received of $7.3 million). This acquisition was accounted for as a business combination as AbD Serotec represented an integrated set of activities and assets that was capable of being conducted and managed for the purpose of providing a return and therefore constitutes a business in accordance with GAAP. The amount of acquisition-related costs was minimal as Bio-Rad primarily represented itself during the acquisition process. This business acquisition is included in our Life Science segment's results of operations from the acquisition date. We believe that with AbD Serotec's comprehensive catalog of antibodies, we are able to offer our customers total assay solutions that can be validated on many of our research platforms for western blotting, multiplex protein expression, ELISA and cell sorting.
	During the second quarter of 2013, we finalized the determination of fair values of certain acquired intangible assets and adjusted the preliminary carrying values of goodwill and certain other assets and liabilities to include final information received, and an update to the weighted average tax rate applied to our valuation model and changes in the determination of fair values of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed. These factors that existed as of the acquisition date resulted in an overall increase to intangible assets of $1.7 million, a reduction of goodwill of $2.1 million and an increase to net tangible assets of $0.4 million. These measurement period adjustments did not have a material impact on our previously reported condensed consolidated financial statements and, therefore, we have not retrospectively adjusted those financial statements.
	The final fair values of the net assets acquired consist of definite-lived intangible assets of $44.0 million, goodwill of $14.9 million and net tangible assets of $3.3 million. A portion of the goodwill recorded is deductible for income tax purposes.

3_Fair_Value_Measurements

3. Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measures And Disclosures
Fair Value Measurements	3. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	We determine the fair value of an asset or liability based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The identification of market participant assumptions provides a basis for determining what inputs are to be used for pricing each asset or liability.  A fair value hierarchy has been established which gives precedence to fair value measurements calculated using observable inputs over those using unobservable inputs. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows:
	•	Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments
	•	Level 2: Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments)
	•	Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs (including assumptions in determining the fair value of certain investments)
	Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 are classified in the hierarchy as follows (in millions):
		Level 1				Level 2		Level 3				Total
	Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value:
	Cash equivalents (a):
	Commercial paper	$	—			$	4	$	—			$	4
	Foreign time deposits	16.5				—		—				16.5
	Money market funds	2.2				—		—				2.2
	Total cash equivalents	18.7				4		—				22.7
	Available-for-sale investments (b):
	Corporate debt securities	—				139.9		—				139.9
	Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	—				5.2		—				5.2
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	—				47.5		—				47.5
	Foreign government obligations	—				4		—				4
	Municipal obligations	—				6.5		—				6.5
	Marketable equity securities	334.4				—		—				334.4
	Asset-backed securities	—				48.4		—				48.4
	Total available-for-sale investments	334.4				251.5		—				585.9
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (c)	—				0.6		—				0.6
	Total financial assets carried at fair value	$	353.1			$	256.1	$	—			$	609.2
	Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value:
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (d)	$	—			$	1.7	$	—			$	1.7
	Contingent consideration (e)	—				—		27.7				27.7
	Total financial liabilities carried at fair value	$	—			$	1.7	$	27.7			$	29.4
	Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 are classified in the hierarchy as follows (in millions):
		Level 1				Level 2		Level 3				Total
	Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value:
	Cash equivalents (a):
	Commercial paper	$	—			$	7	—				$	7
	Foreign time deposits	11.1				—		—				11.1
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	—				1.2		—				1.2
	Money market funds	1.2				—		—				1.2
	Total cash equivalents	12.3				8.2		—				20.5
	Available-for-sale investments (b):
	Corporate debt securities	—				132.5		—				132.5
	Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	—				8.9		—				8.9
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	—				39.1		—				39.1
	Foreign government obligations	—				5.6		—				5.6
	Municipal obligations	—				11		—				11
	Marketable equity securities	325.2				—		—				325.2
	Asset-backed securities	—				48.6		—				48.6
	Total available-for-sale investments	325.2				245.7		—				570.9
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (c)	—				0.6		—				0.6
	Total financial assets carried at fair value	$	337.5			$	254.5	—				$	592
	Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value:
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (d)	$	—			$	1.1	—				$	1.1
	Contingent consideration (e)	—				—		20.8				20.8
	Total financial liabilities carried at fair value	$	—			$	1.1	$	20.8			$	21.9
	(a)	Cash equivalents are included in Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	(b)	Available-for-sale investments are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):
		December 31,				December 31, 2013
		2014
	Short-term investments	$	284.4			$	277.4
	Other investments	301.5				293.5
	Total	$	585.9			$	570.9
	(c)	Forward foreign exchange contracts in an asset position are included in Other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	(d)	Forward foreign exchange contracts in a liability position are included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	(e)	Contingent consideration liabilities are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):
		December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Other current liabilities	$	13.1			$	6.1
Other long-term liabilities	14.6				14.7
Total	$	27.7			$	20.8
During the third quarter of 2012, we recognized a contingent consideration liability of $44.6 million upon our acquisition of a new cell sorting system from Propel Labs, Inc. The fair value of the contingent consideration was based on a probability-weighted income approach related to the achievement of certain development and sales milestones. The development milestone was achieved and paid in 2013. In the third quarter of 2014, the first sales milestone was reached with cell sorting system purchase orders resulting in a payment of $2.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Effective as of December 31, 2014, we have amended certain key terms impacting the future payment of contingent consideration on the acquisition of the new cell sorting system from Propel Labs, Inc. These include a clarification of the performance period to include an additional four months, and the seller agreeing to support an expansion of our offerings to address the request from customers for customization. The amended sales milestones range from 39% of annual invoices for the 2015 and 2016 annual calendar year performance periods to 40% for the extended September 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014 performance period. The contingent consideration was revalued by a net reduction of $0.7 million in 2014 to Selling, general and administrative expense to its estimated fair value of $17.7 million as of December 31, 2014.
During the second quarter of 2014, we recognized a contingent consideration liability upon our acquisition of GnuBIO. At the acquisition date, the contingent consideration was based on a probability-weighted income approach that could reach $70.0 million upon the achievement of all development/regulatory and sales milestones. The contingent consideration for the development/regulatory milestones was valued at $10.7 million at the acquisition date based on assumptions regarding the probability of achieving the milestones, with such amounts discounted to present value. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the contingent consideration related to the development/regulatory milestones was revalued to a fair value of $10.0 million as of December 31, 2014. The contingent consideration for the sales milestones at the acquisition date and at December 31, 2014 was determined to be negligible, using the risk-neutral probability of being in the money based on a Black-Scholes framework.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the Level 3 contingent consideration liabilities measured at estimated fair value based on original valuations and updated quarterly for the year ended December 31, 2014 (in millions):
	2014
1-Jan	$	20.8
Cell sorting system:
Payment of sales milestone	(2.4		)
Net decrease in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in Selling, general and administrative expense	(0.7		)
GnuBIO:
Acquisition of GnuBIO	10.7
Net decrease in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in Selling, general and administrative expense	(0.7		)
31-Dec	$	27.7
The following table provides quantitative information about Level 3 inputs for fair value measurement of our contingent consideration liabilities as of December 31, 2014. Significant increases or decreases in these inputs in isolation could result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.
			Range
	Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	From	To
Cell sorting system	Probability-weighted income approach	Sales milestone:
		Credit adjusted discount rates	0.62%	1.22%
		Projected volatility of growth rates	10.00%	N/A
		Market price of risk	1.75%	N/A
GnuBIO	Probability-weighted income approach	Development/regulatory milestones:
		Milestones probability	50.00%	75.00%
		Discount rate	0.34%	0.48%
		Sales milestones:
		Milestones probability	—%	N/A
		Discount rate	0.92%	2.04%
To estimate the fair value of Level 2 debt securities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, our primary pricing provider uses S&P Capital IQ as the primary pricing source. Our pricing process allows us to select a hierarchy of pricing sources for securities held. The chosen pricing hierarchy for our Level 2 securities, other than certificates of deposit and commercial paper, is S&P Capital IQ as the primary pricing source and then our custodian as the secondary pricing source. If S&P Capital IQ does not price a Level 2 security that we hold, then the pricing provider will utilize our custodian supplied pricing.
For commercial paper as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, pricing is determined by a straight-line calculation, starting with the purchase price on the date of purchase and increasing to par at maturity. Interest bearing certificates of deposit and commercial paper are priced at par.
In addition to the above, our primary pricing provider performed daily reasonableness testing of S&P Capital IQ prices to custodian reported prices. Prices outside a tolerable variance of approximately 1% are investigated and resolved.
Available-for-sale investments consist of the following (in millions):
	December 31, 2014
	Amortized				Unrealized		Unrealized				Estimated
	Cost				Gains		Losses				Fair
											Value
Short-term investments:
Corporate debt securities	$	139.7			$	0.4	$	(0.2	)		$	139.9
Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	5.2				—		—				5.2
Municipal obligations	6.5				—		—				6.5
Asset-backed securities	48.2				—		(0.2		)		48
U.S. government sponsored agencies	47.4				0.1		—				47.5
Foreign government obligations	4				—		—				4
Marketable equity securities	29				4.5		(0.2		)		33.3
	280				5		(0.6		)		284.4
Long-term investments:
Marketable equity securities	54.5				246.6		—				301.1
Asset-backed securities	0.4				—		—				0.4
	54.9				246.6		—				301.5
Total	$	334.9			$	251.6	$	(0.6	)		$	585.9
	December 31, 2013
	Amortized				Unrealized		Unrealized				Estimated
	Cost				Gains		Losses				Fair
											Value
Short-term investments:
Corporate debt securities	$	132.6			$	0.3	$	(0.4	)		$	132.5
Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	8.9				—		—				8.9
Municipal obligations	11.1				—		(0.1		)		11
Asset-backed securities	48.4				0.1		(0.2		)		48.3
U.S. government sponsored agencies	39.1				0.1		(0.1		)		39.1
Foreign government obligations	5.6				—		—				5.6
Marketable equity securities	26.6				5.4		—				32
	272.3				5.9		(0.8		)		277.4
Long-term investments:
Marketable equity securities	54.5				238.7		—				293.2
Asset-backed securities	0.4				—		(0.1		)		0.3
	54.9				238.7		(0.1		)		293.5
Total	$	327.2			$	244.6	$	(0.9	)		$	570.9
The following is a summary of investments with gross unrealized losses and the associated fair value (in millions):
	December 31,				December 31, 2013
	2014
Fair value of investments in a loss position 12 months or more	$	8.4			$	2.3
Fair value of investments in a loss position less than 12 months	$	90.7			$	73.9
Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position 12 months or more	$	0.2			$	0.1
Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position less than 12 months	$	0.4			$	0.8
The unrealized losses on these securities are due to a number of factors, including changes in interest rates, changes in economic conditions and changes in market outlook for various industries, among others.  Because Bio-Rad has the ability and intent to hold these investments with unrealized losses until a recovery of fair value, or for a reasonable period of time sufficient for a forecasted recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, we do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2014 or at December 31, 2013.
As part of distributing our products, we regularly enter into intercompany transactions.  We enter into forward foreign exchange contracts to manage foreign exchange risk of future movements in foreign exchange rates that affect foreign currency denominated intercompany receivables and payables.  We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.  We do not seek hedge accounting treatment for these contracts.  As a result, these contracts, generally with maturity dates of 90 days or less and denominated primarily in currencies of industrial countries, are recorded at their fair value at each balance sheet date.  The notional principal amounts provide one measure of the transaction volume outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and do not represent the amount of Bio-Rad's exposure to loss. The estimated fair value of these contracts was derived using the spot rates from Reuters on the last business day of the quarter and the points provided by counterparties.  The resulting gains or losses offset exchange gains or losses on the related receivables and payables, both of which are included in Foreign exchange losses, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The following is a summary of our forward foreign currency exchange contracts (in millions):
	December 31,
	2014
Contracts maturing in January through March 2015 to sell foreign currency:
Notional value	$	81.1
Unrealized loss	$	1
Contracts maturing in January through March 2015 to purchase foreign currency:
Notional value	$	285.8
Unrealized loss	$	0.2
The following is a summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of our debt securities at December 31, 2014 by contractual maturity date (in millions):
	Amortized				Estimated Fair
	Cost				Value
Mature in less than one year	$	110.7			$	110.7
Mature in one to five years	99.9				99.9
Mature in more than five years	40.8				40.9
Total	$	251.4			$	251.5
The estimated fair value of financial instruments that are not recognized at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are included in Other investments, are presented in the table below. Fair value has been determined using significant observable inputs, including quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments.  Estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current market exchange as considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data used to develop estimates of fair value.  The use of different market assumptions or estimation techniques could have a material effect on the estimated fair value.  Other investments include financial instruments, the majority of which has fair value based on similar, actively traded stock adjusted for various discounts, including a discount for marketability.  Long-term debt, excluding leases and current maturities, has an estimated fair value based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues.
The estimated fair value of the financial instruments discussed above and the level of the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is categorized are as follows (in millions):
	December 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
	Carrying				Estimated		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Carrying				Estimated		Fair Value Hierarchy Level
	Amount				Fair				Amount				Fair
					Value								Value
Other investments	$	82.6			$	401.1	2		$	77.5			$	382.9	2
Total long-term debt, excluding leases	$	423.5			$	454.9	2		$	423.2			$	433	2
and current maturities
We own shares of ordinary voting stock of Sartorius AG (Sartorius), of Goettingen, Germany, a process technology supplier to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical and food and beverage industries.  We own over 35% of the outstanding voting shares (excluding treasury shares) of Sartorius as of December 31, 2014.  The Sartorius family trust and Sartorius family members hold a controlling interest of the outstanding voting shares. We do not have any representative or designee on Sartorius’ board of directors, nor do we have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of Sartorius. We account for this investment using the cost method.  The carrying value of this investment is included in Other investments in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As the stock is thinly traded and in conjunction with the valuation method discussed above, we have classified the estimated fair value as Level 2. The Level 2 classification is appropriate given the valuation method employed, which incorporates an observable input of the fair value of the Sartorius’ actively traded preferred stock.

4_Intangible_Assets_Goodwill_a

4. Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure	4.    GOODWILL AND OTHER PURCHASED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Changes to goodwill by segment were as follows (in millions):
			2014										2013
			Life			Clinical				Total			Life			Clinical			Total
			Science			Diagnostics							Science			Diagnostics
	Balances as of January 1:
	Goodwill		$	209		$	337			$	546		$	193.6		$	330		$	523.6
	Accumulated impairment losses and write-offs		(27.2		)	(1.0		)		(28.2		)	(27.2		)	(1.0		)	(28.2		)
	Goodwill, net		181.8			336				517.8			166.4			329			495.4
	Acquisitions		—			13.5				13.5			14.9			—			14.9
	Currency fluctuations		(1.3		)	(29.6		)		(30.9		)	0.5			7			7.5
	Balances as of December 31:
	Goodwill		207.7			320.9				528.6			209			337			546
	Accumulated impairment losses and write-offs		(27.2		)	(1.0		)		(28.2		)	(27.2		)	(1.0		)	(28.2		)
	Goodwill, net		$	180.5		$	319.9			$	500.4		$	181.8		$	336		$	517.8
	In conjunction with the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding stock of GnuBIO, Inc. in our Clinical Diagnostics segment in April 2014, we recorded $13.5 million of goodwill and $46.4 million of in-process research and development, an indefinite-lived intangible asset.
	In conjunction with the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of AbD Serotec in our Life Science segment in January 2013, we recorded $14.9 million of goodwill and $44.0 million of definite-lived intangible assets: $33.0 million of developed product technology, $8.8 million of licenses, $1.3 million of customer relationships/lists, $0.4 million of tradenames and $0.5 million of other purchased intangibles. The weighted average useful lives of the definite-lived intangible assets as of the acquisition date were 13.9, 13, 12, 2 and 1 years, respectively, with a total weighted average useful life of 13.7 years.
	Information regarding our identifiable purchased intangible assets with definite and indefinite lives is as follows (in millions):
		December 31, 2014
		Average		Purchase			Accumulated				Net
		Remaining		Price			Amortization				Carrying
		Life (years)									Amount
	Customer relationships/lists	10-Mar		$	89.4		$	(43.0	)		$	46.4
	Know how	11-Jan		184.7			(102.5		)		82.2
	Developed product technology	12-May		103.9			(42.8		)		61.1
	Licenses	11-Jan		39.4			(26.5		)		12.9
	Tradenames	10-Jan		3.6			(2.1		)		1.5
	Covenants not to compete	8-Mar		4.9			(1.2		)		3.7
	Total definite-lived intangible assets			425.9			(218.1		)		207.8
	In-process research and development			46.4			—				46.4
	Total purchased intangible assets			$	472.3		$	(218.1	)		$	254.2
		December 31, 2013
		Average		Purchase			Accumulated				Net
		Remaining		Price			Amortization				Carrying
		Life (years)									Amount
	Customer relationships/lists	11-Jan		$	99.8		$	(41.1	)		$	58.7
	Know how	12-Feb		194.6			(89.3		)		105.3
	Developed product technology	13-Jan		109.5			(36.2		)		73.3
	Licenses	12-Jan		44.9			(22.4		)		22.5
	Tradenames	9-Jan		4.3			(2.1		)		2.2
	Covenants not to compete	9-May		4.9			(0.7		)		4.2
	Other	—		0.6			(0.6		)		—
				$	458.6		$	(192.4	)		$	266.2
	No material impairment losses related to purchased intangible assets were recorded in 2013. In 2014, we impaired licenses of a discontinued product line in the amount of $6.4 million. The impairment charge included $5.8 million in Cost of goods sold and $0.6 million in Research and development expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Amortization expense related to purchased intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $47.8 million, $45.0 million and $42.8 million, respectively.  Estimated future amortization expense (based on existing purchased intangible assets, not including IPR&D) for the years ending December 31, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and thereafter is $38.4 million, $35.5 million, $26.9 million, $23.5 million, $20.5 million, and $74.4 million, respectively.

