STERIS plc (STE) FY 2023 MD&A

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION

In Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”), we explain the general financial condition and the results of operations for STERIS and its subsidiaries including:

•what factors affect our business;

•what our earnings and costs were;

•why those earnings and costs were different from the year before;

•where our earnings came from;

•how this affects our overall financial condition;

•what our expenditures for capital projects were; and

•where cash is expected to come from to fund future debt principal repayments, growth outside of core operations, repurchase ordinary shares, pay cash dividends and fund future working capital needs.

The MD&A also analyzes and explains the annual changes in the specific line items in the Consolidated Statements of Income. As you read the MD&A, it may be helpful to refer to information in Item 1, "Business," Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," and Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Commitments and Contingencies" for a discussion of some of the matters that can adversely affect our business and results of operations. This information, discussion, and disclosure may be important to you in making decisions about your investments in STERIS.

FINANCIAL MEASURES

In the following sections of the MD&A, we may, at times, refer to financial measures that are not required to be presented in the consolidated financial statements under U.S. GAAP. We sometimes use the following financial measures in the context of this report: backlog; debt-to-total capital; and days sales outstanding. We define these financial measures as follows:

•Backlog – We define backlog as the amount of unfilled capital equipment purchase orders at a point in time. We use this figure as a measure to assist in the projection of short-term financial results and inventory requirements.

•Debt-to-total capital – We define debt-to-total capital as total debt divided by the sum of total debt and shareholders’ equity. We use this figure as a financial liquidity measure to gauge our ability to borrow and fund growth.

•Days sales outstanding (“DSO”) – We define DSO as the average collection period for accounts receivable. It is calculated as net accounts receivable divided by the trailing four quarters’ revenues, multiplied by 365 days. We use this figure to help gauge the quality of accounts receivable and expected time to collect.

We, at times, may also refer to financial measures which are considered to be “non-GAAP financial measures” under SEC rules. We have presented these financial measures because we believe that meaningful analysis of our financial performance is enhanced by an understanding of certain additional factors underlying that performance. These financial measures should not be considered an alternative to measures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our calculations of these measures may differ from calculations of similar measures used by other companies and you should be careful when comparing these financial measures to those of other companies. Additional information regarding these financial measures, including reconciliations of each non-GAAP financial measure, is available in the subsection of MD&A titled, "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

28

Table of Contents

REVENUES– DEFINED

As required by Regulation S-X, we separately present revenues generated as either product revenues or service revenues on our Consolidated Statements of Income for each period presented. When we discuss revenues, we may, at times, refer to revenues summarized differently than the Regulation S-X requirements. The terminology, definitions, and applications of terms that we use to describe revenues may be different from terms used by other companies. We use the following terms to describe revenues:

•Revenues – Our revenues are presented net of sales returns and allowances.

•Product Revenues – We define product revenues as revenues generated from sales of consumable and capital equipment products.

•Service Revenues – We define service revenues as revenues generated from parts and labor associated with the maintenance, repair, and installation of our capital equipment. Service revenues also include outsourced reprocessing services and instrument and scope repairs, as well as revenues generated from contract sterilization and laboratory services offered through our Applied Sterilization Technologies segment.

•Capital Equipment Revenues – We define capital equipment revenues as revenues generated from sales of capital equipment, which includes: steam and gas sterilizers, low temperature liquid chemical sterilant processing systems, pure steam/water systems, surgical lights and tables, and integrated OR.

•Consumable Revenues – We define consumable revenues as revenues generated from sales of the consumable family of products, which includes dedicated consumables including V-PRO, SYSTEM 1 and 1E consumables, gastrointestinal endoscopy accessories, sterility assurance products, barrier protection solutions, cleaning consumables, dental and surgical instruments.

•Recurring Revenues – We define recurring revenues as revenues generated from sales of consumable products and service revenues.

GENERAL OVERVIEW AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

STERIS is a leading global provider of products and services that support patient care with an emphasis on infection prevention. WE HELP OUR CUSTOMERS CREATE A HEALTHIER AND SAFER WORLD by providing innovative healthcare, life sciences and dental products and services. We offer our Customers a unique mix of innovative consumable products, such as detergents, endoscopy accessories, barrier products, and other products and services, including: equipment installation and maintenance, microbial reduction of medical devices, dental instruments and tools, instrument and scope repair, laboratory testing services, outsourced reprocessing, and capital equipment products, such as sterilizers and surgical tables, automated endoscope reprocessors, and connectivity solutions such as operating room (“OR”) integration.

We operate and report our financial information in four reportable business segments: Healthcare, Applied Sterilization Technologies, Life Sciences and Dental. Non-allocated operating costs that support the entire Company and items not indicative of operating trends are excluded from segment operating income. We describe our business segments in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Business Segment Information."

The bulk of our revenues are derived from the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Much of the growth in these industries is driven by the aging of the population throughout the world, as an increasing number of individuals are entering their prime healthcare consumption years, and is dependent upon advancement in healthcare delivery, acceptance of new technologies, government policies, and general economic conditions. The pharmaceutical industry has been impacted by increased regulatory scrutiny of cleaning and validation processes, mandating that manufacturers improve their processes. Within healthcare, there is increased concern regarding the level of hospital acquired infections around the world; increased demand for medical procedures, including preventive screenings such as endoscopies and colonoscopies; and a desire by our Customers to operate more efficiently, all which are driving increased demand for many of our products and services.

Acquisitions. During fiscal 2023, we completed several tuck-in acquisitions which expanded our product and service offerings in the Applied Sterilization Technologies and Healthcare segments. Total aggregate consideration was approximately $49.8 million, including potential contingent consideration of $7.3 million.

On June 2, 2021, we acquired all outstanding equity interests in Cantel Medical LLC ("Cantel") through a U.S. subsidiary. Cantel, formerly headquartered in Little Falls, New Jersey, with approximately 3,700 employees, is a global provider of infection prevention products and services primarily to endoscopy and dental Customers. The total consideration for Cantel Common Stock and stock equivalents was $3.6 billion.

We believe that the acquisition will strengthen STERIS’s leadership in infection prevention by bringing together two complementary businesses able to offer a broader set of Customers a more diversified selection of infection prevention, endoscopy and sterilization products and services. Cantel’s Dental business extended our business into a new Customer segment where there is an increasing focus on infection prevention protocols and processes. This business is reported as the Dental segment. The rest of Cantel was integrated into our existing Healthcare and Life Sciences segments. Additionally, the acquisition is expected to result in cost savings from optimizing global back-office infrastructure, leveraging best-demonstrated practices across locations and eliminating redundant public company costs.

29

Table of Contents

The results of Cantel are only reflected in the results of operations and cash flows from June 2, 2021 forward, which will affect results of comparability to the prior period operations and cash flows.

In addition to the acquisition of Cantel, we completed three other tuck-in acquisitions during fiscal 2022, which continued to expand our product and service offerings in the Healthcare segment. Total aggregate consideration for these transactions was approximately $3.1 million, net of cash acquired and including deferred consideration of $0.1 million.

Divestitures. In April 2022, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to sell certain assets of our Animal Health business to Veterinary Orthopedic Implants, LLC. We recorded net proceeds of $5.2 million and recognized a pre-tax loss on the sale of $4.9 million in the Selling, general, and administrative expenses line of the Consolidated Statements of Income. The business generated annual revenues of approximately $12.0 million.

In December 2021, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to sell our Renal Care business to Evoqua Water Technologies Corp. for cash consideration of approximately $196.0 million, subject to certain potential adjustments, including a customary working capital adjustment and contingent consideration of $12.3 million. We recognized a gain on the sale of $4.9 million. The transaction closed on January 3, 2022. We acquired the Renal Care business as part of the Cantel transaction, which closed on June 2, 2021, and had been integrated into STERIS's Healthcare segment. The Renal Care business generated annual revenues of approximately $180.0 million. The proceeds from the sale received at closing were used to repay outstanding debt. During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, we received an additional $1.4 million in working capital settlements related to the sale of this business.

For more information regarding our recent acquisitions and divestitures, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Business Acquisitions and Divestitures."

Highlights.  Revenues increased $372.8 million, or 8.1%, to $4,957.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $4,585.1 million for the year ended March 31, 2022. These increases reflect growth in the Healthcare, Applied Sterilization Technologies, Life Sciences, and Dental segments, partially offset by unfavorable fluctuations in currencies and divestiture activities.

Our gross profit percentage decreased to 43.6% for fiscal 2023 as compared to 44.0% for fiscal 2022. Unfavorable impacts from inflation and productivity were partially offset by favorable impacts from pricing, mix, divestiture activity and fluctuations in currency.

Fiscal 2023 operating income decreased 37.0% to $268.2 million, as compared to fiscal 2022 operating income of $425.6 million. This decline was primarily due to a one time goodwill impairment charge of $490.6 million offset by a decrease in acquisition and integration expenses, which were primarily related to our acquisition of Cantel, as well as an increase in amortization of purchased intangible assets.

Cash flows from operations were $756.9 million and free cash flow was $409.6 million in fiscal 2023 compared to cash flows from operations of $684.8 million and free cash flow of $399.0 million in fiscal 2022 (see subsection of MD&A titled, "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for additional information and related reconciliation of cash flows from operations to free cash flow). The fiscal 2023 increase in cash flows from operations was primarily from lower costs associated with the acquisition and integration of Cantel, partially offset by higher working capital, particularly inventory and accounts receivable. The increase in free cash flow was limited by increased capital spending.

Our debt-to-total capital ratio was 33.6% at March 31, 2023. During the year, we increased our quarterly dividend for the seventeenth consecutive year to $0.47 per share per quarter.

Outlook. In fiscal 2024 and beyond, we expect to manage our costs, grow our business with internal product and service development, invest in greater capacity, and augment these value creating methods with potential acquisitions of additional products and services. We anticipate continued supply chain and inflation pressures in fiscal 2024. Please refer to "Information With Respect to Our Business In General" in Item 1."Business" to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

30

Table of Contents

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

We, at times, refer to financial measures which are considered to be “non-GAAP financial measures” under SEC rules. We, at times, also refer to our results of operations excluding certain transactions or amounts that are non-recurring or are not indicative of future results, in order to provide meaningful comparisons between the periods presented.

These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be, and should not be, considered separately from or as an alternative to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

These non-GAAP financial measures are presented with the intent of providing greater transparency to supplemental financial information used by management and the Board of Directors in their financial analysis and operational decision-making. These amounts are disclosed so that the reader has the same financial data that management uses with the belief that it will assist investors and other readers in making comparisons to our historical operating results and analyzing the underlying performance of our operations for the periods presented.

We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered along with our GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation to the corresponding GAAP financial measures, provides the reader with a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business than could be obtained absent this disclosure. It is important for the reader to note that the non-GAAP financial measures used may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.

We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows less purchases of property, plant, equipment, and intangibles (capital expenditures) plus proceeds from the sale of property, plant, equipment, and intangibles, which are also presented within investing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We use this as a measure to gauge our ability to pay cash dividends, fund growth outside of core operations, fund future debt principal repayments, and repurchase shares.

The following table summarizes the calculation of our free cash flow for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

In the following subsections, we discuss our performance and the factors affecting it. We begin with a general overview of our operating results and then separately discuss earnings for our operating segments.

The discussion of and factors affecting our performance for the year ended March 31, 2022 compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 is included in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2022.

31

Table of Contents

FISCAL 2023 AS COMPARED TO FISCAL 2022

Revenues. The following table compares our revenues, in total and by type and geography, for the year ended March 31, 2023 to the year ended March 31, 2022:

Revenues increased $372.8 million, or 8.1%, to $4,957.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $4,585.1 million for the year ended March 31, 2022. These increases reflect added volume in the Healthcare, Applied Sterilization Technologies, and Life Sciences segments and the benefits of a full year of Cantel activity and price increases in all segments. These positives were partially offset by unfavorable fluctuations in currencies and divestiture activities.

Service revenues for fiscal 2023 increased $143.7 million, or 7.1% over fiscal 2022, reflecting growth in the Healthcare, Life Sciences and Applied Sterilization Technologies business segments. Consumable revenues for fiscal 2023 increased $107.8 million, or 6.7%, over fiscal 2022, reflecting growth in the Healthcare and Life Sciences segments and the benefit of a full year of Cantel activity. Capital equipment revenues for fiscal 2023 increased by $121.3 million, or 12.8%, over fiscal 2022, driven by organic growth in the Healthcare and Life Sciences segments.

Ireland revenues for fiscal 2023 were $74.5 million, representing a decline of $7.5 million, or 9.2%, as compared to fiscal 2022 revenues of $82.0 million, reflecting declines in service and consumable revenues.

United States revenues for fiscal 2023 were $3,586.5 million, representing an increase of $357.6 million, or 11.1%, over fiscal 2022 revenues of $3,228.9 million, reflecting growth in service and capital equipment revenues.

Revenues from other foreign locations for fiscal 2023 were $1,296.9 million, representing an increase of $22.7 million, or 1.8% over the fiscal 2022 revenues of $1,274.2 million. The increase reflects growth within the EMEA, Canada, and Latin American regions, which was partially offset by declines in the Asia Pacific region.

Gross Profit. The following table compares our gross profit for the year ended March 31, 2023 to the year ended March 31, 2022:

Our gross profit is affected by the volume, pricing and mix of sales of our products and services, as well as the costs associated with the products and services that are sold. Our gross profit percentage decreased to 43.6% for fiscal 2023 as compared to 44.0% for fiscal 2022. Unfavorable impacts from inflation (330 basis points) and productivity (50 basis points) were partially offset by favorable impacts from pricing (150 basis points), mix and other adjustments (130 basis points), divestiture activity (40 basis points), and fluctuations in currency (20 basis points).

32

Table of Contents

Operating Expenses. The following table compares our operating expenses for the year ended March 31, 2023 to the year ended March 31, 2022:

NM - Not meaningful

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses. Significant components of total Selling, general, and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) are compensation and benefit costs, fees for professional services, travel and entertainment, facilities costs, gains or losses from divestitures, and other general and administrative expenses. SG&A decreased 13.6% in fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022. The fiscal 2023 reduction reflects lower spending for acquisition and integration expenses, which were primarily related to our acquisition of Cantel, and a decline in incentive compensation plan expense.

Goodwill Impairment Loss. A goodwill impairment loss of $490.6 million was recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2023 as the result of an assessment of the fair value of the Dental segment made in connection with the preparation of our quarterly consolidated financial statements. For more information regarding our goodwill impairment loss, see Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets."

Research and Development. Research and development expenses increased $13.6 million in fiscal 2023 over fiscal 2022, primarily due to the addition of Cantel and other recent acquisitions. Research and development expenses are influenced by the number and timing of in-process projects and labor hours and other costs associated with these projects. Our research and development initiatives continue to emphasize new product development, product improvements, and the development of new technological platform innovations. During fiscal 2023, our investments in research and development have continued to be focused on, but were not limited to, enhancing capabilities of sterile processing combination technologies, procedural products and accessories, and devices and support accessories used in gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures.