5_Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_D

5. Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Notes Payable and Long-term Debt	5.NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT
	Notes payable includes amounts borrowed against credit lines maintained locally by our international subsidiaries, under which the borrowing capacity was approximately $40.9 million, of which $38.3 million was available for borrowing at December 31, 2014.  At December 31, 2013, borrowing capacity aggregated approximately $20.1 million, of which $15.8 million was available for borrowing.  The weighted average interest rate on these lines was 1.4% and 3.0% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Bio-Rad guaranteed 23 of these credit lines at December 31, 2014 and eight at December 31, 2013.
	The principal components of long-term debt are as follows (in millions):
		December 31,			December 31, 2013
		2014
	4.875% Senior Notes due 2020, net of discount	423.5			423.2
	Capital leases and other debt	12.5			12.6
		436			435.8
	Less current maturities	(0.3		)	(0.2		)
	Long-term debt	$	435.7		$	435.6
	Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016
	In May 2009, Bio-Rad sold $300.0 million principal amount of Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 (8.0% Notes). The sale yielded net cash proceeds of $294.8 million. In September 2013, we redeemed all of the 8.0% Notes for $312.0 million, including a call premium of $12.0 million, and expensed the remaining original issuance bond discount of $2.5 million and unamortized bond issuance costs of $1.1 million. The total expense for the redemption was $15.6 million and is included in Interest expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Senior Notes due 2020
	In December 2010, Bio-Rad sold $425.0 million principal amount of Senior Notes due 2020 (4.875% Notes).  The sale yielded net cash proceeds of $422.6 million at an effective rate of 4.946%.  The 4.875% Notes pay a fixed rate of interest of 4.875% per year.  We have the option to redeem any or all of the 4.875% Notes at any time at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount (plus a specified make-whole premium as defined in the indenture governing the 4.875% Notes) and accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date.  Our obligations under the 4.875% Notes are not secured and rank equal in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness.  Certain covenants apply at each year end to the 4.875% Notes including limitations on the following: liens, sale and leaseback transactions, mergers, consolidations or sales of assets and other covenants. We were in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2014. There are no restrictive covenants relating to total indebtedness, interest coverage, stock repurchases, recapitalizations, dividends and distributions to shareholders or current ratios.
	Credit Agreement
	In June 2014, Bio-Rad entered into a $200.0 million unsecured Credit Agreement, replacing the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement of June 2010, which expired on June 21, 2014. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are on a revolving basis and can be used to make permitted acquisitions, for working capital and for other general corporate purposes. We had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2014 or 2013, however $5.0 million was utilized for domestic standby letters of credit that reduced our borrowing availability. The Credit Agreement matures in June 2019. If we had borrowed against our Credit Agreement, the borrowing rate would have been 1.5% at December 31, 2014.
	The Credit Agreement requires Bio-Rad to comply with certain financial ratios and covenants, among other things. These ratios and covenants include a leverage ratio test and an interest coverage test, as well as restrictions on our ability to declare or pay dividends, incur debt, guarantee debt, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate, sell assets, make investments and create liens.  We were in compliance with all of these ratios and covenants as of December 31, 2014.
	Maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2014 are as follows: 2015 - $0.3 million; 2016 - $0.3 million; 2017 - $0.3 million; 2018 - $0.3 million; 2019 - $0.2 million; thereafter - $436.2 million.

6_Income_Taxes

6. Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes [Text Block]	6. INCOME TAXES
	The U.S. and international components of income before taxes are as follows (in millions):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	U.S.	$	30.6			$	5.7			$	110.6
	International	101				106.7				119.3
	Income before taxes	$	131.6			$	112.4			$	229.9
	The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in millions):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Current tax expense (benefit):
	U.S. Federal	$	9.6			$	(5.0	)		$	34.4
	State	3.8				0.6				4.1
	International	35.6				38.3				37.3
	Current tax expense	49				33.9				75.8
	Deferred tax (benefit) expense:
	U.S. Federal	1.5				4.8				(3.1		)
	State	(0.2		)		(0.1		)		(0.9		)
	International	(7.3		)		(9.4		)		(6.3		)
	Deferred tax benefit	(6.0		)		(4.7		)		(10.3		)
	Non-current tax expense (benefit)	(0.3		)		5.4				(1.1		)
	Provision for income taxes	$	42.7			$	34.6			$	64.4
	The reconciliation between our effective tax rate on income before taxes and the statutory tax rate is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. statutory tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	Impact of foreign operations	(4	)		(6	)		(3	)
	Research tax credits	(3	)		(6	)		—
	Nontaxable subsidies	(2	)		(2	)		(1	)
	Tax settlements and changes to unrecognized tax benefits	(1	)		5			—
	Fines and penalties	3			1			—
	Contingent consideration	—			(1	)		(2	)
	Other	4			5			(1	)
	Provision for income taxes	32	%		31	%		28	%
	The effective tax rates for 2014 and 2013 are approximately the same. The effective tax rate for 2014 includes a lower tax benefit of research tax credits because the effective tax rate for 2013 included a significant tax benefit related to the 2012 U.S. federal research credit, which was retroactively reinstated on January 2, 2013. The additional tax benefit of research credits in 2013 was offset by an increase in tax liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits and audit settlements in our foreign jurisdictions.
	The effective tax rates for all three periods were lower than the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to tax benefits from differences between U.S. and foreign statutory tax rates, and research and development tax credits. Our foreign income is earned primarily in Switzerland and France. Jurisdictions in which we operate that have statutory tax rates that are significantly lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35% include Switzerland, Russia, the U.K. and Singapore.
	Our effective tax rate may be impacted in the future, either favorably or unfavorably, by many factors including, but not limited to, changes to statutory tax rates, changes in tax laws or regulations, tax audits and settlements, and generation of tax credits.
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the tax effects of losses, credits, and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.  Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in millions):
		December 31,
		2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Bad debt, inventory and warranty accruals	$	25.3			$	27.5
	Legal reserves	2				12
	Other post-employment benefits, vacation and other reserves	23.6				22.2
	Tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards	60.5				62.3
	Other	28.4				19
	Total gross deferred tax assets	139.8				143
	Valuation allowance	(58.6		)		(64.0		)
	Total deferred tax assets	81.2				79
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment	12.9				17.2
	Investments and intangible assets	158.2				147
	Total deferred tax liabilities	171.1				164.2
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(89.9	)		$	(85.2	)
	At December 31, 2014, Bio-Rad’s international subsidiaries had combined net operating loss carryforwards of $106.8 million.  Of these loss carryforwards, $105.6 million have no expiration date.  We believe that it is more likely than not that the benefit from most of these net operating loss carryforwards will not be realized. We have provided a valuation allowance of $23.6 million relating to these net operating loss carryforwards.
	At December 31, 2014, Bio-Rad had U.S. Federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $10 million as a result of acquisitions. These carryforwards are subject to limitation on their utilization and will expire between 2018 and 2034. At December 31, 2014, Bio-Rad had U.S. Federal research tax credit carryforwards of $5.3 million, $1.9 million of which are subject to limitations on their utilization.
	At December 31, 2014, Bio-Rad had approximately $53 million of California net operating loss carryforwards related to the acquisition of QuantaLife. We believe that it is more likely than not that the benefit from these net operating loss carryforwards will not be realized and have recorded a full valuation allowance against these losses. At December 31, 2014, Bio-Rad had a deferred tax asset of $20.2 million relating to California research tax credit carryforwards, including $2.0 million from the acquisition of QuantaLife, which may be carried forward indefinitely.  Based on our judgment and consistent with prior years, we have recorded a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset.
	We believe that it is more likely than not that certain of these deferred tax assets described above will not be realized in the foreseeable future. If or when recognized, the tax benefits relating to any reversal of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets at December 31, 2014 will be recognized as a reduction of income tax expense.
	The tax years subject to examination by tax authorities in major jurisdictions that Bio-Rad operates in include the years 2009 and forward for the U.S., and the years 2008 and forward for certain foreign jurisdictions, including France, Switzerland and Germany.
	The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits (in millions):
		2014				2013				2012
	Unrecognized tax benefits – January 1	$	16.2			$	12.6			$	11.3
	Additions to tax positions related to prior years	1.7				4.7				1.3
	Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	(1.5		)		(0.8		)		(0.8		)
Additions to tax positions related to the current year	1.6				2				1.6
Settlements	(0.4		)		(0.3		)		—
Lapse of statute of limitations	(2.6		)		(1.7		)		(3.0		)
Acquisitions	—				—				2.2
Currency translation	(0.8		)		(0.3		)		—
Unrecognized tax benefits – December 31	$	14.2			$	16.2			$	12.6
Substantially all our unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 would affect the effective tax rate if recognized.
Bio-Rad recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Related to the unrecognized tax benefits noted above, Bio-Rad has accrued interest of $3.8 million, $3.4 million and $1.9 million as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
At December 31, 2014, we believe that it is reasonably possible that $6.8 million of our unrecognized tax benefits may be recognized by the end of 2015 as a result of statute lapses.  These benefits are related to uncertainty regarding sustainability of certain deductions and credits for tax years that remain subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities.
In general, it is our practice and intention to reinvest the earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries in their operations. As of December 31, 2014, Bio-Rad had not made a provision for U.S. or additional foreign withholding taxes on approximately $512 million of the excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis of investments in foreign subsidiaries that are essentially permanent in duration.  Generally, such amounts become subject to U.S. taxation upon remittance of dividends and under certain other circumstances.  If these earnings were repatriated to the U.S., the deferred tax liability associated with these temporary differences would be approximately $106 million.

7_Stockholders_Equity

7. Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	7.    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Bio-Rad’s issued and outstanding stock consists of Class A Common Stock (Class A) and Class B Common Stock (Class B).  Each share of Class A and Class B participates equally in the earnings of Bio-Rad, and is identical in all respects except as follows. Class A has limited voting rights.  Each share of Class A is entitled to one tenth of a vote on most matters, and each share of Class B is entitled to one vote.  Additionally, Class A stockholders are entitled to elect 25% of the Board of Directors and Class B stockholders are entitled to elect 75% of the directors. Cash dividends may be paid on Class A shares without paying a cash dividend on Class B shares but no cash dividend may be paid on Class B shares unless at least an equal cash dividend is paid on Class A shares.  Class B shares are convertible at any time into Class A shares on a one-for-one basis at the option of the stockholder.  The founders of Bio-Rad, the Schwartz family, collectively hold a majority of Bio-Rad’s voting stock.  As a result, the Schwartz family is able to exercise significant influence over Bio-Rad.
	Changes to Bio-Rad's issued common stock shares are as follows (in thousands):
		Class A Shares	Class B Shares
	Balance at January 1, 2012	23,020	5,165
	B to A conversions	59	(59	)
	Issuance of common stock	253	44
	Balance at December 31, 2012	23,333	5,150
	B to A conversions	80	(80	)
	Issuance of common stock	269	27
	Balance at December 31, 2013	23,681	5,097
	B to A conversions	5	(5	)
	Issuance of common stock	286	7
	Balance at December 31, 2014	23,972	5,099
	Treasury Shares
	The Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $18.0 million of Bio-Rad's common stock, of which $3.3 million has yet to be repurchased in the open market as of December 31, 2014. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (Credit Agreement) limits our ability to repurchase our stock. In accordance with the terms of awards under the 2007 Incentive Award Plan, in June 2012, we withheld 122 shares of our Class A common stock and 917 shares of our Class B common stock to satisfy the minimum statutory tax obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock of certain of our employees, which is considered a repurchase of our stock. All of the restricted stock vested as of December 31, 2013, and therefore we do not anticipate any repurchasing of shares for this purpose. We had no other repurchases of our stock during 2014 or 2013.

8_Accumulated_Other_Comprehens

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
accumulated other comprehensive income [Text Block]	8.    ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	Accumulated other comprehensive income included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity consists of the following components (in millions):
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Foreign other post-employment benefits adjustments			Net unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale investments			Bio-Rad Accumulated other comprehensive income			Non-controlling interests			Total Accumulated other comprehensive income
	Balances as of January 1, 2013	$	172.9		$	(8.1	)	$	109.7		$	274.5		$	(0.2	)	$	274.3
	Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	16.7			(0.7		)	78.3			94.3			—			94.3
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	(0.2		)	0.7			0.3			0.8			0.2			1
	Income Tax Effects	—			—			(28.9		)	(28.9		)	—			(28.9		)
	Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	16.5			—			49.7			66.2			0.2			66.4
	Balances as of December 31, 2013	$	189.4		$	(8.1	)	$	159.4		$	340.7		$	—		$	340.7
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications	(117.0		)	(11.4		)	7.3			(121.1		)	—			(121.1		)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	(1.2		)	0.7			—			(0.5		)	—			(0.5		)
	Income Tax Effects	—			2.5			(2.7		)	(0.2		)	—			(0.2		)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes	(118.2		)	(8.2		)	4.6			(121.8		)	—			(121.8		)
	Balances as of December 31, 2014	$	71.2		$	(16.3	)	$	164		$	218.9		$	—		$	218.9
	The amounts reclassified out of Accumulated other comprehensive income into the Consolidated Statements of Income, with presentation location, were as follows:
	Income before taxes impact (in millions):
			December 31,
	Components of Comprehensive income		2014			2013				Location
	Liquidation of entity		$	1.2		$	0.2			Cost of goods sold
	Amortization of foreign other post-employment benefit items		$	(0.7	)	$	(0.7	)		Selling, general and administrative expense
	Net holding losses on available for sale investments		$	—		$	(0.3	)		Other (income) expense, net
	Reclassification adjustments are calculated using the specific identification method.