Non-Operating Expenses, Net. Non-operating expenses, net consists of interest expense on debt, offset by interest earned on cash, cash equivalents, short-term investment balances, a fair value adjustment related to convertible debt, and other miscellaneous expense (income). The following table compares our net non-operating expenses, net for the year ended March 31, 2023 to the year ended March 31, 2022:

Interest expense increased $18.4 million during fiscal 2023 over fiscal 2022, primarily due to higher interest rates on floating rate debt.

During fiscal 2022, we recorded fair value adjustments of $27.8 million, based on appreciation in our share price related to premium liability associated with the convertible debt assumed in the acquisition of Cantel.

Additional information regarding our outstanding debt and Cantel convertible debt is included in Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Debt," and in the subsection of this MD&A titled, "Liquidity and Capital Resources."

Interest and miscellaneous expense (income) decreased $9.1 million during fiscal 2023, as compared to 2022, primarily due to losses recognized as a result of mark to market adjustments of our equity investments. Additional information regarding our mark to market adjustments of our equity investments is included in Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Fair Value Measurements."

33

Table of Contents

Income Tax Expense. The following table compares our tax expense and effective income tax rates for the years ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022:

The effective income tax rate for fiscal 2023 was 32.8% when compared to 22.8% for fiscal 2022. The fiscal 2023 effective tax rate increased when compared to 2022, primarily due to the tax impact of the goodwill impairment loss recognized on the Dental segment during the second quarter of fiscal 2023. The fiscal 2023 effective tax rate was also favorably impacted by changes in U.S. state and local tax rates applied to existing deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Business Segment Results of Operations.

We operate and report our financial information in four reportable business segments: Healthcare, Applied Sterilization Technologies, Life Sciences and Dental. Non-allocated operating costs that support the entire Company and items not indicative of operating trends are excluded from segment operating income.

Our Healthcare segment provides a comprehensive offering for healthcare providers worldwide, focused on sterile processing departments and procedural centers, such as operating rooms and endoscopy suites. Our products and services range from infection prevention consumables and capital equipment, as well as services to maintain that equipment; to the repair of re-usable procedural instruments; to outsourced instrument reprocessing services. In addition, our procedural solutions also include endoscopy accessories and capital equipment infrastructure used primarily in operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, endoscopy suites, and other procedural areas.

Our Applied Sterilization Technologies ("AST") segment is a third-party service provider for contract sterilization, as well as testing services needed to validate sterility services for medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Our technology-neutral offering supports Customers every step of the way, from testing through sterilization.

Our Life Sciences segment provides a comprehensive offering of products and services that support pharmaceutical manufacturing, primarily for vaccine and other biopharma Customers focused on aseptic manufacturing. These solutions include a full suite of consumable products, equipment maintenance and specialty services, and capital equipment.

Our Dental segment provides a comprehensive offering for dental practitioners and dental schools, offering instruments, infection prevention consumables and instrument management systems.

We disclose a measure of segment income that is consistent with the way management operates and views the business. The accounting policies for reportable segments are the same as those for the consolidated Company. Certain prior period costs were reallocated from the Healthcare segment to Corporate to conform with current year presentation. The prior period segment operating income measure has been recast for comparability.

For more information regarding our segments please refer to Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Business Segment Information," and Item 1, "Business."

The following table compares business segment revenues as well as impacts from acquisitions, divestitures, and foreign currency movements for the year ended March 31, 2023 to the year ended March 31, 2022.

Healthcare revenues increased 8.4% in fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022, reflecting growth in capital equipment, service, and consumable revenues of 14.6%, 7.5%, and 4.6% respectively. This increase reflects increased volume and pricing,

34

Table of Contents

partially offset by unfavorable fluctuations in currencies. The Healthcare segment’s backlog at March 31, 2023 amounted to $494.7 million. Excluding Cantel, the Healthcare segment's backlog at March 31, 2022 was $423.6 million. In addition to the added volume from Cantel, the increase is primarily due to built up demand and supply chain disruptions.

AST revenues increased 7.2% in fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily due to increases in volume and pricing, partially offset by unfavorable fluctuations in currencies.

Life Sciences revenues increased 2.2% in fiscal 2023, as compared to fiscal 2022 reflecting growth in capital equipment, service, and consumable revenues of 3.6%, 3.4%, and 0.7% respectively. This increase was driven by increased volume and pricing, partially offset by divestiture activity and unfavorable fluctuations in currency. The Life Sciences backlog at March 31, 2023 and 2022 amounted to $104.9 million and $104.7 million, respectively.

Dental segment revenues increased 16.6% to $421.6 million in fiscal 2023, as compared to $361.7 million from the Cantel acquisition date of June 2, 2021 through March 31, 2022. The increase was driven primarily by the timing of the Cantel acquisition.

The following table compares business segment and Corporate operating income for the year ended March 31, 2023 to the year ended March 31, 2022

(1) For more information regarding our recent acquisitions and divestitures, refer to Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Business Acquisitions and Divestitures."

(2) Acquisition and integration related charges include transaction costs and integration expenses associated with acquisitions.

(3) Costs incurred in connection with the Redomiciliation and subsequent tax restructuring.

(4) For more information regarding our goodwill impairment loss, refer to Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets."

The Healthcare segment’s operating income increased $56.3 million to $706.0 million in fiscal year 2023, as compared to $649.7 million in fiscal year 2022, due to higher volumes as well as the favorable impact from pricing. The segment's operating margins were 22.9% for fiscal year 2023 and 22.8% for fiscal year 2022. The increase in operating margin is primarily due to the benefits of higher volume and pricing which more than offset increased material costs.

The AST segment’s operating income increased $18.9 million to $429.0 million in fiscal year 2023, as compared to $410.1 million in fiscal year 2022. The AST segment's operating margins were 46.9% for fiscal year 2023 and 48.1% for fiscal year 2022. The increase in segment operating income is primarily due to increased volume. Operating margins declined as higher labor and energy costs more than offset the benefit of increased volume.

35

Table of Contents

The Life Sciences business segment’s operating income decreased $6.0 million to $210.2 million in fiscal year 2023, as compared to $216.2 million in fiscal year 2022. The segment’s operating margins were 39.2% for fiscal year 2023 and 41.2% for fiscal year 2022. The decreases in segment operating income and operating margin were primarily due to a reduction in productivity as well as supply chain and inflationary cost increases partially offset by the benefits of increases in pricing and volume.

The Dental business segment's operating income increased $5.1 million to $89.5 million in fiscal year 2023 as compared to $84.4 million in fiscal year 2022. The segment's operating margins were 21.2% for fiscal year 2023 and 23.3% for fiscal year 2022. The Dental segment's increase in operating income is primarily due to an increase in pricing. Operating margins declined as a reduction in productivity and increased supply chain and labor costs more than offset the benefit of pricing.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The following table summarizes significant components of our cash flows for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities – The net cash provided by our operating activities was $756.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to $684.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2022. Net cash provided by operating activities increased in fiscal 2023 by 10.5% over fiscal 2022, largely due to lower costs associated with the acquisition and integration of Cantel in the fiscal 2023 period, partially offset by higher working capital, particularly inventory and accounts receivable.

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities – The net cash used in our investing activities was $383.3 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to $666.6 million for the year ended March 31, 2022. The following discussion summarizes the significant changes in our investing cash flows for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

•Purchases of property, plant, equipment, and intangibles, net – Capital expenditures totaled $362.0 million and $287.6 million for fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively. The fiscal 2023 increase was primarily due to additional expenditures in our AST segment.

•Proceeds from the sale of property, plant, equipment and intangibles – During fiscal 2023 and 2022 we received $14.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively, for proceeds from the sale of property, plant, equipment and intangibles. The fiscal 2023 increase was primarily due to the sale of a facility previously used by the Dental segment.

•Proceeds from the sale of business – During fiscal 2023 and 2022, we received $6.6 million and $169.7 million, respectively, for proceeds from the sale of certain non-core businesses. For more information, refer to Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Business Acquisitions and Divestitures."

•Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired – During fiscal 2023 and 2022, we used $42.6 million and $550.4 million, respectively, for acquisitions. For more information on these acquisitions refer to Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Business Acquisitions and Divestitures."

Net Cash Provided By/Used In Financing Activities – Net cash used in financing activities was $498.7 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $115.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2022. The following discussion summarizes the significant changes in our financing cash flows for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

•Proceeds from issuance of senior notes – During fiscal 2022, we received $1,350.0 million in proceeds from the issuance of our Senior Public Notes. For more information on our Senior Public Notes, refer to Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Debt."

•Proceeds from term loan – During fiscal 2022, we borrowed $650.0 million under our Delayed Draw Term Loan. For more information on our term loans, refer to Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Debt."

•Payments on term loans – During fiscal 2023, we repaid $156.9 million of our Term Loans. During fiscal 2022, we repaid $345.0 million of our Term Loans. For more information on our term loans, refer to Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Debt."

36

Table of Contents

•Payments on long-term obligations – During fiscal 2023, we repaid $91.0 million of Private Placement Senior Notes. For more information on our Private Placement Senior Notes, refer to Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Debt." During fiscal 2022, we repaid $721.3 million of Cantel's outstanding debt in connection with the acquisition. For more information on Cantel's debt, refer to Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Business Acquisitions and Divestitures."

•Payments on convertible debt obligations – During fiscal 2022, we paid $371.4 million to settle obligations associated with Cantel's convertible debt assumed at the time of acquisition. For more information on Cantel's debt, refer to Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Debt."

•Proceeds/Payments under credit facilities, net – Net proceeds received under credit facilities totaled $241.7 million for fiscal 2023, compared to net payments under credit facilities of $190.2 million for fiscal 2022. At the end of fiscal 2023, $301.7 million of debt was outstanding under our bank credit facility, compared to $58.9 million of debt outstanding under this facility at the end of fiscal 2022. We provide additional information about our bank credit facility in Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Debt."

•Deferred financing fees and debt issuance costs – During fiscal 2022, we paid $17.5 million for financing fees and debt issuance costs primarily related to our Senior Public Notes and Delayed Draw Term Loan. For more information on our debt, refer to Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Debt."

•Repurchases of ordinary shares – During fiscal 2023, we obtained 79,169 of our ordinary shares in connection with share-based compensation award programs in the aggregate amount of $13.5 million. During fiscal 2023, we also purchased 1,563,983 of our ordinary shares in the aggregate amount of $295.0 million through our share repurchase program. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, share repurchases were suspended on April 9, 2020. The suspension was lifted effective February 10, 2022, enabling the Company to resume stock repurchases pursuant to the prior authorizations. From February 14, 2022, through March 31, 2022, we repurchased 108,368 of our ordinary shares for the aggregate amount of $25.0 million pursuant to the authorizations. We also obtained 244,395 of our ordinary shares in the aggregate amount of $30.8 million in connection with share-based compensation award programs. We provide additional information about our share repurchases in Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Repurchases of Ordinary Shares."

•Acquisition related deferred or contingent consideration – During fiscal 2023, we paid $1.5 million in acquisition related deferred and contingent consideration. During fiscal 2022, we paid $32.7 million in acquisition related deferred and contingent consideration, the majority of which was associated with a pre-acquisition arrangement related to an acquisition made by Cantel prior to our purchase of the company. For more information, refer to Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Business Acquisitions and Divestitures."

•Cash dividends paid to ordinary shareholders – During fiscal 2023, we paid cash dividends totaling $183.5 million or $1.84 per outstanding share. During fiscal 2022, we paid cash dividends totaling $163.2 million or $1.69 per outstanding share.

•Transactions with noncontrolling interest holders – During fiscal 2023, we paid $0.8 million in distributions to noncontrolling interest holders. During fiscal 2022, we received contributions from noncontrolling interest holders of $3.7 million and paid $1.0 million in distributions to noncontrolling interest holders.

•Stock option and other equity transactions, net – We generally receive cash for issuing shares upon the exercise of options under our employee stock option program. During fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, we received cash proceeds totaling $1.8 million and $10.1 million, respectively, under these programs.

Cash Flow Measures. The net cash provided by our operating activities was $756.9 million in fiscal 2023 compared to $684.8 million in fiscal 2022. Free cash flow was $409.6 million in fiscal 2023, compared to $399.0 million in fiscal 2022 (see subsection above titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for additional information and related reconciliation of cash flows from operations to free cash flow). The fiscal 2023 increase in free cash flow was primarily due to lower costs associated with the acquisition and integration of Cantel, partially offset by higher working capital, particularly inventory and accounts receivable, as well as increased capital spending.

Our debt-to-total capital ratio was 33.6% at March 31, 2023 and 32.1% at March 31, 2022.

37

Table of Contents

Sources of Credit.  Our sources of credit as of March 31, 2023 are summarized in the following table:

(1) At March 31, 2023, there were $9.9 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

Our sources of funding from credit as of March 31, 2023 are summarized below:

•On March 19, 2021, STERIS plc ("the Company"), STERIS Corporation, STERIS Limited (“Limited”), and STERIS Irish FinCo Unlimited Company ("FinCo", "STERIS Irish FinCo"), each as a borrower and guarantor, entered into a credit agreement with various financial institutions as lenders, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”) providing for a $1,250.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”), which replaced a prior revolving credit agreement.

•The Revolver provides for revolving credit borrowings, swing line borrowings and letters of credit, with sublimits for swing line borrowings and letters of credit. The Revolver may be increased in specified circumstances by up to $625.0 million at the discretion of the lenders. The Revolver matures on the date that is five years after March 19, 2021, and all unpaid borrowings, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, are repayable on that date. The Revolver bears interest from time to time, at either the Base Rate, the applicable Relevant Rate, or the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, as defined in and calculated under and as in effect from time to time under the Revolving Credit Agreement, plus the Applicable Margin, as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement. The Applicable Margin is determined based on the Debt Rating of STERIS, as defined in the Credit Agreement. Interest on Base Rate Advances is payable quarterly in arrears, interest on Term Benchmark Advances is payable at the end of the relevant interest period therefor, but in no event less frequently than every three months, and interest on RFR Advances is payable monthly after the date of borrowing. Swingline borrowings bear interest at a rate to be agreed upon by the applicable swingline lender and the applicable borrower, subject to a cap in the case of swingline borrowings denominated in U.S. Dollars equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Advances plus the Facility Fee. Advances may be extended in U.S. Dollars or in specified alternative currencies. In connection with the cessation of British Pound Sterling LIBOR and Swiss Franc LIBOR as of December 31, 2021, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, pursuant to authority contained in the Revolver, amended the Revolver on January 1, 2022 to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes (as defined in the Revolver). The amendment concerns technical, administrative or operational changes related to borrowings in British Pounds Sterling and Swiss Francs.

•On March 19, 2021, the Company, STERIS Corporation, Limited, and FinCo, each as a borrower and guarantor, entered into a term loan agreement with various financial institutions as lenders, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Term Loan Agreement”) providing for a $550.0 million term loan facility (the “Term Loan”), which replaced an existing term loan agreement, dated as of November 18, 2020 (the “Existing Term Loan Agreement”). The proceeds of the Term Loan were used to refinance the Existing Term Loan Agreement.