9_Sharebased_Compensation

9. Share-based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments	9. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION/STOCK OPTION AND PURCHASE PLANS
	Description of Share-Based Compensation Plans
	Stock Option and Award Plans
	We have three stock option plans for officers and certain other employees: the 1994 Stock Option Plan (1994 Plan); the 2003 Stock Option Plan (2003 Plan); and the 2007 Incentive Award Plan (2007 Plan).  The 1994 Plan and 2003 Plan authorized the grant of incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options to employees. The 2007 Plan authorizes the grant of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and other types of equity awards to employees.  We no longer grant stock option grants under the 1994 Plan or 2003 Plan. Since 2007, all share-based compensation grants have been from the 2007 Plan. A total of 2,250,360 shares have been reserved for issuance of equity awards under the 2007 Plan and may be of either Class A or Class B common stock as specified within the plan.  At December 31, 2014, there were 957,053 shares available to be granted in the future.
	Under the above plans, Class A and Class B options are granted at prices not less than fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.  Generally, options granted have a term of 10 years and vest in increments of 20% per year over a five-year period on the yearly anniversary date of the grant.  Stock awards issued under the 2007 Plan generally vest in increments of 20% per year over a five-year period on the yearly anniversary date of the grant.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plans
	Our 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (2011 ESPP) provides that eligible employees may contribute up to 10% of their compensation up to $25,000 annually toward the quarterly purchase of our Class A common stock.  The employees’ purchase price is 85% of the lesser of the fair market value of the stock on the first business day or the last business day of each calendar quarter.
	The 2011 ESPP includes two components: a Code Section 423 Component that we intend to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and a Non-423 Component, which authorizes the grant of purchase rights that does not qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code. We have authorized the sale of 600,000 shares of Class A common stock under the 2011 ESPP.
	Share-Based Compensation Expense
	Included in our share-based compensation expense is the cost related to stock option grants, ESPP stock purchases, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards.  Share-based compensation expense is allocated to Cost of goods sold, Research and development expense, and Selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	For 2014, 2013 and 2012, we recognized share-based compensation expense of $14.9 million, $13.7 million and $13.2 million, respectively.  We did not capitalize any share-based compensation expense in inventory.
	For options and awards, we amortize the fair value on a straight-line basis.  All stock compensation awards are amortized over the requisite service periods of the awards, which are generally the vesting periods.
	Stock Options
	The following table summarizes stock option activity:
			Shares			Weighted-				Weighted-		Aggregate
						Average				Average		Intrinsic
						Exercise Price				Remaining		Value
										Contractual		(in millions)
										Term (in years)
	Outstanding, January 1, 2012		888,750			$	63.5
	Granted		55,250			$	107.32
	Exercised		(181,707	)		$	44.66
	Forfeited/expired		(15,000	)		$	87.78
	Outstanding, December 31, 2012		747,293			$	70.83
	Granted		55,050			$	117.67
	Exercised		(159,450	)		$	54.16
	Forfeited/expired		(13,250	)		$	91.32
	Outstanding, December 31, 2013		629,643			$	78.72
	Granted		54,000			$	119.71
	Exercised		(91,387	)		$	63.66
	Forfeited/expired		(10,450	)		$	100.29
	Outstanding, December 31, 2014		581,806			$	84.5			4.4		$	21
	Vested and expected to vest,
	December 31, 2014		565,246			$	83.61			4.28		$	20.9
	Exercisable, December 31, 2014		428,726			$	74.62			2.96		$	19.7
	Intrinsic value for stock options is defined as the difference between the current market value and the grant price. The total intrinsic value on the date of exercise of stock options exercised during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $5 million, $11 million and $11 million, respectively. The total grant date fair value of options vested during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $2.1 million, $2.2 million and $2.3 million, respectively.
	Cash received from stock options exercised during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $5.8 million, $4.1 million and $3.4 million, respectively.  The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from stock options exercised totaled $5.3 million, $6.6 million and $6.5 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2014, there was $6.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost from stock options. This amount is expected to be recognized in the future over a weighted-average period of approximately 3 years.
	The weighted-average fair value of stock options granted was estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2014				2013				2012
	Expected volatility		25		%		28		%		30		%
	Risk-free interest rate		2.35		%		2.65		%		1.53		%
	Expected life (in years)		8.7				8.9				9
	Expected dividend		—				—				—
	Weighted-average fair value of options granted		$	43.96			$	47.25			$	41.82
	Volatility is based on the historical volatilities of our common stock for a period equal to the stock option’s expected life.  The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The expected life represents the number of years that we estimate, based primarily on historical experience, that the options will be outstanding prior to exercise.  We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the future and therefore use an expected dividend yield of zero.
	Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
	Under the 2007 Plan, restricted stock was last granted in 2008. Restricted stock units, which are rights to receive shares of company stock, were granted from 2007 through 2014 under the 2007 Plan.  The fair value of each restricted stock share and restricted stock unit is the market value as determined by the closing price of the stock on the day of grant.
	The following table summarizes restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity:
			Restricted Stock &			Weighted-				Weighted-Average		Aggregate
			Restricted Stock			Average				Remaining		Intrinsic Value
			Units			Grant-Date				Contractual Term		(in millions)
						Fair Value				(in years)
	Outstanding, January 1, 2012		338,991			$	87.81
	Granted		138,840			$	107.32
	Vested		(100,590	)		$	84.64
	Forfeited		(15,783	)		$	88.81
	Outstanding, December 31, 2012		361,458			$	96.15
	Granted		144,445			$	117.09
	Vested		(104,883	)		$	91.76
	Forfeited		(25,590	)		$	95.97
	Outstanding, December 31, 2013		375,430			$	105.44
	Granted		145,695			$	119.56
Vested		(107,557	)		$	98.52
Forfeited		(36,203	)		$	108.17
Outstanding, December 31, 2014		377,365			$	112.6			3.54		$	45.5
The total grant date fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $10.6 million, $9.6 million and $8.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, there was approximately $33.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock units.  This amount is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of approximately 4 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plans
The fair value of the employees’ purchase rights under the 2011 ESPP and the 1988 ESPP was estimated using a Black-Scholes model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
	Year Ended December 31,
	2014						2013						2012
Expected volatility	15		%				19		%				27		%
Risk-free interest rate	0.04		%				0.05		%				0.07		%
Expected life (in years)	0.25						0.25						0.25
Expected dividend	—						—						—
Weighted-average fair value
of purchase rights	$	21.88					$	21.76					$	20.7
The major assumptions are primarily based on historical data.  Volatility is based on the historical volatilities of our common stock for a period equal to the expected life of the purchase rights.  The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.  We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the future and therefore use an expected dividend yield of zero.
We sold 102,222 shares for $10.2 million, 103,669 shares for $10.0 million and 107,749 shares for $9.2 million under the 2011 ESPP to employees in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  At December 31, 2014, 286,360 shares remain authorized and available for issuance under the 2011 ESPP.
We currently issue new shares to satisfy stock option exercises, restricted stock issuances and ESPP stock purchases.

10_Other_Income_and_Expenses

10. Other Income and Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure	10. OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE, NET
	Other (income) expense, net includes the following components (in millions):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Interest and investment income	$	(13.5	)	$	(13.4	)	$	(11.4	)
	Net realized losses (gains) on investments	—			0.3			(8.7		)
	Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments	0.4			0.3			1
	Losses (gains) on disposal of property, plant and equipment	0.4			0.5			(3.8		)
	Miscellaneous other (income) expense items, net	(0.3		)	(0.5		)	1
	Other (income) expense, net	$	(13.0	)	$	(12.8	)	$	(21.9	)
	Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments were recorded in 2014, 2013 and 2012 on certain of our available-for-sale investments and a certain equity investment in light of the continuing declines in their market prices at that time, primarily associated with our investment in a sovereign nation with large deficits and our decision to sell holdings in a particular adviser account.
	In December 2012, we sold a building for $6.4 million in our Clinical Diagnostics segment that was associated with a 1999 acquisition. We recognized a gain on the sale of $4.3 million and a portion of goodwill recorded in a 1999 acquisition was written off of $1.0 million.

11_Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Info

11. Supplemental Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block]	11. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
	The reconciliation of net income including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities is as follows (in millions):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013				2012
	Net income including noncontrolling interests	$	88.8		$	77.8			$	165.5
	Adjustments to reconcile net income including
	noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities (net of effects of
	acquisitions):
	Depreciation and amortization	149.9			147.2				130.4
	Share-based compensation	14.9			13.7				13.2
	Losses (gains) on dispositions of securities	0.3			0.6				(7.6		)
	Losses (gains) on dispositions of fixed assets	0.4			0.5				(4.8		)
	Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(1.3		)	(2.7		)		(2.9		)
	Changes in fair value of contingent consideration	(1.4		)	(5.8		)		(16.1		)
	Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, net	11.1			(24.2		)		4.4
	Decrease (increase) in inventories, net	5.8			(39.7		)	(1)	(13.9		)	(1)
	Increase in other current assets	(5.7		)	(4.2		)		(5.6		)
	(Decrease) increase in accounts payable
	and other current liabilities	(9.9		)	33.2				19
	Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable	20.4			(38.0		)		(18.0		)
	Decrease in deferred income taxes	(6.3		)	(4.0		)		(10.3		)
	Write-off of goodwill	—			—				1
	Net increase/decrease in other long-term liabilities/assets	6.3			14.7				12.2
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	273.3		$	169.1		(1)	$	266.5		(1)
	Non-cash investing activities:
	Purchased intangible assets	$	0.2		$	12			$	0.5
	Purchased marketable securities and investments	$	—		$	0.4			$	1.6
	(1) Amounts revised, see Note 1 "Correction of Immaterial Errors"

12_Commitments_Contingent_Liab

12. Commitments & Contingent Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
	Rents and Leases
	Net rental expense under operating leases was $46.9 million, $45.5 million and $41.4 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Leases are principally for facilities and automobiles.
	Annual future minimum lease payments at December 31, 2014 under operating leases are as follows: 2015 - $39.3 million; 2016 - $33.6 million; 2017 - $25.7 million; 2018 - $18.5 million; and 2019 and beyond - $36.7 million.
	Deferred Profit Sharing Retirement Plan
	We have a profit sharing plan covering substantially all U.S. employees.  Contributions are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  Bio-Rad has no liability other than for the current year’s contribution.  Contribution expense was $13.7 million, $13.5 million and $12.1 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Other Post-Employment Benefits
	In several foreign locations we are statutorily required to provide a lump sum severance or termination indemnity to our employees.  Under these plans, the vested benefit obligation at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $46.1 million and $46.3 million, respectively, and has been included in Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  These plans are not required to be funded, and as such, there is no trust or other device used to accumulate assets to settle these obligations.
	Purchase Obligations
	As of December 31, 2014, we had obligations that have been recognized on our balance sheet of $110.5 million, which include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding to Bio-Rad and that specify all significant terms and exclude agreements that are cancelable without penalty.
	The annual future fixed and determinable portion of our purchase obligations that have been recognized on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 are as follows: 2015 - $18.4 million, 2016 - $11.7 million, 2017 - $10.7 million, 2018 - $3.4 million, 2019 - $2.4 million and after 2019 - $63.9 million.
	As of December 31, 2014, we had purchase obligations that have not been recognized on our balance sheet of $36.3 million, which include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding to Bio-Rad and that specify all significant terms and exclude agreements that are cancelable without penalty.
	The annual future fixed and determinable portion of our purchase obligations that have not been recognized on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 are as follows: 2015 - $17.6 million, 2016 - $4.3 million, 2017 - $2.6 million, 2018 - $3.4 million, 2019 - $5.3 million and after 2019 - $3.1 million.
	Letters of Credit
	In the ordinary course of business, we are at times required to post letters of credit.  The letters of credit are issued by our banks to guarantee our obligations to various parties including insurance companies. We were contingently liable for $7.6 million of standby letters of credit with banks as of December 31, 2014.
	Contingent Consideration
	During the second quarter of 2014, we recognized a contingent consideration liability upon our acquisition of GnuBIO. At the acquisition date, the contingent consideration was based on a probability-weighted income approach that could reach $70.0 million upon the achievement of all development/regulatory and sales milestones. The contingent consideration for the development/regulatory milestones was valued at $10.7 million at the acquisition date based on assumptions regarding the probability of achieving the milestones, with such amounts discounted to present value. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the contingent consideration related to the development/regulatory milestones was revalued to a fair value of $10.0 million as of December 31, 2014. The contingent consideration for the sales milestones at the acquisition date and at December 31, 2014 was determined to be negligible, using the risk-neutral probability of being in the money based on a Black-Scholes framework.
	During the third quarter of 2012, we recognized a contingent consideration liability of $44.6 million upon our acquisition of a new cell sorting system from Propel Labs, Inc. The fair value of the contingent consideration was based on a probability-weighted income approach related to the achievement of certain development and sales milestones. The development milestone was achieved and paid in 2013. In the third quarter of 2014, the first sales milestone was reached with cell sorting system purchase orders resulting in a payment of $2.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Effective as of December 31, 2014, we have amended certain key terms impacting the future payment of contingent consideration on the acquisition of the new cell sorting system from Propel Labs, Inc. These include a clarification of the annual performance period to include an additional 4 months, the replacement of bookings with invoicing as the event to determine the sales milestone, and the seller agreeing to support expanding our offerings to address the request from the customer for customizing our S3 unit. The intention of the parties is, among other things, to increase total market penetration, to evaluate new product configurations, and provide expanded customer support. The amended sales milestones range from 39% of annual invoices for the 2015 and 2016 annual calendar year performance periods to 40% for the extended September 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014 performance period. The contingent consideration was revalued by a net reduction of $0.7 million in 2014 to Selling, general and administrative expense to its estimated fair value of $17.7 million as of December 31, 2014.
	During the fourth quarter of 2011, we recognized a contingent consideration liability upon our acquisition of QuantaLife related to potential future payments due upon the achievement of certain sales and development milestones. The contingent consideration was initially recognized at its estimated fair value of $24.1 million, based on a probability-weighted income approach. As of the acquisition date of October 4, 2011, total contingent consideration could have originally reached a maximum of $48 million upon the achievement of all sales milestones and a development milestone. The development milestone was met as of December 31, 2012, resulting in a payment of $6.0 million in January 2013. During 2012, the first three short-term sales milestones were not met and therefore the fair value of the contingent consideration was lowered by $16.1 million and credited to Selling, general and administrative expense. During 2013, we did not expect that any of the remaining sales milestones would be met and therefore $2.0 million of the remaining contingent consideration liability was credited to Selling, general and administrative expense.
	Concentrations of Labor Subject to Collective Bargaining Agreements
	At December 31, 2014, approximately eight percent of Bio-Rad's approximately 3,100 U.S. employees were covered by a collective bargaining agreement, which will expire on November 8, 2016.  Many of Bio-Rad's non-U.S. full-time employees, especially in France, are covered by collective bargaining agreements.

13_Legal_Proceedings

13. Legal Proceedings	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Legal Proceedings [Abstract]
Legal Matters and Contingencies	13.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
	As previously disclosed, in May 2010 we voluntarily disclosed to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) certain likely or potential violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors (Audit Committee) assumed direct responsibility for reviewing these matters and hired experienced independent counsel to conduct an investigation and provide legal advice.   The SEC and DOJ each commenced its own investigation.  During and following the completion of the Audit Committee’s investigation, we provided information to the DOJ and SEC and cooperated with their investigations.
	Effective November 3, 2014, we entered into a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with the DOJ and consented to the entry of an Order by the SEC (SEC Order), which actions resolve both the DOJ and the SEC investigations. The NPA concerns violations of the FCPA’s books and records and internal control provisions related to Russia during 2005-2010. Pursuant to the NPA, during the fourth quarter of 2014 we paid a penalty of $14.4 million and agreed to certain compliance, reporting and cooperation obligations, and the DOJ agreed that it will not criminally prosecute us for any crimes related to conduct disclosed to the DOJ, provided that we perform our obligations under the NPA for two years.
	The SEC Order concerns violations of the FCPA’s books and records, internal controls, and anti-bribery provisions related to Russia, and violations of the FCPA’s books and records and internal controls provisions related to Vietnam and certain of our Thailand operations during 2005-2010. Pursuant to the SEC Order, during the fourth quarter of 2014 we paid a total of $40.7 million that included $35.1 million in disgorgement and $5.6 million in interest, and agreed to make certain reports to the SEC on our anti-corruption compliance and remediation efforts over the next two years, and to cease and desist any violations of the FCPA. Of the total amount paid for the NPA and the SEC Order of $55.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, we had accrued $35.0 million as of December 31, 2013, with the remaining $20.1 million recorded during 2014.
	In the NPA and the SEC Order, the DOJ and the SEC, respectively, took into account our initial voluntary self-disclosure of the potential FCPA violations, our own extensive investigation and cooperation with their investigations and our extensive and significant remediation efforts to date. Neither the NPA nor the SEC Order requires the appointment of an independent external monitor to oversee our activities or our compliance with applicable laws.
	On April 13, 2011, a shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed against each of our directors in the Superior Court for Contra Costa County, California.  The case, which also named the Company as a nominal defendant, was captioned City of Riviera Beach General Employees’ Retirement System v. David Schwartz, et al. In the complaint, the plaintiff alleged that our directors breached their fiduciary duties by failing to ensure that we had sufficient internal controls and systems for compliance with the FCPA.  Purportedly seeking relief on our behalf, the plaintiff sought an award of unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), and a declaration that our directors breached their fiduciary duties. The parties agreed to a stipulated dismissal of this case, without prejudice, and to a tolling of the statute of limitations pending the resolution of the DOJ and SEC investigations, which occurred in November 2014, as disclosed above.
	On January 23, 2015, the City of Riviera Beach General Employees’ Retirement System filed a new shareholder derivative lawsuit in the Superior Court of Contra Costa County against three of our current directors and one former director. The Company is also named as a nominal defendant. In the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that the Company’s directors breached their fiduciary duty of loyalty by failing to ensure that the Company had sufficient internal controls and systems for compliance with the FCPA; that the Company failed to provide adequate training on the FCPA; and that based on these actions, the directors have been unjustly enriched. Purportedly seeking relief on the Company’s behalf, the plaintiff seeks an award of restitution and unspecified damages, costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees). We and the individual defendants intend to file a demurrer requesting dismissal of the complaint.
	On January 30, 2015, we received a demand pursuant to Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law from the law firm of Scott + Scott LLP on behalf of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 38 Pension Fund to inspect certain books and records of the Company. The alleged purpose of the demand is to investigate the Company’s violation of the FCPA and lack of internal controls.
	In addition, we are party to various other claims, legal actions and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business.  We do not believe, at this time, that any ultimate liability resulting from any of these other matters will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or liquidity.  However, we cannot give any assurance regarding the ultimate outcome of these other matters and their resolution could be material to our operating results for any particular period, depending on the level of income for the period.