•The Term Loan matures on the date that is five years after March 19, 2021 (the “Term Loan Closing Date”). No principal payments are due on the Term Loan for the period beginning from the first full fiscal quarter ended after the Term Loan Closing Date to and including the fourth full fiscal quarter ended after the Term Loan Closing Date. For the period beginning from the fifth full fiscal quarter ended after the Term Loan Closing Date to and including the twelfth full fiscal quarter ended after the Term Loan Closing Date, quarterly principal payments, each in the amount of 1.25% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan, are due on the last business day of each fiscal quarter. For the period beginning from the thirteenth full fiscal quarter ended after the Term Loan Closing Date through the maturity of the loan, quarterly principal payments, each in the amount of 1.875% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan, are due on the last business day of each fiscal quarter. The remaining unpaid principal is due and payable on the maturity date.

•The Term Loan bears interest from time to time, at either the Base Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, as defined in and calculated under and as in effect from time to time under the Term Loan Agreement, plus the Applicable Margin, as defined in the Term Loan Agreement. The Applicable Margin is determined based on the Debt Rating of STERIS, as defined in the Term Loan Agreement. Interest on Base Rate Advances is payable quarterly in arrears and interest on Term

38

Table of Contents

Benchmark Advances is payable in arrears at the end of the relevant interest period therefor, but in no event less frequently than every three months.

•Also on March 19, 2021, the Company, STERIS Corporation, Limited, and FinCo, each as a borrower and guarantor, entered into a delayed draw term loan agreement with various financial institutions as lenders, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement”) providing for a delayed draw term loan facility of up to $750.0 million (the “Delayed Draw Term Loan”) in connection with STERIS’s acquisition of Cantel. During the first quarter of fiscal 2022, we borrowed $650.0 million under our Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement. The Delayed Draw Term Loan was funded by the lenders upon consummation of the Cantel acquisition (the “Acquisition Closing Date”). The proceeds of the Delayed Draw Term Loan were used, together with the proceeds from other new indebtedness, to fund the cash consideration for the acquisition, as well as for various other items.

•The Delayed Draw Term Loan matures on the date that is five years after the Acquisition Closing Date. No principal payments are due on the Delayed Draw Term Loan for the period beginning from the first full fiscal quarter ended after the Acquisition Closing Date to and including the fourth full fiscal quarter ended after the Acquisition Closing Date. For the period beginning from the fifth full fiscal quarter ended after the Acquisition Closing Date to and including the twelfth full fiscal quarter ended after the Acquisition Closing Date, quarterly principal payments, each in the amount of 1.25% of the original principal amount of the Delayed Draw Term Loan, are due on the last business day of each fiscal quarter. For the period beginning from the thirteenth full fiscal quarter ended after the Acquisition Closing Date through the maturity of the loan, quarterly principal payments, each in the amount of 1.875% of the original principal amount of the Delayed Draw Term Loan, are due on the last business day of each fiscal quarter. The remaining unpaid principal is due and payable on the maturity date.

•The Delayed Draw Term Loan bears interest from time to time, at either the Base Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, as defined in and calculated under and as in effect from time to time under the Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement, plus the Applicable Margin, as defined in the Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement. The Applicable Margin is determined based on the Debt Rating of STERIS, as defined in the Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement. Interest on Base Rate Advances is payable quarterly in arrears and interest on Term Benchmark Advances is payable in arrears at the end of the relevant interest period therefor, but in no event less frequently than every three months.

•On May 3, 2023, in connection with the upcoming replacement of U.S. dollar LIBOR with SOFR, the Borrower, Guarantors, Lenders, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., each as defined in each of the agreements, amended the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement, and the Delayed Draw Term Loan Agreement. The amendments concern pricing, technical, administrative, and operational changes related to borrowings in U.S. dollars. The above descriptions reflect those amendments.

•On April 1, 2021, STERIS Irish FinCo Unlimited Company ("FinCo," "STERIS Irish FinCo," the "Issuer") completed an offering of $1,350.0 million in aggregate principal amount, of its senior notes in two separate tranches: (i) $675.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 2.70% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “2031 Notes”) and (ii) $675.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 3.750% Senior Notes due 2051 (the “2051 Notes” and, together with the 2031 Notes, the “Senior Public Notes”). The Senior Public Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of April 1, 2021 (the “Base Indenture”), among FinCo, STERIS plc, STERIS Corporation and STERIS Limited (the “Guarantors”) and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 1, 2021, among FinCo, the Guarantors and the Trustee (the “Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”). Each of the Guarantors guaranteed the Senior Public Notes jointly and severally on a senior unsecured basis (the “Guarantees”). The 2031 Notes will mature on March 15, 2031 and the 2051 Notes will mature on March 15, 2051. The Senior Public Notes will bear interest at the rates set forth above. Interest on the Senior Public Notes is payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2021, until their respective maturities.

•As of March 31, 2023, a total of $301.7 million was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement, based on currency exchange rates as of March 31, 2023. At March 31, 2023, we had $938.4 million of unused funding available under the Revolving Credit Agreement. The Revolving Credit Agreement includes a sub-limit that reduces the maximum amount available to us by letters of credit outstanding. At March 31, 2023, there was $9.9 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement. As of March 31, 2023, $72.5 million and $625.6 million were outstanding under the Term Loan and Delayed Draw Term Loan, respectively.

39

Table of Contents

Our outstanding Private Placement Senior Notes at March 31, 2023 were as follows:

The Private Placement Senior Notes were issued as follows:

•On February 27, 2017, Limited issued and sold an aggregate principal amount of $95.0 million, €99.0 million, and £75.0 million of senior notes in a private placement to certain institutional investors in an offering that was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. These notes have maturities of between 10 years and 15 years from the issue date. The agreement governing these notes contains leverage and interest coverage covenants.

•On May 15, 2015, STERIS Corporation issued and sold $350.0 million of senior notes in a private placement to certain institutional investors in an offering that was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. These notes have maturities of 10 years to 15 years from the issue date. The agreement governing these notes contains leverage and interest coverage covenants.

•In December 2012 and in February 2013, STERIS Corporation issued and sold $200.0 million of senior notes in a private placement to certain institutional investors in offerings that were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The agreement governing the notes contains leverage and interest coverage covenants.

•The private placement note purchase agreements specify increases to the coupon interest rates while the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the note purchase agreements, exceeds certain thresholds. Beginning September 1, 2021, and through March 31, 2023, the coupon rates on the 2012 private placement notes were increased by 0.50%.

•On March 19, 2021, STERIS Corporation as issuer, and the Company, Limited and FinCo, as guarantors, entered into (1) a First Amendment to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement dated March 5, 2019 (which had amended and restated certain note purchase agreements originally dated December 4, 2012) per the 2012 and 2013 senior notes (the “2012 Amendment”), and (2) a First Amendment to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement dated March 5, 2019 (which had amended and restated certain note purchase agreements originally dated March 31, 2015) for the 2015 senior notes (the “2015 Amendment”). Also on March 19, 2021, Limited, as Issuer, and the Company, STERIS Corporation and FinCo, as guarantors, entered into a First Amendment to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement dated March 5, 2019 (which had amended and restated a certain note purchase agreement originally dated January 23, 2017) for the 2017 senior notes (together with the 2012 Amendment and the 2015 Amendment, the “NPA Amendments”). The NPA Amendments provided, among other things, for the waiver of certain repurchase rights of the note holders and increased the size of certain baskets to more closely align with other current credit agreement baskets.

At March 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all financial covenants associated with our indebtedness. For additional information on our sources of funding and credit, refer to Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements titled, “Debt.”

40

Table of Contents

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Our capital expenditure program is a component of our long-term strategy. This program includes, among other things, investments in new and existing facilities, business expansion projects, radioisotope (cobalt-60), and information technology enhancements and research and development advances. During fiscal 2023, our capital expenditures amounted to $362.0 million. We use cash provided by operating activities and our cash and cash equivalent balances to fund capital expenditures. In fiscal 2024, we plan to continue to invest in facility expansions, particularly within the Healthcare and Applied Sterilization Technologies segments and in ongoing maintenance for existing facilities.