14_Segment_Reporting

14. Segment Reporting	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	14. SEGMENT INFORMATION
	Bio-Rad is a multinational manufacturer and worldwide distributor of its own life science research products and clinical diagnostics products.  We have two reportable segments:  Life Science and Clinical Diagnostics.  These reportable segments are strategic business lines that offer more than 8,000 different products and services and require different marketing strategies. We do not disclose quantitative information about our different products and services as it is impractical to do so based primarily on the numerous products and services that we sell and the global markets that we serve.
	The Life Science segment develops, manufactures, sells and services reagents, apparatus and instruments used for biological research.  These products are sold to university and medical school laboratories, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, food testing laboratories and government and industrial research facilities.
	The Clinical Diagnostics segment develops, manufactures, sells and services automated test systems, informatics systems, test kits and specialized quality controls for the healthcare market.  These products are sold to reference laboratories, hospital laboratories, state newborn screening facilities, physicians’ office laboratories, transfusion laboratories and insurance and forensic testing laboratories.
	Other Operations include the remainder of our former Analytical Instruments segment.
	Segment results are presented in the same manner as we present our operations internally to make operating decisions and assess performance. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Significant Accounting Policies (see Note 1).  Segment profit or loss includes an allocation of corporate expense based upon sales and an allocation of interest expense based upon accounts receivable and inventories.  The difference between total segment allocated interest expense, depreciation and amortization, and capital expenditures and the corresponding consolidated amounts is attributable to our corporate headquarters.  Segments are expected to manage only assets completely under their control.  Accordingly, segment assets include primarily accounts receivable, inventories and gross machinery and equipment.  Goodwill balances have been included in corporate for segment reporting purposes.
	Information regarding industry segments at December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 and for the years then ended is as follows (in millions):
				Life				Clinical				Other
				Science				Diagnostics				Operations
	Segment net sales	2014		$	728.3			$	1,432.30			$	14.4
		2013		710				1,408.00				14.7
		2012		688.4				1,365.50				15.3
	Allocated interest expense	2014		$	5.5			$	15.9			$	0.1
		2013		10.4				30.1				0.1
		2012		13.4				37.8				0.2
	Depreciation and amortization	2014		$	33.2			$	95.8			$	—
		2013		32.6				91.5				0.1
		2012		26.3				92.9				0.1
	Segment (loss) profit	2014		$	(14.7	)		$	167.1			$	1.2
		2013		(13.7		)		176.2				1.1
		2012		13.2				202.6				1.6
	Segment assets	2014		$	361.5			$	884.9			$	4.8
		2013		389.1				980.9				5.1
	Capital expenditures	2014		$	14.1			$	60.1			$	—
		2013		19.8				66.5			(1)	0.2
	(1) Amount revised, see Note 1 "Correction of Immaterial Errors"
	Net corporate operating expense consists of receipts and expenditures that are not the primary responsibility of segment operating management and therefore are not allocated to the segments for performance assessment by our chief operating decision maker. In 2014 and 2013, this included the accrual of $20.1 million and $35.0 million, respectively, in connection with our resolutions of the SEC and DOJ investigations relating to the FCPA (see Note 13). In 2013, this also included the $15.6 million expense for the redemption of our 8.0% Senior Subordinated Notes (see Note 5). The following reconciles total segment profit to consolidated income before taxes (in millions):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Total segment profit	$	153.6			$	163.6			$	217.4
	Foreign exchange losses	(9.3		)		(8.6		)		(5.0		)
	Net corporate operating, interest and other expense, net not allocated to segments	(25.7		)		(55.4		)		(4.4		)
	Other income (expense), net	13				12.8				21.9
	Consolidated income before taxes	$	131.6			$	112.4			$	229.9
	The following reconciles total segment assets to consolidated total assets (in millions):
			December 31,
			2014				2013
	Total segment assets		$	1,251.20			$	1,375.10
	Cash and other current assets		888.1				829.8			(1)
	Property, plant and equipment, net, excluding
	segment specific gross machinery and equipment		26.7				(14.9		)
	Goodwill, net		500.4				517.8
	Other long-term assets		674.9				681			(1)
	Total assets		$	3,341.30			$	3,388.80
	(1) Amounts revised, see Note 1 "Correction of Immaterial Errors"
	The following presents net sales to external customers by geographic region based primarily on the location of the use of the product or service (in millions):
			Year Ended December 31,
			2014				2013				2012
	Europe		$	901.7			$	886.1			$	837
	Pacific Rim		417.5				413.3				425.7
	United States		704.9				677.7				656.7
	Other (primarily Canada and Latin America)		150.9				155.6				149.8
	Total net sales		$	2,175.00			$	2,132.70			$	2,069.20
	The following presents Property, plant and equipment, net, Other investments and other assets, excluding deferred income taxes, by geographic region based upon the location of the asset (in millions):
			December 31,
			2014				2013			(1)
	Europe		$	194.5			$	210.5
	Pacific Rim		19				22.4
	United States		623.8				584.4
	Other (primarily Canada and Latin America)		12.1				12
	Total Property, plant and equipment, net, Other investments and other assets, excluding deferred income taxes		$	849.4			$	829.3
	(1) Amounts revised, see Note 1 "Correction of Immaterial Errors"

15_Quarterly_Financial_Data

15. Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data [Text Block]	15. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
	Summarized quarterly financial data for 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in millions, except per share data):
		First		Second		Third			Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter			Quarter
	2014
	Net sales	$	509.3	$	536.8	$	530.6		$	598.2
	Gross profit	275.3		297.2		288.6			317.4
	Net income attributable to Bio-Rad	6.7		31.6		11.5			39
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.23	$	1.1	$	0.4		$	1.35
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.23	$	1.09	$	0.39		$	1.34
	2013
	Net sales	$	499.7	$	525.3	$	505.1		$	602.6
	Gross profit	271.4		300.1		284.2			322.7
	Net income (loss) attributable to Bio-Rad	20.2		34.6		(7.1		)	30.1
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	0.71	$	1.21	$	(0.25	)	$	1.05
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.7	$	1.2	$	(0.25	)	$	1.04

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accoutns	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]	BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
	SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012
	(in thousands)
	Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable
		Balance at		Additions			Deductions			Balance at
		Beginning		Charged to Costs						End of Year
		of Year		and Expenses
	2014	$	32,471	$	7,164		$	(11,662	)	$	27,973
	2013	$	29,202	$	9,181		$	(5,912	)	$	32,471
	2012	$	33,259	$	7,597		$	(11,654	)	$	29,202
	Valuation allowance for current and long-term deferred tax assets
		Balance at		Additions Charged			Deductions			Other (A)		Balance at
		Beginning		(Credited) to Income								End of Year
		of Year		Tax Expense
	2014	$	64,011	$	(5,396	)	$	—		$	—	$	58,615
	2013	$	52,856	$	11,155		$	—		$	—	$	64,011
	2012	$	48,926	$	3,700		$	—		$	230	$	52,856
	(A)  Due to acquisitions.

1_Significant_Accounting_Polic1

1. Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Research and Development
	Internal research and development costs are expensed as incurred.  Third-party research and development costs are expensed when the contracted work has been performed.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. and all of our wholly and majority owned subsidiaries (referred to in this report as “Bio-Rad,” “we,” “us” and “our”) after elimination of intercompany balances and transactions.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	We evaluate subsequent events and the evidence they provide about conditions existing at the date of the balance sheet as well as conditions that arose after the balance sheet date but through the date the financial statements are issued.  The effects of conditions that existed at the balance sheet date are recognized in the financial statements. Events and conditions arising after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued are evaluated to determine if disclosure is required to keep the financial statements from being misleading.  To the extent such events and conditions exist, disclosures are made regarding the nature of events and the estimated financial effects for those events and conditions.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less which are readily convertible into cash.  Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.
Available-for-sale Investments	Available-for-Sale Investments
	Available-for-sale investments consist of corporate obligations, municipal securities, asset backed securities, U.S. government sponsored agencies and marketable equity securities.  Management classifies investments at the time of purchase and reevaluates such classification at each balance sheet date.  Investments with maturities beyond one year may be classified as short-term based on their liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent the investment of cash that is available for current operations.  Available-for-sale investments are reported at fair value based on quoted market prices and other observable market data.  Unrealized gains and losses are reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of any related tax effect.  Unrealized losses are charged against income when a decline in the fair value of an individual security is determined to be other-than-temporary.  We review our available-for-sale investments for other-than-temporary losses on a quarterly basis.  Realized gains and losses and other-than-temporary impairments on investments are included in Other (income) expense, net (see Note 10).
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Concentration of Credit Risk
	Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, investments, foreign exchange contracts and trade accounts receivable.  Cash and cash equivalents and investments are placed with various highly rated major financial institutions located in different geographic regions. Bio-Rad has not sustained significant losses from instruments held at financial institutions.
	The forward contracts used in managing our foreign currency exposures have an element of risk in that the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreements.  We attempt to minimize this risk by limiting the counterparties to a diverse group of highly-rated domestic and international financial institutions.  In the event of non-performance by these counterparties, the carrying values of our financial instruments represent the maximum amount of loss we would have incurred as of our fiscal year-end.  However, we do not expect to record any losses as a result of counterparty default.
	We perform credit evaluation procedures related to our trade receivables and with the exception of certain developing countries, generally do not require collateral.  As a result of increased risk in certain developing countries, some Bio-Rad sales are subject to collateral letters of credit from our customers.  Credit risk for trade accounts receivable is generally limited due to the large number of customers and their dispersion across many geographic areas.  However, a significant amount of trade receivables are with national healthcare systems in countries within the European Union.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable
	We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments.  The amount of the allowance is determined by analyzing known uncollectible accounts, aged receivables, economic conditions in the customers’ country or industry, historical losses and our customers’ credit-worthiness.  Amounts later determined and specifically identified to be uncollectible are charged or written off against this allowance.
Inventory	Inventory
	Inventories are valued at the lower of actual cost or market (net realizable value) and include material, labor and overhead costs.  The first-in, first-out method is used to relieve inventory for products sold.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Included in property, plant and equipment are buildings and equipment acquired under capital lease arrangements, reagent rental equipment and capitalized software, including costs for software developed or obtained for internal use. Property, plant and equipment are assessed for impairment quarterly or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
	Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  Buildings and leasehold improvements are amortized over 15-30 years or the term of the leases or life of the improvements, whichever is shorter.  With the exception of reagent rental equipment, which is amortized over a 1-5 year period, equipment and capitalized software is depreciated over 3-12 years.
Goodwill	Goodwill
	Goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of acquired businesses.  Goodwill is assessed for impairment by applying fair value based tests annually in the fourth quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We perform impairment tests of goodwill at our reporting unit level, which is one level below our operating segments.  Our reporting units are identified as components for which discrete financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by management.  Goodwill amounts are assigned to reporting units at the time of acquisition.
	The goodwill impairment test consists of a two-step process.  The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We use a projected discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value of a reporting unit.  If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired, and the second step of the impairment test is not required.  The second step, if required, compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.  The fair value of a reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit.  If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets
	For purposes of recognition and measurement of an impairment loss, a long-lived asset or assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.  We assess the impairment of long-lived assets (including identifiable intangible assets) quarterly or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  Factors that we consider important that could trigger an impairment review include:
	•	significant under-performance relative to expected, historical or projected future operating results;
	•	significant changes in the manner of use of the long-lived assets, intangible assets or the strategy for our overall business;
	•	a current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of at a loss before the end of its previously estimated useful life; and
	•	significant negative industry, legal, regulatory or economic trends.
	When management determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the above indicators of impairment, we test for any impairment based on a projected undiscounted cash flow method.  Projected future operating results and cash flows of the asset or asset group are used to establish the fair value used in evaluating the carrying value of long-lived and intangible assets.  We estimate the future cash flows of the long-lived assets using current and long-term financial forecasts.  The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset.  If this is the case, an impairment loss would be recognized.  The impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements.  Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the tax effects of losses, credits, and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. They are determined using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.  The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	We record deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized.  In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. To the extent we determine that we are able to realize our deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we make an adjustment to the valuation allowance which may reduce the provision for income taxes. When we establish or reduce the valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets, our provision for income taxes will increase or decrease, respectively, in the period that determination to change the valuation allowance is made.
	We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements on a particular tax position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than a 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement.  The amount of unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted as appropriate for changes in facts and circumstances, such as significant amendments to existing tax law, new regulations or interpretations by the taxing authorities, new information obtained during a tax examination, or resolution of an examination.  We recognize both accrued interest and penalties, where appropriate, related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue is recognized when pervasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and title has passed to the customer or product has been delivered absent specific contractual specifications.  Revenue associated with equipment that requires factory installation is not recorded until installation is complete and customer acceptance, if required contractually, has occurred.  At the time revenue is recognized, a provision is recognized for estimated product returns. Service revenues on extended warranty contracts are recognized ratably over the life of the service agreement, or as services are performed if not under contract. Net sales are the actual selling price of products to customers. Any taxes billed to the customer (sales tax, value added tax, etc.) shall be credited to the tax liability accounts and excluded from net sales.
	Reagent agreements are a diagnostic industry sales method that provides use of an instrument and consumables (reagents) to a customer on a per test basis.  We evaluate our reagent agreements and account for these contracts under the guidance pertaining to accounting for revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables.  Our reagent agreements represent one unit of accounting as the instrument and consumables are interdependent in producing a diagnostic result that neither has a stand-alone value with respect to these agreements. All revenues that we earn under our reagent agreements are recognized pursuant to the terms of each agreement and are based and entirely contingent upon either (i) when the consumables to conduct a fixed number of tests are delivered or (ii) as reported by the customer on a per test basis.
Shipping and Handling	Shipping and Handling
	We classify all freight costs billed to customers as Net sales.  Related freight costs are included in Cost of goods sold.
Warranty	Warranty
	We warrant certain equipment against defects in design, materials and workmanship, mostly for a period of one year.  Upon delivery of that equipment, we establish, as part of Cost of goods sold, a provision for the expected costs of such warranty based on historical experience, specific warranty terms and customer feedback.  A review is performed on a quarterly basis to assess the adequacy of our warranty accrual.
	Changes in the warranty accrual, included in Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities, were as follows (in millions):
			2014				2013
	1-Jan		$	15.6			$	16.4
	Provision for warranty		28.6				15.6
	Actual warranty costs		(26.4		)		(16.4		)
	31-Dec		$	17.8			$	15.6
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency
	Balance sheet accounts of international subsidiaries are translated at the current exchange rates as of the end of each accounting period.  Income statement items are translated at average exchange rates for the period.  The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.
	Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in Foreign exchange losses, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  Transaction gains and losses result primarily from fluctuations in exchange rates when intercompany receivables and payables are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our subsidiary that recorded the transaction.
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts	Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts
	As part of distributing our products, we regularly enter into intercompany transactions.  We enter into forward foreign exchange contracts to manage foreign exchange risk of future movements in exchange rates that affect foreign currency denominated intercompany receivables and payables.  We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes, nor do we seek hedge accounting treatment for any of our contracts. As a result, these contracts, generally with maturity dates of 90 days or less and denominated primarily in currencies of industrial countries, are recorded as an asset or liability measured at their fair value at each balance sheet date. The resulting gains or losses offset exchange gains or losses, on the related receivables and payables, all of which are recorded in Foreign exchange losses, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Noncontrolling Interests	Noncontrolling Interests
	A noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in a consolidated entity that is reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from Bio-Rad’s equity.  In addition, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is reported separately from net income attributable to Bio-Rad in the consolidated financial statements.  Our consolidated statements presented the full amount of assets, liabilities, income and expenses of all of our consolidated subsidiaries, with a partially offsetting amount shown in noncontrolling interests for the portion of assets and liabilities that were not controlled by us.
	In February 2013, we acquired the remaining outstanding shares of Distribuidora de Analitica para Medicina Iberica S.A. (DiaMed Spain) from the remaining noncontrolling shareholder for approximately 0.6 million Euros or $0.9 million in cash. This acquisition was accounted for as an equity transaction, which reduced Bio-Rad's noncontrolling interests and additional paid-in capital by $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively, and therefore since that date there are no noncontrolling interests in Bio-Rad.
Share-based Compensation Plans	Share-Based Compensation Plans
	Stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted is determined based on the grant-date fair value.  We recognize these compensation costs net of estimated forfeitures over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term of the share-based payment awards.  We estimated the forfeiture rate based on our historical experience.  These plans are described more fully in Note 9.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Bio-Rad by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for that period.  Diluted earnings per share takes into account the effect of dilutive instruments, such as stock options and restricted stock, and uses the average share price for the period in determining the number of potential common shares that are to be added to the weighted average number of shares outstanding.  Potential common shares are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation if the effect would be anti-dilutive.
	Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share (EPS) pursuant to the two-class method.  As our unvested restricted shares qualify as participating securities, we have included these shares in the computation of EPS.
	The weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share and the anti-dilutive shares are as follows (in thousands):
			Year Ended December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		28,876			28,586			28,290
	Effect of potentially dilutive stock options
	and restricted stock awards		257			320			352
	Diluted weighted average common shares		29,133			28,906			28,642
	Anti-dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards
	excluded from the computation of diluted EPS		122			107			83
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	For certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, marketable securities, notes payable, accounts payable and foreign exchange contracts, the carrying amounts approximate fair value.
	The estimated fair value of financial instruments is based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  Estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current market exchange as considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data used to develop estimates of fair value.  The use of different market assumptions or estimation techniques could have a material effect on the estimated fair value (see Note 3).
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Standards Updates
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period and is to be applied retrospectively, with early application not permitted. The new standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

1_Significant_Accounting_Polic2

1. Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability	Changes in the warranty accrual, included in Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities, were as follows (in millions):
		2014				2013
	1-Jan	$	15.6			$	16.4
	Provision for warranty	28.6				15.6
	Actual warranty costs	(26.4		)		(16.4		)
	31-Dec	$	17.8			$	15.6
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares	The weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share and the anti-dilutive shares are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	28,876			28,586			28,290
	Effect of potentially dilutive stock options
	and restricted stock awards	257			320			352
	Diluted weighted average common shares	29,133			28,906			28,642
	Anti-dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards
	excluded from the computation of diluted EPS	122			107			83

3_Fair_Value_Measurements_Tabl

3. Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Discussion of Current Derivative Risk Management [Table Text Block]	The following is a summary of our forward foreign currency exchange contracts (in millions):
		December 31,
		2014
	Contracts maturing in January through March 2015 to sell foreign currency:
	Notional value	$	81.1
	Unrealized loss	$	1
	Contracts maturing in January through March 2015 to purchase foreign currency:
	Notional value	$	285.8
	Unrealized loss	$	0.2
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The following table provides a reconciliation of the Level 3 contingent consideration liabilities measured at estimated fair value based on original valuations and updated quarterly for the year ended December 31, 2014 (in millions):
		2014
	1-Jan	$	20.8
	Cell sorting system:
	Payment of sales milestone	(2.4		)
	Net decrease in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in Selling, general and administrative expense	(0.7		)
	GnuBIO:
	Acquisition of GnuBIO	10.7
	Net decrease in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in Selling, general and administrative expense	(0.7		)
	31-Dec	$	27.7
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Table Text Block]	The following table provides quantitative information about Level 3 inputs for fair value measurement of our contingent consideration liabilities as of December 31, 2014. Significant increases or decreases in these inputs in isolation could result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.
				Range
		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	From	To
	Cell sorting system	Probability-weighted income approach	Sales milestone:
			Credit adjusted discount rates	0.62%	1.22%
			Projected volatility of growth rates	10.00%	N/A
			Market price of risk	1.75%	N/A
	GnuBIO	Probability-weighted income approach	Development/regulatory milestones:
			Milestones probability	50.00%	75.00%
			Discount rate	0.34%	0.48%
			Sales milestones:
			Milestones probability	—%	N/A
			Discount rate	0.92%	2.04%
Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis	Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 are classified in the hierarchy as follows (in millions):
		Level 1				Level 2		Level 3				Total
	Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value:
	Cash equivalents (a):
	Commercial paper	$	—			$	4	$	—			$	4
	Foreign time deposits	16.5				—		—				16.5
	Money market funds	2.2				—		—				2.2
	Total cash equivalents	18.7				4		—				22.7
	Available-for-sale investments (b):
	Corporate debt securities	—				139.9		—				139.9
	Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	—				5.2		—				5.2
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	—				47.5		—				47.5
	Foreign government obligations	—				4		—				4
	Municipal obligations	—				6.5		—				6.5
	Marketable equity securities	334.4				—		—				334.4
	Asset-backed securities	—				48.4		—				48.4
	Total available-for-sale investments	334.4				251.5		—				585.9
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (c)	—				0.6		—				0.6
	Total financial assets carried at fair value	$	353.1			$	256.1	$	—			$	609.2
	Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value:
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (d)	$	—			$	1.7	$	—			$	1.7
	Contingent consideration (e)	—				—		27.7				27.7
	Total financial liabilities carried at fair value	$	—			$	1.7	$	27.7			$	29.4
	Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value and measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 are classified in the hierarchy as follows (in millions):
		Level 1				Level 2		Level 3				Total
	Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value:
	Cash equivalents (a):
	Commercial paper	$	—			$	7	—				$	7
	Foreign time deposits	11.1				—		—				11.1
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	—				1.2		—				1.2
	Money market funds	1.2				—		—				1.2
	Total cash equivalents	12.3				8.2		—				20.5
	Available-for-sale investments (b):
	Corporate debt securities	—				132.5		—				132.5
	Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	—				8.9		—				8.9
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	—				39.1		—				39.1
	Foreign government obligations	—				5.6		—				5.6
	Municipal obligations	—				11		—				11
	Marketable equity securities	325.2				—		—				325.2
	Asset-backed securities	—				48.6		—				48.6
	Total available-for-sale investments	325.2				245.7		—				570.9
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (c)	—				0.6		—				0.6
	Total financial assets carried at fair value	$	337.5			$	254.5	—				$	592
	Financial Liabilities Carried at Fair Value:
	Forward foreign exchange contracts (d)	$	—			$	1.1	—				$	1.1
	Contingent consideration (e)	—				—		20.8				20.8
	Total financial liabilities carried at fair value	$	—			$	1.1	$	20.8			$	21.9
	(a)	Cash equivalents are included in Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	(b)	Available-for-sale investments are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):
		December 31,				December 31, 2013
		2014
	Short-term investments	$	284.4			$	277.4
	Other investments	301.5				293.5
	Total	$	585.9			$	570.9
	(c)	Forward foreign exchange contracts in an asset position are included in Other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	(d)	Forward foreign exchange contracts in a liability position are included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	(e)	Contingent consideration liabilities are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):
		December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Other current liabilities	$	13.1			$	6.1
	Other long-term liabilities	14.6				14.7
	Total	$	27.7			$	20.8
Schedule of available-for-sale investments	Available-for-sale investments consist of the following (in millions):
		December 31, 2014
		Amortized				Unrealized		Unrealized				Estimated
		Cost				Gains		Losses				Fair
												Value
	Short-term investments:
	Corporate debt securities	$	139.7			$	0.4	$	(0.2	)		$	139.9
	Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	5.2				—		—				5.2
	Municipal obligations	6.5				—		—				6.5
	Asset-backed securities	48.2				—		(0.2		)		48
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	47.4				0.1		—				47.5
	Foreign government obligations	4				—		—				4
	Marketable equity securities	29				4.5		(0.2		)		33.3
		280				5		(0.6		)		284.4
	Long-term investments:
	Marketable equity securities	54.5				246.6		—				301.1
	Asset-backed securities	0.4				—		—				0.4
		54.9				246.6		—				301.5
	Total	$	334.9			$	251.6	$	(0.6	)		$	585.9
		December 31, 2013
		Amortized				Unrealized		Unrealized				Estimated
		Cost				Gains		Losses				Fair
												Value
	Short-term investments:
	Corporate debt securities	$	132.6			$	0.3	$	(0.4	)		$	132.5
	Foreign brokered certificates of deposit	8.9				—		—				8.9
	Municipal obligations	11.1				—		(0.1		)		11
	Asset-backed securities	48.4				0.1		(0.2		)		48.3
	U.S. government sponsored agencies	39.1				0.1		(0.1		)		39.1
	Foreign government obligations	5.6				—		—				5.6
	Marketable equity securities	26.6				5.4		—				32
		272.3				5.9		(0.8		)		277.4
	Long-term investments:
	Marketable equity securities	54.5				238.7		—				293.2
	Asset-backed securities	0.4				—		(0.1		)		0.3
		54.9				238.7		(0.1		)		293.5
	Total	$	327.2			$	244.6	$	(0.9	)		$	570.9
Summary of investments with gross unrealized losses and the associated fair value	The following is a summary of investments with gross unrealized losses and the associated fair value (in millions):
		December 31,				December 31, 2013
		2014
	Fair value of investments in a loss position 12 months or more	$	8.4			$	2.3
	Fair value of investments in a loss position less than 12 months	$	90.7			$	73.9
	Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position 12 months or more	$	0.2			$	0.1
	Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position less than 12 months	$	0.4			$	0.8
Summary of amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity date	The following is a summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of our debt securities at December 31, 2014 by contractual maturity date (in millions):
		Amortized				Estimated Fair
		Cost				Value
	Mature in less than one year	$	110.7			$	110.7
	Mature in one to five years	99.9				99.9
	Mature in more than five years	40.8				40.9
	Total	$	251.4			$	251.5
Estimated fair value of financial instruments	The estimated fair value of the financial instruments discussed above and the level of the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is categorized are as follows (in millions):
		December 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Carrying				Estimated		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Carrying				Estimated		Fair Value Hierarchy Level
		Amount				Fair				Amount				Fair
						Value								Value
	Other investments	$	82.6			$	401.1	2		$	77.5			$	382.9	2
	Total long-term debt, excluding leases	$	423.5			$	454.9	2		$	423.2			$	433	2
	and current maturities

4_Intangible_Assets_Goodwill_a1

4. Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes to goodwill by segment	Changes to goodwill by segment were as follows (in millions):
			2014										2013
			Life			Clinical				Total			Life			Clinical			Total
			Science			Diagnostics							Science			Diagnostics
	Balances as of January 1:
	Goodwill		$	209		$	337			$	546		$	193.6		$	330		$	523.6
	Accumulated impairment losses and write-offs		(27.2		)	(1.0		)		(28.2		)	(27.2		)	(1.0		)	(28.2		)
	Goodwill, net		181.8			336				517.8			166.4			329			495.4
	Acquisitions		—			13.5				13.5			14.9			—			14.9
	Currency fluctuations		(1.3		)	(29.6		)		(30.9		)	0.5			7			7.5
	Balances as of December 31:
	Goodwill		207.7			320.9				528.6			209			337			546
	Accumulated impairment losses and write-offs		(27.2		)	(1.0		)		(28.2		)	(27.2		)	(1.0		)	(28.2		)
	Goodwill, net		$	180.5		$	319.9			$	500.4		$	181.8		$	336		$	517.8
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major-Class	Information regarding our identifiable purchased intangible assets with definite and indefinite lives is as follows (in millions):
		December 31, 2014
		Average		Purchase			Accumulated				Net
		Remaining		Price			Amortization				Carrying
		Life (years)									Amount
	Customer relationships/lists	10-Mar		$	89.4		$	(43.0	)		$	46.4
	Know how	11-Jan		184.7			(102.5		)		82.2
	Developed product technology	12-May		103.9			(42.8		)		61.1
	Licenses	11-Jan		39.4			(26.5		)		12.9
	Tradenames	10-Jan		3.6			(2.1		)		1.5
	Covenants not to compete	8-Mar		4.9			(1.2		)		3.7
	Total definite-lived intangible assets			425.9			(218.1		)		207.8
	In-process research and development			46.4			—				46.4
	Total purchased intangible assets			$	472.3		$	(218.1	)		$	254.2
		December 31, 2013
		Average		Purchase			Accumulated				Net
		Remaining		Price			Amortization				Carrying
		Life (years)									Amount
	Customer relationships/lists	11-Jan		$	99.8		$	(41.1	)		$	58.7
	Know how	12-Feb		194.6			(89.3		)		105.3
	Developed product technology	13-Jan		109.5			(36.2		)		73.3
	Licenses	12-Jan		44.9			(22.4		)		22.5
	Tradenames	9-Jan		4.3			(2.1		)		2.2
	Covenants not to compete	9-May		4.9			(0.7		)		4.2
	Other	—		0.6			(0.6		)		—
				$	458.6		$	(192.4	)		$	266.2

5_Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_D1

5. Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Principal components of long-term debt [Table Text Block]	The principal components of long-term debt are as follows (in millions):
		December 31,			December 31, 2013
		2014
	4.875% Senior Notes due 2020, net of discount	423.5			423.2
	Capital leases and other debt	12.5			12.6
		436			435.8
	Less current maturities	(0.3		)	(0.2		)
	Long-term debt	$	435.7		$	435.6