MATERIAL FUTURE CASH OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS

Cash Requirements. We intend to use our existing cash and cash equivalent balances and cash generated from operations to fund capital expenditures and meet our other liquidity needs. Our capital requirements depend on many uncertain factors, including our rate of sales growth, our Customers’ acceptance of our products and services, the costs of obtaining adequate manufacturing capacities, the timing and extent of our research and development projects, changes in our operating expenses and other factors. To the extent that existing and anticipated sources of cash are not sufficient to fund our future activities, we may need to raise additional funds through additional borrowings or the sale of equity securities. There can be no assurance that our financing arrangements will provide us with sufficient funds or that we will be able to obtain any additional funds on terms favorable to us or at all.

Our material future cash obligations and commercial commitments as of March 31, 2023 are presented in the following tables. Commercial commitments include standby letters of credit, letters of credit required as security under our self-insured risk retention policies, and other potential cash outflows resulting from events that require us to fulfill commitments.

The table above includes only the principal amounts of our material future cash obligations. We provide information about the interest component of our long-term debt in the subsection of MD&A titled, “Liquidity and Capital Resources,” and in Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements titled, “Debt.”

Purchase obligations shown in the table above relate to minimum purchase commitments with suppliers for materials purchases and long-term construction contracts.

41

Table of Contents

The table above excludes contributions we make to our defined contribution plans. Our future contributions to the defined contribution plans depend on uncertain factors, such as the amount and timing of employee contributions and discretionary employer contributions. We provide additional information about our defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution plan, and other post-retirement benefits plan in Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Benefit Plans."

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

STERIS plc ("Parent") and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, STERIS Limited and STERIS Corporation (collectively "Guarantors" and each a "Guarantor"), each have provided guarantees of the obligations of STERIS Irish FinCo Unlimited Company ("FinCo", "STERIS Irish FinCo"), a wholly-owned subsidiary issuer, under Senior Public Notes issued by STERIS Irish FinCo on April 1, 2021 and of certain other obligations relating to the Senior Public Notes. The Senior Public Notes are guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis. The Senior Public Notes and the related guarantees are senior unsecured obligations of STERIS Irish FinCo and the Guarantors, respectively, and are equal in priority with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Issuer and the Guarantors, respectively, from time to time outstanding, including, as applicable, under the Private Placement Senior Notes, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Term Loan and the Delayed Draw Term Loan.

All of the liabilities of non-guarantor direct and indirect subsidiaries of STERIS, other than STERIS Irish FinCo, STERIS Limited and STERIS Corporation, including any claims of trade creditors, are effectively senior to the Senior Public Notes.

STERIS Irish FinCo’s main objective and source of revenues and cash flows is the provision of short- and long-term financing for the activities of STERIS plc and its subsidiaries.

The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends, interest and other fees to the Issuer and ability of the Issuer and Guarantors to service the Senior Public Notes may be restricted by, among other things, applicable corporate and other laws and regulations as well as agreements to which our subsidiaries are or may become a party.

The following is a summary of these guarantees:

Guarantees of Senior Notes

•Parent Company Guarantor – STERIS plc

•Subsidiary Issuer – STERIS Irish FinCo Unlimited Company

•Subsidiary Guarantor – STERIS Limited

•Subsidiary Guarantor – STERIS Corporation

The guarantee of a Guarantor will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged:

•in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor, upon the sale, transfer or other disposition (including by way of consolidation or merger) of such Subsidiary Guarantor, other than to the Parent or a subsidiary of the Parent and as permitted by the indenture;

•in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor, upon the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor, other than to the Parent or a subsidiary of the Parent and as permitted by the indenture;

•in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor, at such time as such Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a borrower under or no longer guarantees any material credit facility (subject to restatement in specified circumstances);

•upon the legal defeasance or covenant defeasance of the notes or the discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under the indenture in accordance with the terms of the indenture;

•as described in accordance with the terms of the indenture; or

•in the case of the Parent, if the Issuer ceases for any reason to be a subsidiary of the Parent; provided that all guarantees and other obligations of the Parent in respect of all other indebtedness under any Material Credit Facility of the Issuer terminate upon the Issuer ceasing to be a subsidiary of the Parent; and

•upon such Guarantor delivering to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the indenture relating to such transaction or release have been complied with.

The obligations of each Guarantor under its guarantee are expressly limited to the maximum amount that such Guarantor could guarantee without such guarantee constituting a fraudulent conveyance. Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its guarantee will be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under the indenture to a contribution from each

42

Table of Contents

Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

The following tables present summarized results of operations for the year ended March 31, 2023 and summarized balance sheet information at March 31, 2023 and 2022 for the obligor group of the Senior Public Notes. The obligor group consists of the Parent Company Guarantor, Subsidiary Issuer, and Subsidiary Guarantors for the Senior Public Notes. The summarized financial information is presented after elimination of (i) intercompany transactions and balances among the guarantors and issuer and (ii) equity in earnings from and investments in any subsidiary that is a non-guarantor or issuer. Transactions with non-issuer and non-guarantor subsidiaries have been presented separately.

Intercompany balances and transactions between the obligor group have been eliminated, and amounts due from, amounts due to, and transactions with non-issuer and non-guarantor subsidiaries have been presented separately. Intercompany transactions arise from internal financing and trade activities.

Credit Ratings

STERIS's Senior Public Notes have been assigned the following credit ratings:

(1) Effective May 18, 2023

43

Table of Contents

Each of the credit rating agencies reviews its rating periodically and there is no guarantee our current credit ratings will remain the same. If our credit ratings were lowered, our ability to access the debt markets, our cost of funds, and other terms for new debt issuances could be adversely impacted.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

The following subsections describe our most critical accounting estimates, and assumptions. Our accounting policies and recently issued accounting pronouncements are more fully described in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies."

Estimates and Assumptions.  Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements that were prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. We make certain estimates and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable when preparing these financial statements. These estimates and assumptions involve judgments with respect to numerous factors that are difficult to predict and are beyond management’s control. As a result, actual amounts could be materially different from these estimates. We periodically review these critical accounting policies, estimates, assumptions, and the related disclosures with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Revenue Recognition.  Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of the contract are satisfied and control of the promised products or services has transferred to the Customer. Revenues are measured at the amount of consideration that we expect to be paid in exchange for the products or services. Product revenue is recognized when control passes to the Customer, which is generally based on contract or shipping terms. Service revenue is recognized when the Customer benefits from the service, which occurs either upon completion of the service or as it is provided to the Customer. Our Customers include end users as well as dealers and distributors who market and sell our products. Our revenue is not contingent upon resale by the dealer or distributor, and we have no further obligations related to bringing about resale. Our standard return and restocking fee policies are applied to sales of products. Shipping and handling costs charged to Customers are included in Product revenues. The associated expenses are treated as fulfillment costs and are included in Cost of revenues. Revenues are reported net of sales and value-added taxes collected from Customers.

We have individual Customer contracts that offer discounted pricing. Dealers and distributors may be offered sales incentives in the form of rebates. We reduce revenue for discounts and estimated returns, rebates, and other similar allowances in the same period the related revenues are recorded. The reduction in revenue for these items is estimated based on historical experience and trend analysis to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of revenue will not occur. Estimated returns are recorded gross on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In transactions that contain multiple performance obligations, such as when products, maintenance services, and other services are combined, we recognize revenue as each product is delivered or service is provided to the Customer. We allocate the total arrangement consideration to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price, which is the price for the product or service when it is sold separately.

Payment terms vary by the type and location of the Customer and the products or services offered. Generally, the time between when revenue is recognized and when payment is due is not significant. We do not evaluate whether the selling price contains a financing component for contracts that have a duration of less than one year.