6_Income_Taxes_Tables

6. Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. and international components of income before taxes [Table Text Block]	The U.S. and international components of income before taxes are as follows (in millions):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	U.S.	$	30.6			$	5.7			$	110.6
	International	101				106.7				119.3
	Income before taxes	$	131.6			$	112.4			$	229.9
Provision for income taxes [Table Text Block]	The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in millions):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Current tax expense (benefit):
	U.S. Federal	$	9.6			$	(5.0	)		$	34.4
	State	3.8				0.6				4.1
	International	35.6				38.3				37.3
	Current tax expense	49				33.9				75.8
	Deferred tax (benefit) expense:
	U.S. Federal	1.5				4.8				(3.1		)
	State	(0.2		)		(0.1		)		(0.9		)
	International	(7.3		)		(9.4		)		(6.3		)
	Deferred tax benefit	(6.0		)		(4.7		)		(10.3		)
	Non-current tax expense (benefit)	(0.3		)		5.4				(1.1		)
	Provision for income taxes	$	42.7			$	34.6			$	64.4
Reconcilation of effective tax rate on inocme before taxes and statutory rate [Table Text Block]	The reconciliation between our effective tax rate on income before taxes and the statutory tax rate is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. statutory tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	Impact of foreign operations	(4	)		(6	)		(3	)
	Research tax credits	(3	)		(6	)		—
	Nontaxable subsidies	(2	)		(2	)		(1	)
	Tax settlements and changes to unrecognized tax benefits	(1	)		5			—
	Fines and penalties	3			1			—
	Contingent consideration	—			(1	)		(2	)
	Other	4			5			(1	)
	Provision for income taxes	32	%		31	%		28	%
Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities [Table Text Block]	Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the tax effects of losses, credits, and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.  Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in millions):
		December 31,
		2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Bad debt, inventory and warranty accruals	$	25.3			$	27.5
	Legal reserves	2				12
	Other post-employment benefits, vacation and other reserves	23.6				22.2
	Tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards	60.5				62.3
	Other	28.4				19
	Total gross deferred tax assets	139.8				143
	Valuation allowance	(58.6		)		(64.0		)
	Total deferred tax assets	81.2				79
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment	12.9				17.2
	Investments and intangible assets	158.2				147
	Total deferred tax liabilities	171.1				164.2
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(89.9	)		$	(85.2	)
Tabular reconcilation of total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits [Table Text Block]	The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits (in millions):
		2014				2013				2012
	Unrecognized tax benefits – January 1	$	16.2			$	12.6			$	11.3
	Additions to tax positions related to prior years	1.7				4.7				1.3
	Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	(1.5		)		(0.8		)		(0.8		)
	Additions to tax positions related to the current year	1.6				2				1.6
	Settlements	(0.4		)		(0.3		)		—
	Lapse of statute of limitations	(2.6		)		(1.7		)		(3.0		)
	Acquisitions	—				—				2.2
	Currency translation	(0.8		)		(0.3		)		—
	Unrecognized tax benefits – December 31	$	14.2			$	16.2			$	12.6

7_Stockholders_Equity_Stockhol

7. Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Shares Detail (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Schedule of Stock by Class [Table Text Block]	Changes to Bio-Rad's issued common stock shares are as follows (in thousands):
		Class A Shares	Class B Shares
	Balance at January 1, 2012	23,020	5,165
	B to A conversions	59	(59	)
	Issuance of common stock	253	44
	Balance at December 31, 2012	23,333	5,150
	B to A conversions	80	(80	)
	Issuance of common stock	269	27
	Balance at December 31, 2013	23,681	5,097
	B to A conversions	5	(5	)
	Issuance of common stock	286	7
	Balance at December 31, 2014	23,972	5,099

8_Accumulated_Other_Comprehens1

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Accumulated other comprehensive income included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity consists of the following components (in millions):
		Foreign currency translation adjustments			Foreign other post-employment benefits adjustments			Net unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale investments			Bio-Rad Accumulated other comprehensive income			Non-controlling interests			Total Accumulated other comprehensive income
	Balances as of January 1, 2013	$	172.9		$	(8.1	)	$	109.7		$	274.5		$	(0.2	)	$	274.3
	Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	16.7			(0.7		)	78.3			94.3			—			94.3
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	(0.2		)	0.7			0.3			0.8			0.2			1
	Income Tax Effects	—			—			(28.9		)	(28.9		)	—			(28.9		)
	Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes	16.5			—			49.7			66.2			0.2			66.4
	Balances as of December 31, 2013	$	189.4		$	(8.1	)	$	159.4		$	340.7		$	—		$	340.7
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications	(117.0		)	(11.4		)	7.3			(121.1		)	—			(121.1		)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	(1.2		)	0.7			—			(0.5		)	—			(0.5		)
	Income Tax Effects	—			2.5			(2.7		)	(0.2		)	—			(0.2		)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes	(118.2		)	(8.2		)	4.6			(121.8		)	—			(121.8		)
	Balances as of December 31, 2014	$	71.2		$	(16.3	)	$	164		$	218.9		$	—		$	218.9

8_Accumulated_Other_Comprehens2

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	reclassified out of Accumulated other comprehensive income into the Consolidated Statements of Income, with presentation location, were as follows:
	Income before taxes impact (in millions):
		December 31,
	Components of Comprehensive income	2014			2013			Location
	Liquidation of entity	$	1.2		$	0.2		Cost of goods sold
	Amortization of foreign other post-employment benefit items	$	(0.7	)	$	(0.7	)	Selling, general and administrative expense
	Net holding losses on available for sale investments	$	—		$	(0.3	)	Other (income) expense, net
	Reclassification adjustments are calculated using the specific identification method.

9_Sharebased_Compensation_Tabl

9. Share-based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock Options Activity	Stock Options
	The following table summarizes stock option activity:
			Shares			Weighted-				Weighted-		Aggregate
						Average				Average		Intrinsic
						Exercise Price				Remaining		Value
										Contractual		(in millions)
										Term (in years)
	Outstanding, January 1, 2012		888,750			$	63.5
	Granted		55,250			$	107.32
	Exercised		(181,707	)		$	44.66
	Forfeited/expired		(15,000	)		$	87.78
	Outstanding, December 31, 2012		747,293			$	70.83
	Granted		55,050			$	117.67
	Exercised		(159,450	)		$	54.16
	Forfeited/expired		(13,250	)		$	91.32
	Outstanding, December 31, 2013		629,643			$	78.72
	Granted		54,000			$	119.71
	Exercised		(91,387	)		$	63.66
	Forfeited/expired		(10,450	)		$	100.29
	Outstanding, December 31, 2014		581,806			$	84.5			4.4		$	21
	Vested and expected to vest,
	December 31, 2014		565,246			$	83.61			4.28		$	20.9
	Exercisable, December 31, 2014		428,726			$	74.62			2.96		$	19.7
Stock Options Valuation Assumptions	The weighted-average fair value of stock options granted was estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2014				2013				2012
	Expected volatility		25		%		28		%		30		%
	Risk-free interest rate		2.35		%		2.65		%		1.53		%
	Expected life (in years)		8.7				8.9				9
	Expected dividend		—				—				—
	Weighted-average fair value of options granted		$	43.96			$	47.25			$	41.82
Resticted Stock Activity	The following table summarizes restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity:
			Restricted Stock &			Weighted-				Weighted-Average		Aggregate
			Restricted Stock			Average				Remaining		Intrinsic Value
			Units			Grant-Date				Contractual Term		(in millions)
						Fair Value				(in years)
	Outstanding, January 1, 2012		338,991			$	87.81
	Granted		138,840			$	107.32
	Vested		(100,590	)		$	84.64
	Forfeited		(15,783	)		$	88.81
	Outstanding, December 31, 2012		361,458			$	96.15
	Granted		144,445			$	117.09
	Vested		(104,883	)		$	91.76
	Forfeited		(25,590	)		$	95.97
	Outstanding, December 31, 2013		375,430			$	105.44
	Granted		145,695			$	119.56
	Vested		(107,557	)		$	98.52
	Forfeited		(36,203	)		$	108.17
	Outstanding, December 31, 2014		377,365			$	112.6			3.54		$	45.5
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions	The fair value of the employees’ purchase rights under the 2011 ESPP and the 1988 ESPP was estimated using a Black-Scholes model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014						2013						2012
	Expected volatility	15		%				19		%				27		%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.04		%				0.05		%				0.07		%
	Expected life (in years)	0.25						0.25						0.25
	Expected dividend	—						—						—
	Weighted-average fair value
	of purchase rights	$	21.88					$	21.76					$	20.7

10_Other_Income_and_Expenses_T

10. Other Income and Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expense [Abstract]
Schedule of other income (expense), net	Other (income) expense, net includes the following components (in millions):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Interest and investment income	$	(13.5	)	$	(13.4	)	$	(11.4	)
	Net realized losses (gains) on investments	—			0.3			(8.7		)
	Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments	0.4			0.3			1
	Losses (gains) on disposal of property, plant and equipment	0.4			0.5			(3.8		)
	Miscellaneous other (income) expense items, net	(0.3		)	(0.5		)	1
	Other (income) expense, net	$	(13.0	)	$	(12.8	)	$	(21.9	)

11_Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Info1

11. Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	11. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
	The reconciliation of net income including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities is as follows (in millions):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013				2012
	Net income including noncontrolling interests	$	88.8		$	77.8			$	165.5
	Adjustments to reconcile net income including
	noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities (net of effects of
	acquisitions):
	Depreciation and amortization	149.9			147.2				130.4
	Share-based compensation	14.9			13.7				13.2
	Losses (gains) on dispositions of securities	0.3			0.6				(7.6		)
	Losses (gains) on dispositions of fixed assets	0.4			0.5				(4.8		)
	Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(1.3		)	(2.7		)		(2.9		)
	Changes in fair value of contingent consideration	(1.4		)	(5.8		)		(16.1		)
	Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, net	11.1			(24.2		)		4.4
	Decrease (increase) in inventories, net	5.8			(39.7		)	(1)	(13.9		)	(1)
	Increase in other current assets	(5.7		)	(4.2		)		(5.6		)
	(Decrease) increase in accounts payable
	and other current liabilities	(9.9		)	33.2				19
	Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable	20.4			(38.0		)		(18.0		)
	Decrease in deferred income taxes	(6.3		)	(4.0		)		(10.3		)
	Write-off of goodwill	—			—				1
	Net increase/decrease in other long-term liabilities/assets	6.3			14.7				12.2
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	273.3		$	169.1		(1)	$	266.5		(1)
	Non-cash investing activities:
	Purchased intangible assets	$	0.2		$	12			$	0.5
	Purchased marketable securities and investments	$	—		$	0.4			$	1.6
	(1) Amounts revised, see Note 1 "Correction of Immaterial Errors"

14_Segment_Reporting_Tables

14. Segment Reporting (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Information regarding industry segments	Information regarding industry segments at December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 and for the years then ended is as follows (in millions):
				Life				Clinical				Other
				Science				Diagnostics				Operations
	Segment net sales	2014		$	728.3			$	1,432.30			$	14.4
		2013		710				1,408.00				14.7
		2012		688.4				1,365.50				15.3
	Allocated interest expense	2014		$	5.5			$	15.9			$	0.1
		2013		10.4				30.1				0.1
		2012		13.4				37.8				0.2
	Depreciation and amortization	2014		$	33.2			$	95.8			$	—
		2013		32.6				91.5				0.1
		2012		26.3				92.9				0.1
	Segment (loss) profit	2014		$	(14.7	)		$	167.1			$	1.2
		2013		(13.7		)		176.2				1.1
		2012		13.2				202.6				1.6
	Segment assets	2014		$	361.5			$	884.9			$	4.8
		2013		389.1				980.9				5.1
	Capital expenditures	2014		$	14.1			$	60.1			$	—
		2013		19.8				66.5			(1)	0.2
	(1) Amount revised, see Note 1 "Correction of Immaterial Errors"
Reconciliation of segment profit to consolidated income before taxes	The following reconciles total segment profit to consolidated income before taxes (in millions):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Total segment profit	$	153.6			$	163.6			$	217.4
	Foreign exchange losses	(9.3		)		(8.6		)		(5.0		)
	Net corporate operating, interest and other expense, net not allocated to segments	(25.7		)		(55.4		)		(4.4		)
	Other income (expense), net	13				12.8				21.9
	Consolidated income before taxes	$	131.6			$	112.4			$	229.9
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated	The following reconciles total segment assets to consolidated total assets (in millions):
			December 31,
			2014				2013
	Total segment assets		$	1,251.20			$	1,375.10
	Cash and other current assets		888.1				829.8			(1)
	Property, plant and equipment, net, excluding
	segment specific gross machinery and equipment		26.7				(14.9		)
	Goodwill, net		500.4				517.8
	Other long-term assets		674.9				681			(1)
	Total assets		$	3,341.30			$	3,388.80
	(1) Amounts revised, see Note 1 "Correction of Immaterial Errors"
Net sales and assets to external customers by geographic area	The following presents net sales to external customers by geographic region based primarily on the location of the use of the product or service (in millions):
			Year Ended December 31,
			2014				2013				2012
	Europe		$	901.7			$	886.1			$	837
	Pacific Rim		417.5				413.3				425.7
	United States		704.9				677.7				656.7
	Other (primarily Canada and Latin America)		150.9				155.6				149.8
	Total net sales		$	2,175.00			$	2,132.70			$	2,069.20
	The following presents Property, plant and equipment, net, Other investments and other assets, excluding deferred income taxes, by geographic region based upon the location of the asset (in millions):
			December 31,
			2014				2013			(1)
	Europe		$	194.5			$	210.5
	Pacific Rim		19				22.4
	United States		623.8				584.4
	Other (primarily Canada and Latin America)		12.1				12
	Total Property, plant and equipment, net, Other investments and other assets, excluding deferred income taxes		$	849.4			$	829.3
	(1) Amounts revised, see Note 1 "Correction of Immaterial Errors"

15_Quarterly_Financial_Data_Ta

15. Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data [Table Text Block]
		First		Second		Third			Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter			Quarter
	2014
	Net sales	$	509.3	$	536.8	$	530.6		$	598.2
	Gross profit	275.3		297.2		288.6			317.4
	Net income attributable to Bio-Rad	6.7		31.6		11.5			39
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.23	$	1.1	$	0.4		$	1.35
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.23	$	1.09	$	0.39		$	1.34
	2013
	Net sales	$	499.7	$	525.3	$	505.1		$	602.6
	Gross profit	271.4		300.1		284.2			322.7
	Net income (loss) attributable to Bio-Rad	20.2		34.6		(7.1		)	30.1
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	0.71	$	1.21	$	(0.25	)	$	1.05
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.7	$	1.2	$	(0.25	)	$	1.04

1_Significant_Accounting_Polic3

1. Significant Accounting Policies Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Minimum [Member] | Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Minimum [Member] | Reagent Rental Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	1 year
Minimum [Member] | Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Maximum [Member] | Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	12 years
Maximum [Member] | Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	30 years
Maximum [Member] | Reagent Rental Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	12 years

1_Significant_Accounting_Polic4

1. Significant Accounting Policies Warranty rollforward (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Warranty accrual, beginning of period	$15.60	$16.40
Provision for warranty	28.6	15.6
Actual warranty costs	-26.4	-16.4
Warranty accrual, end of period	$17.80	$15.60

1_Significant_Accounting_Polic5

1. Significant Accounting Policies Earnings per share (Details)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	28,876	28,586	28,290
Effect of potentially dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards	257	320	352
Diluted weighted average common shares	29,133	28,906	28,642
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation of diluted EPS	122	107	83

1_Significant_Accounting_Polic6

1. Significant Accounting Policies Noncontrolling Interests (Details)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 14, 2013	Feb. 14, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	USD ($)	DiaMed Spain [Member]	DiaMed Spain [Member]	DiaMed Spain [Member]
		USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred		$900,000	€ 600,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests	-1,007,000			-600,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Subsidiary Equity Issuance				($300,000)

1_Significant_Accounting_Polic7

1. Significant Accounting Policies Immaterial Error & Reclassifications (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	$428,836	$414,401
Inventory, Net	470,997	516,245
Other assets	52,097	55,082
Assets, Current	1,716,367	1,757,479
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	-190,511	919	-400,386
Prepaid expenses	108,348	130,637
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	273,312	169,136	266,480
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment	120,999	106,658	142,869
Payments to Suppliers and Employees	1,806,526	1,804,028	1,664,491
Scenario, Adjustment [Member] | Immaterial Error [Member]
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net		-15,000
Inventory, Net		15,000
Other assets		5,300
Assets, Current		9,600
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities		6,300	9,500
Prepaid expenses		-5,300
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities		-6,300	-9,500
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment		6,300	9,500
Payments to Suppliers and Employees		($6,300)	($9,500)

2_Acquisitions_Details

2. Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014	Jan. 10, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 10, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$13,500,000		$14,900,000
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	27,700,000		20,800,000		27,700,000
Goodwill	500,441,000		517,770,000		500,441,000						495,400,000
GnuBIO [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired												100.00%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred							50,400,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired							39,700,000
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments					-1,700,000
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired							46,400,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period							13,500,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	10,000,000				10,000,000							10,700,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High												70,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net												-9,500,000
AbD Serotec [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired								100.00%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred								62,200,000
Cash Acquired from Acquisition									7,300,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Purchase Accounting Adjustments										1,700,000
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments										-2,100,000
bio_NetAssetPurchaseAccountingAdjustment										400,000
Goodwill								14,900,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net								3,300,000
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired								44,000,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	$27,700,000	[1]	$20,800,000	[1]	$27,700,000	[1]
[1]	Contingent consideration liabilities are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):B DecemberB 31, 2014B DecemberB 31, 2013 Other current liabilities$13.1B $6.1Other long-term liabilities14.6B 14.7 Total$27.7B $20.8

3_Fair_Value_Measurements_Deta

3. Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	$27.70		$20.80
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	585.9	[1]	570.9	[1]
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Asset	0.6	[2]	0.6	[2]
Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value	609.2		592
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Liability	1.7	[3]	1.1	[3]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	27.7	[4]	20.8	[4]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	29.4		21.9
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	139.9	[1]	132.5	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	5.2	[1]	8.9	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	47.5	[1]	39.1	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	4	[1]	5.6	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Municipal Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	6.5	[1]	11	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	334.4	[1]	325.2	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	48.4	[1]	48.6	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign Time Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	16.5	[5]	11.1	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents			1.2	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	2.2	[5]	1.2	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	4	[5]	7	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	22.7	[5]	20.5	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	334.4	[1]	325.2	[1]
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Asset	0	[2]	0	[2]
Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value	353.1		337.5
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Liability	0	[3]	0	[3]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	0	[4]	0	[4]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Municipal Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	334.4	[1]	325.2	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Time Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	16.5	[5]	11.1	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents			0	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	2.2	[5]	1.2	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	[5]	0	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	18.7	[5]	12.3	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	251.5	[1]	245.7	[1]
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Asset	0.6	[2]	0.6	[2]
Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value	256.1		254.5
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Liability	1.7	[3]	1.1	[3]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	0	[4]	0	[4]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	1.7		1.1
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	139.9	[1]	132.5	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	5.2	[1]	8.9	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	47.5	[1]	39.1	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	4	[1]	5.6	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Municipal Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	6.5	[1]	11	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	48.4	[1]	48.6	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Time Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	[5]	0	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents			1.2	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	[5]	0	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	4	[5]	7	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	4	[5]	8.2	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Asset	0	[2]	0	[2]
Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value	0		0
Forward foreign exchange contracts, Liability	0	[3]	0	[3]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	27.7	[4]	20.8	[4]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	27.7		20.8
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Municipal Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Time Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	[5]	0	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents			0	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	[5]	0	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	[5]	0	[5]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	[5]	0	[5]
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	13.1		6.1
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	284.4		277.4
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	139.9		132.5
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	5.2		8.9
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	47.5		39.1
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	4		5.6
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Municipal Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	6.5		11
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	33.3		32
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	48		48.3
Other Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments	301.5		293.5
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	$14.60		$14.70
[1]	Available-for-sale investments are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):B DecemberB 31, 2014B DecemberB 31, 2013 Short-term investments$284.4B $277.4Other investments301.5B 293.5Total$585.9B $570.9
[2]	Forward foreign exchange contracts in an asset position are included in Other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[3]	Forward foreign exchange contracts in a liability position are included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[4]	Contingent consideration liabilities are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):B DecemberB 31, 2014B DecemberB 31, 2013 Other current liabilities$13.1B $6.1Other long-term liabilities14.6B 14.7 Total$27.7B $20.8
[5]	Cash equivalents are included in Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

3_Fair_Value_Measurements_Fore

3. Fair Value Measurements Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Unrealized loss on contracts maturing in January through March 2015 to sell foreign currency	$1
Unrealized loss on contracts maturing in January through March 2015 to purchase foreign currency	0.2
Forward foreign exchange contract to purchase foreign currency [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	285.8
Forward foreign exchange contract to sell foreign currency [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$81.10

3_Fair_Value_Measurements_Shor

3. Fair Value Measurements Short-term Investments (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$334.90		$327.20
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	251.6		244.6
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0.6		0.9
Estimated Fair Value	585.9	[1]	570.9	[1]
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	139.9	[1]	132.5	[1]
Foreign Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	5.2	[1]	8.9	[1]
Municipal Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	6.5	[1]	11	[1]
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	48.4	[1]	48.6	[1]
Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	334.4	[1]	325.2	[1]
US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	47.5	[1]	39.1	[1]
Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	4	[1]	5.6	[1]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	284.4		277.4
Short-term Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	139.7		132.6
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0.4		0.3
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0.2		0.4
Estimated Fair Value	139.9		132.5
Short-term Investments [Member] | Foreign Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	5.2		8.9
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0		0
Estimated Fair Value	5.2		8.9
Short-term Investments [Member] | Municipal Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	6.5		11.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0		0.1
Estimated Fair Value	6.5		11
Short-term Investments [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	48.2		48.4
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0.2		0.2
Estimated Fair Value	48		48.3
Short-term Investments [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	29		26.6
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	4.5		5.4
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0.2		0
Estimated Fair Value	33.3		32
Short-term Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	280		272.3
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	5		5.9
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0.6		0.8
Estimated Fair Value	284.4		277.4
Short-term Investments [Member] | US Government Sponsored Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	47.4		39.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0.1		0.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0		0.1
Estimated Fair Value	47.5		39.1
Short-term Investments [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	4		5.6
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0		0
Estimated Fair Value	4		5.6
Other Long-term Investments [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	0.4		0.4
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0		0.1
Estimated Fair Value	0.4		0.3
Other Long-term Investments [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	54.5		54.5
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	246.6		238.7
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0		0
Estimated Fair Value	301.1		293.2
Other Long-term Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	54.9		54.9
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	246.6		238.7
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0		0.1
Estimated Fair Value	$301.50		$293.50
[1]	Available-for-sale investments are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):B DecemberB 31, 2014B DecemberB 31, 2013 Short-term investments$284.4B $277.4Other investments301.5B 293.5Total$585.9B $570.9

3_Fair_Value_Measurements_Amor

3. Fair Value Measurements Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Debt Securities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Mature in less than one year	$110.70
Mature in one to five years	99.9
Mature in more than five years	40.8
Total Amortized Cost	251.4
Mature in less than one year	110.7
Mature in one to five years	99.9
Mature in more than five years	40.9
Estimated Fair Value	$251.50

3_Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair

3. Fair Value Measurements Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Losses with Unrealized Losses (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Tolerable variance Level 2 debt security pricing	1.00%
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	$8.40	$2.30
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	90.7	73.9
Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position 12 months or more	0.2	0.1
Gross unrealized losses for investments in a loss position less than 12 months	$0.40	$0.80
Cost Method Investment, Percentage Owned	35.00%

3_Fair_Value_Investments_Detai

3. Fair Value Investments (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other Investments	$82.60	$77.50
Total long-term debt, excluding leases and current maturities	423.5	423.2
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other Investments	401.1	382.9
Total long-term debt, excluding leases and current maturities	$454.90	$433

3_Fair_Value_Measurements_Cont

3. Fair Value Measurements Contingent Consideration (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Apr. 10, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Additional performance period	4 months
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability	($1.40)	($5.80)	($16.10)
CellSorter [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	17.7			44.6
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Settlements	2.4
Net decrease in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in selling, general and administrative expense	-0.7
GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	10				10.7
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High					70
Net decrease in estimated fair value of contingent consideration included in selling, general and administrative expense	-0.7
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Issuances	$10.70
Credit Adjusted Discount Rates Lower [Member] | CellSorter [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Range of Outcomes, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Significant Inputs	0.0062
Sales milestone percentage of annual invoices [Member] | CellSorter [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, Potential Percentage Payout	40.00%
Projected Volatility of Growth Rates Lower [Member] | CellSorter [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Range of Outcomes, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Significant Inputs	0.1
Market Price of Risk [Member] | CellSorter [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Range of Outcomes, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Significant Inputs	0.0175
Probability Lower [Member] | GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Range of Outcomes, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Significant Inputs	0.5
Probability Higher [Member] | GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Range of Outcomes, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Significant Inputs	0.75
Discount Rate Lower [Member] | GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Range of Outcomes, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Significant Inputs	0.0034
Discount Rate Higher [Member] | GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Range of Outcomes, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Significant Inputs	0.0048
probability lower1 [Member] | GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Range of Outcomes, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Significant Inputs	0
Discount Rate Lower 1 [Member] | GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Range of Outcomes, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Significant Inputs	0.0092
Discount Rate Higher 1 [Member] | GnuBIO [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Range of Outcomes, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Significant Inputs	0.0204
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Sales milestone percentage of annual invoices [Member] | CellSorter [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, Potential Percentage Payout						39.00%

4_Goodwill_and_other_Purchased

4. Goodwill and other Purchased Intangible Assets Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill period start	$546,000,000	$523,600,000
Accumulated impairment loss period start	-28,200,000	-28,200,000
Goodwill, net period start	517,770,000	495,400,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	13,500,000	14,900,000
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0	0	-1,000,000
Currency fluctuations	-30,900,000	7,500,000
Goodwill period end	528,600,000	546,000,000	523,600,000	523,600,000
Accumulated impairment loss period end	-28,200,000	-28,200,000	-28,200,000	-28,200,000
Goodwill, net period end	500,441,000	517,770,000	495,400,000	495,400,000
Life Science [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill period start	209,000,000	193,600,000
Accumulated impairment loss period start	-27,200,000	-27,200,000
Goodwill, net period start	181,800,000	166,400,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0	14,900,000
Currency fluctuations	-1,300,000	500,000
Goodwill period end	207,700,000	209,000,000
Accumulated impairment loss period end	-27,200,000	-27,200,000
Goodwill, net period end	180,500,000	181,800,000
Clinical Diagnostics [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill period start	337,000,000	330,000,000
Accumulated impairment loss period start	-1,000,000	-1,000,000
Goodwill, net period start	336,000,000	329,000,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	13,500,000	0
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit				-1,000,000
Currency fluctuations	-29,600,000	7,000,000
Goodwill period end	320,900,000	337,000,000	330,000,000	330,000,000
Accumulated impairment loss period end	-1,000,000	-1,000,000	-1,000,000	-1,000,000
Goodwill, net period end	$319,900,000	$336,000,000	$329,000,000	$329,000,000

4_Goodwill_and_other_Purchased1

4. Goodwill and other Purchased Intangible Assets Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 10, 2013
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	$6,400,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	13,500,000	14,900,000
Goodwill, net	500,441,000	517,770,000	495,400,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	425,900,000	458,600,000
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	472,300,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year One	38,400,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization	-218,100,000	-192,400,000
Net Carrying Amount	207,800,000
Amortization [Abstract]
Amortization expense	47,800,000	45,000,000	42,800,000
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	46,400,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two	35,500,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three	26,900,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four	23,500,000
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five	20,500,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five	74,400,000
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	254,228,000	266,188,000
Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	89,400,000	99,800,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization	-43,000,000	-41,100,000
Net Carrying Amount	46,400,000	58,700,000
Know how [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	184,700,000	194,600,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization	-102,500,000	-89,300,000
Net Carrying Amount	82,200,000	105,300,000
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	103,900,000	109,500,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization	-42,800,000	-36,200,000
Net Carrying Amount	61,100,000	73,300,000
Licensing Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	39,400,000	44,900,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization	-26,500,000	-22,400,000
Net Carrying Amount	12,900,000	22,500,000
Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	3,600,000	4,300,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization	-2,100,000	-2,100,000
Net Carrying Amount	1,500,000	2,200,000
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	4,900,000	4,900,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization	-1,200,000	-700,000
Net Carrying Amount	3,700,000	4,200,000
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross		600,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization		-600,000
Net Carrying Amount		0
AbD Serotec [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired				100.00%
Goodwill, net				14,900,000
Amortization [Abstract]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired				44,000,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life				13 years 8 months
AbD Serotec [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Amortization [Abstract]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired				1,300,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life				12 years
AbD Serotec [Member] | Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Amortization [Abstract]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired				33,000,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life				13 years 11 months
AbD Serotec [Member] | Licensing Agreements [Member]
Amortization [Abstract]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired				8,800,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life				13 years
AbD Serotec [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Amortization [Abstract]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired				400,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life				2 years
AbD Serotec [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Amortization [Abstract]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired				500,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life				1 year
Clinical Diagnostics [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	13,500,000	0
Goodwill, net	319,900,000	336,000,000	329,000,000
Minimum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period	1 year	1 year
Minimum [Member] | Know how [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period	2 years	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period	1 year	1 year
Minimum [Member] | Licensing Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period	1 year	1 year
Minimum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period	1 year	1 year
Minimum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period	5 years	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period	0 years	0 years
Maximum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period	11 years	11 years
Maximum [Member] | Know how [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period	12 years	12 years
Maximum [Member] | Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period	13 years	13 years
Maximum [Member] | Licensing Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period	12 years	12 years
Maximum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period	9 years	9 years
Maximum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period	9 years	9 years
Maximum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period	0 years	0 years
Cost of Goods, Product Line [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	5,800,000
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived	$600,000

5_Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_D2

5. Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	31-May-09	Dec. 31, 2010
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations			$436,000,000	$435,800,000
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal Remainder of Fiscal Year			300,000	200,000
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations			435,710,000	435,615,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					8.00%
Early repayment of Subordinated Notes	312,000,000
Redemption Premium	12,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	2,500,000	2,500,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	1,100,000	1,100,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt		-15,600,000		-15,600,000
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months			300,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two			300,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three			300,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four			300,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five			200,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five			436,200,000
Number of Bio-Rad guaranteed international lines of credit			23	eight
Foreign Line of Credit [Member]
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			40,900,000	20,100,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity			38,300,000	15,800,000
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End			1.40%	3.00%
Subordinated Debt [Member] | Senior Subordinated Notes 8.0% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt					294,800,000
Face amount of debt sold					300,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Notes 4.875% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt			423,500,000	423,200,000		422,600,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage						4.95%
Face amount of debt sold						425,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						4.88%
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Capital leases and other debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Including Current Maturities			12,500,000	12,600,000
Line of Credit [Member]
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			200,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding			0
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End			1.50%
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$5,000,000

6_Income_Taxes_Details

6. Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]
U.S.	$30,600,000	$5,700,000	$110,600,000
International	101,000,000	106,700,000	119,300,000
Income before income taxes	131,557,000	112,385,000	229,907,000
U.S. Federal	9,600,000	-5,000,000	34,400,000
State	3,800,000	600,000	4,100,000
International	35,600,000	38,300,000	37,300,000
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	49,000,000	33,900,000	75,800,000
U.S. Federal	1,500,000	4,800,000	-3,100,000
State	-200,000	-100,000	-900,000
International	-7,300,000	-9,400,000	-6,300,000
Deferred tax benefit	-6,000,000	-4,700,000	-10,300,000
Non-current tax expense (benefit)	-300,000	5,400,000	-1,100,000
Provision for income taxes	42,712,000	34,574,000	64,361,000
U.S. statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Impact of foreign operations	-4.00%	-6.00%	-3.00%
Research tax credits	-3.00%	-6.00%	0.00%
Nontaxable subsidies	-2.00%	-2.00%	-1.00%
Tax settlements and changes to unrecognized tax benefits	-1.00%	5.00%	0.00%
Fines and penalties	3.00%	1.00%	0.00%
Contingent consideration	0.00%	-1.00%	-2.00%
Other	4.00%	5.00%	-1.00%
Provision for income taxes	32.00%	31.00%	28.00%
Bad debt, inventory and warranty accruals	25,300,000	27,500,000
Legal reserves	2,000,000	12,000,000
Other post-employment benefits, vacation and other reserves	23,600,000	22,200,000
Tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards	60,500,000	62,300,000
Other	28,400,000	19,000,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	139,800,000	143,000,000
Valuation allowance	-58,600,000	-64,000,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	81,200,000	79,000,000
Property and equipment	12,900,000	17,200,000
Investments and intangible assets	158,200,000	147,000,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities	171,100,000	164,200,000
Net deferred tax liabilities	-89,900,000	-85,200,000
Unrecognized tax benefits period start	16,200,000	12,600,000	11,300,000
Additions to tax positions related to prior years	1,700,000	4,700,000	1,300,000
Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	-1,500,000	-800,000	-800,000
Additions to tax positions related to the current year	1,600,000	2,000,000	1,600,000
Settlements	-400,000	-300,000	0
Lapse of statute of limitations	-2,600,000	-1,700,000	-3,000,000
Acquisitions	0	0	2,200,000
Currency translation	800,000	-300,000	0
Unrecognized tax benefits period end	14,200,000	16,200,000	12,600,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	3,800,000	3,400,000	1,900,000
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	6,800,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Undistributed Foreign Earnings	512,000,000
Deferred Tax Liability Not Recognized, Cumulative Amount of Temporary Difference	106,000,000
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforward, Valuation Allowance	23,600,000
Operating Loss Carryforward With No Expiration Date	105,600,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards	106,800,000
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	10,000,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	53,000,000
Research Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] | Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	5,300,000
Research Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Research	20,200,000
Limitations On Use | Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	1,900,000
QuantaLife [Member] | Research Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Research	$2,000,000