We do not capitalize sales commissions as substantially all of our sales commission programs have an amortization period of one year or less.

Certain costs to fulfill a contract are capitalized and amortized over the term of the contract if they are recoverable, directly related to a contract and generate resources that we will use to fulfill the contract in the future. At March 31, 2023, assets related to costs to fulfill a contract were not material to our consolidated financial statements.

Allowance for Credit Losses.  We maintain an allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable for estimated losses in the collection of amounts owed by Customers. We estimate the allowance based on analyzing a number of factors, including amounts written off historically, Customer payment practices, and general economic conditions. We also analyze significant Customer accounts on a regular basis and record a specific allowance when we become aware of a specific Customer’s inability to pay. As a result, the related accounts receivable are reduced to an amount that we reasonably believe is collectible. These analyses require judgment. If the financial condition of our Customers worsens, or economic conditions change, we may be required to make changes to our allowance for credit losses.

Inventories and Reserves. Inventories are stated at the lower of their cost and net realizable value determined by the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") cost method. Inventory costs include material, labor, and overhead.

We review inventory on an ongoing basis, considering factors such as deterioration and obsolescence. We record an allowance for estimated losses when the facts and circumstances indicate that particular inventories will not be usable. If future

44

Table of Contents

market conditions vary from those projected, and our estimates prove to be inaccurate, we may be required to write-down inventory values and record an adjustment to Cost of revenues.

Asset Impairment Losses.  Property, plant, equipment, and identifiable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. Impaired assets are recorded at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair value. We conduct this review on an ongoing basis and, if impairment exists, we record the loss in the Consolidated Statements of Income during that period.

When we evaluate assets for impairment, we make certain judgments and estimates, including interpreting current economic indicators and market valuations, evaluating our strategic plans with regards to operations, historical and anticipated performance of operations, and other factors. If we incorrectly anticipate these factors, or unexpected events occur, our operating results could be materially affected.

Purchase Accounting and Goodwill.  Assets and liabilities of the business acquired are accounted for at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Any excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. We supplement management expertise with valuation specialists in performing appraisals to assist us in determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. These valuations require us to make estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets. We generally amortize our intangible assets over their useful lives with the exception of indefinite lived intangible assets. We do not amortize goodwill, but we evaluate it annually for impairment. Therefore, the allocation of the purchase price to intangible assets and goodwill has a significant impact on future operating results.

We evaluate the recoverability of recorded goodwill amounts annually, or when evidence of potential impairment exists. We may consider qualitative indicators of the fair value of a reporting unit when it is unlikely that a reporting unit has impaired goodwill. We may also utilize a discounted cash flow analysis that requires certain assumptions and estimates be made regarding market conditions and our future profitability. In those circumstances, we test goodwill for impairment by reviewing the book value compared to the fair value at the reporting unit level. We calculate the fair value of our reporting units based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. Management's judgment is necessary to evaluate the impact of operating and macroeconomic changes and to estimate future cash flows to measure fair value. Assumptions used in our impairment evaluations, such as forecasted growth rates and cost of capital, are consistent with internal projections and operating plans. We believe such assumptions and estimates are also comparable to those that would be used by other marketplace participants.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2023, in connection with the preparation of our quarterly consolidated financial statements, we identified that the estimated fair value of the Dental segment was below the carrying value and recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $490.6 million. For additional information regarding the goodwill impairment charge, refer to Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets."

We evaluate indefinite lived intangible assets annually, or when evidence of potential impairment exists. We evaluate several qualitative indicators and assumptions, and trends that influence the valuation of the assets to determine if any evidence of potential impairment exists.

Income Taxes.  Our provision for income taxes is based on our current period income, changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities, income tax rates, changes in uncertain tax benefits, and tax planning opportunities available to us in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and the respective governmental taxing authorities. We use judgment in determining our annual effective income tax rate and evaluating our tax positions. We prepare and file tax returns based on our interpretation of tax laws and regulations, and we record estimates based on these judgments and interpretations. We cannot be sure that the tax authorities will agree with all of the tax positions taken by us. The actual income tax liability for each jurisdiction in any year can, in some instances, ultimately be determined several years after the tax return is filed and the financial statements are published.

We evaluate our tax positions using the recognition threshold and measurement attribute in accordance with current accounting guidance. We determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we presume that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority and that the taxing authority will have full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The appropriate unit of account for determining what constitutes an individual tax position, and whether the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is met for a tax position, is a matter of judgment based on the individual facts and circumstances of that position evaluated in light of all available evidence. We review and adjust our tax estimates periodically because of ongoing examinations by and settlements with the various taxing authorities, as well as changes in tax laws, regulations and precedent.

45

Table of Contents

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability and establish a valuation allowance based on historical taxable income, projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences, and the implementation of tax planning strategies. If we are unable to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions, or if there is a material change in the effective income tax rates or time period within which the underlying temporary differences become taxable or deductible, we could be required to increase our valuation allowance, which would increase our effective income tax rate and could result in an adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

We believe that adequate accruals have been made for income taxes. Differences between the estimated and actual amounts determined upon ultimate resolution, individually or in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, but could possibly be material to our consolidated results of operations or cash flows for any one period.

Additional information regarding income taxes is included in Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements titled, “Income Taxes.”

Self-Insurance Liabilities.  We record a liability for self-insured risks that we retain for general and product liabilities, workers’ compensation, and automobile liabilities based on actuarial calculations. We use our historical loss experience and actuarial methods to calculate the estimated liability. This liability includes estimated amounts for both losses and incurred but not reported claims. We review the assumptions used to calculate the estimated liability at least annually to evaluate the adequacy of the amount recorded. We maintain insurance policies to cover losses greater than our estimated liability, which are subject to the terms and conditions of those policies. The obligation covered by insurance contracts will remain on the balance sheet as we remain liable to the extent insurance carriers do not meet their obligation. Estimated amounts receivable under the contracts are included in the "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" line, and the "Other assets" line of our consolidated balance sheets. Our accrual for self-insured risk retention as of March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $30.4 million and $26.1 million, respectively.

We are also self-insured for employee medical claims. We estimate a liability for incurred but not reported claims based upon recent claims experience. Our self-insured liabilities contain uncertainties because management must make assumptions and apply judgments to estimate the ultimate cost to settle reported claims and claims incurred but not reported as of the balance sheet date. If actual results are not consistent with these assumptions and judgments, we could be exposed to additional costs in subsequent periods.

Contingencies.  We are, and will likely continue to be, involved in a number of legal proceedings, government investigations, and claims, which we believe generally arise in the course of our business, given our size, history, complexity, and the nature of our business, products, Customers, regulatory environment, and industries in which we participate. These legal proceedings, investigations and claims generally involve a variety of legal theories and allegations, including, without limitation, personal injury (e.g., slip and falls, burns, vehicle accidents), product liability or regulation (e.g., based on product operation or claimed malfunction, failure to warn, failure to meet specification, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements), product exposure (e.g., claimed exposure to chemicals, gases, asbestos, contaminants, radiation), property damage (e.g., claimed damage due to leaking equipment, fire, vehicles, chemicals), commercial claims (e.g., breach of contract, economic loss, warranty, misrepresentation), financial (e.g., taxes, reporting), employment (e.g., wrongful termination, discrimination, benefits matters), and other claims for damage and relief.

We record a liability for such contingencies to the extent we conclude that their occurrence is both probable and estimable. We consider many factors in making these assessments, including the professional judgment of experienced members of management and our legal counsel. We have made estimates as to the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes and the amounts of such potential losses. In our opinion, the ultimate outcome of these proceedings and claims is not anticipated to have a material adverse affect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. However, the ultimate outcome of proceedings, government investigations, and claims is unpredictable and actual results could be materially different from our estimates. We record expected recoveries under applicable insurance contracts when we are assured of recovery. Refer to Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Commitments and Contingencies" for additional information.