7_Stockholders_Equity_Details

7. Stockholders' Equity (Details)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011
Common Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares, Issued	23,972,000	23,681,000	23,333,000		23,020,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities	5,000	80,000	59,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	286,000	269,000	253,000
Common Stock, Voting Rights	0.1
Election Percentage for Board of Directors	25.00%
Common Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares, Issued	5,099,000	5,097,000	5,150,000		5,165,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities	-5,000	-80,000	-59,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	7,000	27,000	44,000
Common Stock, Voting Rights	1
Election Percentage for Board of Directors	75.00%
Treasury Class-A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired				122
Treasury Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired				917

7_Stockholders_Equity_Treasury

7. Stockholders' Equity Treasury Shares (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	18
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	3.3
Treasury Class-A [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares	122	122
Treasury Class B [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares	917	917

8_Accumulated_Other_Comprehens3

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$218,945,000	$340,717,000	$274,300,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	-121,100,000	94,300,000
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	-500,000	1,000,000
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	-121,772,000	66,349,000	75,863,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	71,200,000	189,400,000	172,900,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	-117,000,000	16,700,000
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	-1,200,000	-200,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	0	0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	-118,200,000	16,500,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-16,300,000	-8,100,000	-8,100,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	-11,400,000	-700,000
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	700,000	700,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	2,500,000	0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	-8,200,000	0
Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	164,000,000	159,400,000	109,700,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	7,300,000	78,300,000
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	300,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	-2,700,000	-28,900,000
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	4,600,000	49,700,000
Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	218,900,000	340,700,000	274,500,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	-121,100,000	94,300,000
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	-500,000	800,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	-200,000	-28,900,000
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	-121,800,000	66,200,000
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0	-200,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	0	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	200,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	200,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	218,900,000	340,700,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	-200,000	-28,900,000
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	($121,800,000)	$66,400,000

8_Accumulated_Other_Comprehens4

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold	$996,527	$954,216	$914,077
Selling, general and administrative expense	-808,200	-798,070	-681,778
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	13,009	12,766	21,883
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold	1,200	200
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expense	700	700
Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	$0	($300)

9_Sharebased_Compensation_Deta

9. Share-based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$2,100,000	$2,200,000	$2,300,000
Share-based Compensation Expense	14,900,000	13,700,000	13,200,000
2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Authorized	600,000
Stock Option and Award Plans [Member] | Incentive Award Plan (2007) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Authorized	2,250,360
Number of Shares Available for Grant	957,053
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Granted Term	P10Y
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) - Outstanding	4 years 4 months 24 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions) - Outstanding	21
Options - Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$84.50	$78.72	$70.83	$63.50
Options Granted - Weighted Average Exercise Price	$119.71	$117.67	$107.32
Options Exercised - Weighted Average Exercise Price	$63.66	$54.16	$44.66
Options Forfeitured/expired - Weighted Average Exercise Price	$100.29	$91.32	$87.78
Options - Shares Vested and Expected to Vest	565,246
Options Vested and Expected to Vest - Weighted Average Exercise Price	$83.61
Options Vested and Expected to Vest - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	4 years 3 months 11 days
Options Vested and Expected to Vest - Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)	20.9
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Options Exercisable	$74.62
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) - Exercisable	2 years 11 months 16 days
Options Exercisable Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)	19.7
Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	5,000,000	11,000,000	11,000,000
Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options	5,800,000	4,100,000	3,400,000
Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options	5,300,000	6,600,000	6,500,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost from stock options	6,200,000
Options Number Exercisable	428,726
Options Vesting Period	5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	20.00%
Weighted average fair value of options granted, period for recognition	3 years
Expected Volatility	25.00%	28.00%	30.00%
Risk Free Interest Rate	2.35%	2.65%	1.53%
Expected life (in years)	8 years 8 months 12 days	8 years 10 months 24 days	9 years
Expected dividend	0	0	0
Weighted average fair value of options granted	$43.96	$47.25	$41.82
Expected dividend yield	0.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding beginning of period	629,643	747,293	888,750
Options - Shares Granted	54,000	55,050	55,250
Options - Shares Exercised	-91,387	-159,450	-181,707
Options - Shares Forfeitures/expired	-10,450	-13,250	-15,000
Outstanding end of period	581,806	629,643	747,293
Employee Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Available for Grant	286,360
Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options	10,200,000	10,000,000	9,200,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	102,222	103,669	107,749
Employee Contribution Rate - Maximum	10.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Employee Contribution Amount	25,000
Employee Purchase Price Discount from Market Price	85.00%
Expected Volatility	15.00%	19.00%	27.00%
Risk Free Interest Rate	0.04%	0.05%	0.07%
Expected life (in years)	3 months	3 months	3 months
Expected dividend	$0	$0	$0
Expected dividend yield	0.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Per Share Weighted Average Price of Shares Purchased	$21.88	$21.76	$20.70
Stock Award Plans [Member] | Incentive Award Plan (2007) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Vesting Period	5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage	20.00%

9_Sharebased_Compensation_Rest

9. Share-based Compensation Restricted Stock (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$10.60	$9.60	$8.50
Total unrecognized compensation cost from restricted stock	$33.90
Nonvested shares - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$105.44	$96.15	$87.81	$112.60
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Outstanding beginning of period	375,430	361,458	338,991
Restricted Stock Units Granted	145,695	144,445	138,840
Restricted Stock Units - Vested	-107,557	-104,883	-100,590
Restricted Stock Units - Forfeited	-36,203	-25,590	-15,783
Outstanding end of period	377,365	375,430	361,458
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Granted	$119.56	$117.09	$107.32
Restricted Stock Units Vested - Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$98.52	$91.76	$84.64
Resticted Stock Units Cancelled/forfeited - Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$108.17	$95.97	$88.81
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	3 years 6 months 15 days
Resticted Stock Units Outstanding Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)	$45.50
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	4 years

10_Other_Income_and_Expenses_D

10. Other Income and Expenses (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment	($400,000)	($500,000)	$4,800,000
Interest and investment income	-13,500,000	-13,400,000	-11,400,000
Net realized losses (gains) on investments	0	300,000	-8,700,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments	400,000	300,000	1,000,000
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	-400,000	-500,000	3,800,000
Miscellaneous Other (Income) Expense Items, Net	-300,000	-500,000	1,000,000
Other (income) expense, net	13,009,000	12,766,000	21,883,000
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0	0	1,000,000
Clinical Diagnostics [Member]
Consideration for sale of building				6,400,000
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment				4,300,000
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit				$1,000,000

11_Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Info2

11. Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Significant Noncash Transactions [Line Items]
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$88,845,000	$77,811,000	$165,546,000
Depreciation and amortization	149,900,000	147,200,000	130,400,000
Share-based compensation	14,900,000	13,700,000	13,200,000
Loss (gain) on disposition of securities	300,000	600,000	-7,600,000
Loss (gain) on disposition of property, plant and equipment	400,000	500,000	-4,800,000
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	-1,349,000	-2,720,000	-2,889,000
Changes in fair value of contingent consideration	-1,400,000	-5,800,000	-16,100,000
Decrease (increase) in Accounts Receivable, net	11,100,000	-24,200,000	4,400,000
Decrease (increase) in inventories, net	5,800,000	-39,700,000	-13,900,000
Increase in Other Current Assets	-5,700,000	-4,200,000	-5,600,000
(Decrease) increase in Accounts Payable and Other Current Liabilities	-9,900,000	33,200,000	19,000,000
Increase (decrease) in Income Taxes Payable	20,400,000	-38,000,000	-18,000,000
Decrease in deferred income taxes	-6,300,000	-4,000,000	-10,300,000
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0	0	1,000,000
Net increase/decrease in other long-term liabilities/assets	6,300,000	14,700,000	12,200,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	273,312,000	169,136,000	266,480,000
Noncash purchased intangible assets	200,000	12,000,000	500,000
Noncash Purchased Marketable Securities and Investments	$0	$400,000	$1,600,000

12_Commitments_Contingent_Liab1

12. Commitments & Contingent Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Jan. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 10, 2014	Oct. 04, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2016
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	$27.70			$20.80
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Operating leases, due next twelve months	39.3
Operating leases, due in two years	33.6
Operating leases, due in three years	25.7
Operating leases, due in four years	18.5
Operating leases, due thereafter	36.7
Post-Employment Benefits Liability	46.1			46.3
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	110.5
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due in Next Twelve Months	18.4
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due in Second Year	11.7
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due in Third Year	10.7
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due in Fourth Year	3.4
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due in Fifth Year	2.4
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation Due after Fifth Year	63.9
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	36.3
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due in Twelve Months	17.6
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within Two Years	4.3
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within Three Years	2.6
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within Four Years	3.4
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within Five Years	5.3
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due after Five Years	3.1
Letters of Credit Outstanding Amount	7.6
Employees Covered By Collective Bargaining Agreements U.S., Percentage	8.00%
GnuBIO [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0.7
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	10						10.7
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High							70
QuantaLife [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Settlements			6
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability								24.1
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High								48
CellSorter [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Settlements	2.4
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0.7
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	17.7								44.6
UNITED STATES
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Entity Number of Employees	3,100
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value	27.7	[1]		20.8	[1]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | QuantaLife [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings				$2		$16.10
Sales milestone percentage of annual invoices [Member] | CellSorter [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, Potential Percentage Payout	40.00%
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Sales milestone percentage of annual invoices [Member] | CellSorter [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, Potential Percentage Payout										39.00%
[1]	Contingent consideration liabilities are included in the following accounts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions):B DecemberB 31, 2014B DecemberB 31, 2013 Other current liabilities$13.1B $6.1Other long-term liabilities14.6B 14.7 Total$27.7B $20.8

12_Commitments_Contingent_Liab2

12. Commitments & Contingent Liabilities Period Expense (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net	$46.90	$45.50	$41.40
Contribution expense	$13.70	$13.50	$12.10

13_Legal_Proceedings_Legal_Pro

13. Legal Proceedings Legal Proceedings (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Paid, Value	$40,700,000
Accrued legal settlements	0	30,000,000
Litigation Settlement, Expense	20,100,000
Unfavorable Regulatory Action [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Paid, Value	35,100,000
Interest paid [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Paid, Value	5,600,000
NPA and SEC Order [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Paid, Value	55,100,000
Judicial Ruling [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Paid, Value	14,400,000
Disgorgement and interest [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrued legal settlements		$35,000,000

14_Segment_Reporting_Details

14. Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number Of Products And Services									8,000
Net sales	$598,200,000	$530,600,000	$536,800,000	$509,300,000	$602,600,000	$505,100,000	$525,300,000	$499,700,000	$2,175,044,000	$2,132,694,000	$2,069,235,000
Interest expense									22,131,000	61,271,000	51,112,000
Depreciation and amortization									149,900,000	147,200,000	130,400,000
Segment profit									149,984,000	169,456,000	264,176,000
Total assets	3,341,278,000				3,388,790,000				3,341,278,000	3,388,790,000
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment									120,999,000	106,658,000	142,869,000
Life Science [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									728,300,000	710,000,000	688,400,000
Interest expense									5,500,000	10,400,000	13,400,000
Depreciation and amortization									33,200,000	32,600,000	26,300,000
Segment profit									-14,700,000	-13,700,000	13,200,000
Total assets	361,500,000				389,100,000				361,500,000	389,100,000
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment									14,100,000	19,800,000
Clinical Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									1,432,300,000	1,408,000,000	1,365,500,000
Interest expense									15,900,000	30,100,000	37,800,000
Depreciation and amortization									95,800,000	91,500,000	92,900,000
Segment profit									167,100,000	176,200,000	202,600,000
Total assets	884,900,000				980,900,000				884,900,000	980,900,000
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment									60,100,000	66,500,000
All Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									14,400,000	14,700,000	15,300,000
Interest expense									100,000	100,000	200,000
Depreciation and amortization									0	100,000	100,000
Segment profit									1,200,000	1,100,000	1,600,000
Total assets	4,800,000				5,100,000				4,800,000	5,100,000
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment									$0	$200,000

14_Segment_Information_Segment

14. Segment Information Segment Profit Reconciliation (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	31-May-09
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes		($131,557,000)	($112,385,000)	($229,907,000)
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	-15,600,000		-15,600,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					8.00%
NonAllocated Expense Loss Contingency [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes		20,100,000	35,000,000
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes		-153,600,000	-163,600,000	-217,400,000
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes		9,300,000	8,600,000	5,000,000
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes		25,700,000	55,400,000	4,400,000
Other Income and Expense Non Operating [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income before income taxes		($13,000,000)	($12,800,000)	($21,900,000)

14_Segment_Information_Segment1

14. Segment Information Segment Asset Reconciliation (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	$3,341,278	$3,388,790
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	674,900	681,000
Goodwill [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	500,400	517,800
Property, Plant and Equipment excluding segment specific [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	26,700	-14,900
Other Current Assets [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	888,100	829,800
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total assets	$1,251,200	$1,375,100

14_Segment_Information_Segment2

14. Segment Information Segment Information by Geographical Location (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$598,200,000	$530,600,000	$536,800,000	$509,300,000	$602,600,000	$505,100,000	$525,300,000	$499,700,000	$2,175,044,000	$2,132,694,000	$2,069,235,000
Other assets and property, plant and equipment, net	849,400,000				829,300,000				849,400,000	829,300,000
Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									901,700,000	886,100,000	837,000,000
Other assets and property, plant and equipment, net	194,500,000				210,500,000				194,500,000	210,500,000
Pacific Rim [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									417,500,000	413,300,000	425,700,000
Other assets and property, plant and equipment, net	19,000,000				22,400,000				19,000,000	22,400,000
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									704,900,000	677,700,000	656,700,000
Other assets and property, plant and equipment, net	623,800,000				584,400,000				623,800,000	584,400,000
Other (primarily Canada and Latin America) [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									150,900,000	155,600,000	149,800,000
Other assets and property, plant and equipment, net	$12,100,000				$12,000,000				$12,100,000	$12,000,000

15_Quarterly_Financial_Data_De

15. Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Net sales	$598,200	$530,600	$536,800	$509,300	$602,600	$505,100	$525,300	$499,700	$2,175,044	$2,132,694	$2,069,235
Gross profit	317,400	288,600	297,200	275,300	322,700	284,200	300,100	271,400	1,178,517	1,178,478	1,155,158
Net income attributable to Bio-Rad	$39,000	$11,500	$31,600	$6,700	$30,100	($7,100)	$34,600	$20,200	$88,845	$77,790	$165,477
Basic earnings per share	$1.35	$0.40	$1.10	$0.23	$1.05	($0.25)	$1.21	$0.71	$3.08	$2.72	$5.85
Diluted earnings per share	$1.34	$0.39	$1.09	$0.23	$1.04	($0.25)	$1.20	$0.70	$3.05	$2.69	$5.78

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accoutns (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance Period Start	$64,011		$52,856		$48,926
Additions Charged (Credited) to Costs and Expenses	-5,396		11,155		3,700
Deductions	0		0		0
Other	0	[1]	0	[1]	230	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance Period End	58,615		64,011		52,856
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance Period Start	32,471		29,202		33,259
Additions Charged (Credited) to Costs and Expenses	7,164		9,181		7,597
Deductions	-11,662		-5,912		-11,654
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance Period End	$27,973		$32,471		$29,202
[1]	Due to acquisitions.