We are subject to taxation from federal, state and local, and foreign jurisdictions. Tax positions are settled primarily through the completion of audits within each individual tax jurisdiction or the closing of a statute of limitation. Changes in applicable tax law or other events may also require us to revise past estimates. The IRS of the United States routinely conducts audits of our federal income tax returns.

Additional information regarding our commitments and contingencies is included in Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements titled, "Commitments and Contingencies."

46

Table of Contents

Benefit Plans.  We provide defined benefit pension plans for certain employees and retirees. In addition, we sponsor an unfunded post-retirement benefits plan for two groups of United States retirees. Benefits under this plan include retiree life insurance and retiree medical insurance, including prescription drug coverage.

Employee pension and post-retirement benefits plans are a cost of conducting business and represent obligations that will be settled in the future and therefore, require us to use estimates and make certain assumptions to calculate the expense and liabilities related to the plans. Changes to these estimates and assumptions can result in different expense and liability amounts. Future actual experience may be significantly different from our current expectations. We believe that the most critical assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs and projected benefit obligations are the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the discount rate. A summary of significant assumptions used to determine the March 31, 2023 projected benefit obligations and the fiscal 2023 net periodic benefit costs is as follows:

NA – Not applicable.

We develop our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumptions by evaluating input from third-party professional advisors, taking into consideration the asset allocation of the portfolios, and the long-term asset class return expectations. Generally, net periodic benefit costs increase as the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption decreases. Holding all other assumptions constant, lowering the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption for our funded defined benefit pension plans by 50 basis points would have increased the fiscal 2023 benefit costs by less than $0.1 million.

We develop our discount rate assumptions by evaluating input from third-party professional advisers, taking into consideration the current yield on country specific investment grade long-term bonds which provide for similar cash flow streams as our projected benefit obligations. Generally, the projected benefit obligations and the net periodic benefit costs both increase as the discount rate assumption decreases. Holding all other assumptions constant, lowering the discount rate assumption for our defined benefit pension plans and for the other post-retirement benefits plan by 50 basis points would have decreased the fiscal 2023 net periodic benefit costs by less than $0.1 million and would have increased the projected benefit obligations by approximately $8.0 million at March 31, 2023.

We have made assumptions regarding healthcare costs in computing our other post-retirement benefit obligation. The assumed rates of increase generally decline ratably over a five year-period from the assumed current year healthcare cost trend rate of 7.5% to the assumed long-term healthcare cost trend rate. A 100 basis point change in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate (including medical, prescription drug, and long-term rates) would have had the following effect at March 31, 2023:

47

Table of Contents

We recognize an asset for the overfunded status or a liability for the underfunded status of defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefit plans in our balance sheets. This amount is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation (the projected benefit obligation for pension plans and the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation for other post-retirement benefit plans). Changes in the funded status of the plans are recorded in other comprehensive income in the year they occur. We measure plan assets and obligations as of the balance sheet date. Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements titled, “Benefit Plans,” contains additional information about our pension and other post-retirement welfare benefits plans.

Share-Based Compensation. We measure the estimated fair value for share-based compensation awards, including grants of employee stock options, at the grant date and recognize the related compensation expense over the period in which the share-based compensation vests. We selected the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model as the most appropriate method for determining the estimated fair value of our share-based stock option compensation awards. This model involves assumptions that are judgmental and affect share-based compensation expense.

Share-based compensation expense was $39.0 million in fiscal 2023, $57.7 million in fiscal 2022 and $26.0 million million in fiscal 2021. Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements titled, “Share-Based Compensation,” contains additional information about our share-based compensation plans.

48

Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-K may contain statements concerning certain trends, expectations, forecasts, estimates, or other forward-looking information affecting or relating to STERIS or its industry, products or activities that are intended to qualify for the protections afforded “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other laws and regulations. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date the statement is made and may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects,” “targets,” “forecasts,” “outlook,” “impact,” “potential,” “confidence,” “improve,” “optimistic,” “deliver,” “orders,” “backlog,” “comfortable,” “trend”, and “seeks,” or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. Many important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, disruption of production or supplies, changes in market conditions, political events, pending or future claims or litigation, competitive factors, technology advances, actions of regulatory agencies, and changes in laws, government regulations, labeling or product approvals or the application or interpretation thereof. Many of these important factors are outside of STERIS’s control. No assurances can be provided as to any result or the timing of any outcome regarding matters described in STERIS’s securities filings or otherwise with respect to any regulatory action, administrative proceedings, government investigations, litigation, warning letters, cost reductions, business strategies, earnings or revenue trends or future financial results. References to products are summaries only and should not be considered the specific terms of the product clearance or literature. Unless legally required, STERIS does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements even if events make clear that any projected results, express or implied, will not be realized. Other potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, (a) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises on STERIS’s operations, supply chain, material and labor costs, performance, results, prospects, or value, (b) STERIS's ability to achieve the expected benefits regarding the accounting and tax treatments of the redomiciliation to Ireland (“Redomiciliation”), (c) operating costs, Customer loss and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, Customers, clients or suppliers) being greater than expected, (d) STERIS’s ability to successfully integrate the businesses of Cantel Medical into our existing businesses, including unknown or inestimable liabilities, impairments, or increases in expected integration costs or difficulties in connection with the integration of Cantel Medical, (e) uncertainties related to tax treatments under the TCJA and the IRA, (f) the possibility that Pillar Two Model Rules could increase tax uncertainty and adversely impact STERIS's provision for income taxes and effective tax rate and subject STERIS to additional income tax in jurisdictions who adopt Pillar Two Model Rules, (g) STERIS's ability to continue to qualify for benefits under certain income tax treaties in light of ratification of more strict income tax treaty rules (through the MLI) in many jurisdictions where STERIS has operations, (h) changes in tax laws or interpretations that could increase our consolidated tax liabilities, including changes in tax laws that would result in STERIS being treated as a domestic corporation for United States federal tax purposes, (i) the potential for increased pressure on pricing or costs that leads to erosion of profit margins, including as a result of inflation, (j) the possibility that market demand will not develop for new technologies, products or applications or services, or business initiatives will take longer, cost more or produce lower benefits than anticipated, (k) the possibility that application of or compliance with laws, court rulings, certifications, regulations, or regulatory actions, including without limitation any of the same relating to FDA, EPA or other regulatory authorities, government investigations, the outcome of any pending or threatened FDA, EPA or other regulatory warning notices, actions, requests, inspections or submissions, the outcome of any pending or threatened litigation brought by private parties, or other requirements or standards may delay, limit or prevent new product or service introductions, affect the production, supply and/or marketing of existing products or services, result in costs to STERIS that may not be covered by insurance, or otherwise affect STERIS’s performance, results, prospects or value, (l) the potential of international unrest, including the Russia-Ukraine military conflict, economic downturn or effects of currencies, tax assessments, tariffs and/or other trade barriers, adjustments or anticipated rates, raw material costs or availability, benefit or retirement plan costs, or other regulatory compliance costs, (m) the possibility of reduced demand, or reductions in the rate of growth in demand, for STERIS’s products and services, (n) the possibility of delays in receipt of orders, order cancellations, or delays in the manufacture or shipment of ordered products, due to supply chain issues or otherwise, or in the provision of services, (o) the possibility that anticipated growth, cost savings, new product acceptance, performance or approvals, or other results may not be achieved, or that transition, labor, competition, timing, execution, impairments, regulatory, governmental, or other issues or risks associated with STERIS’s businesses, industry or initiatives including, without limitation, those matters described in STERIS's various securities filings, may adversely impact STERIS’s performance, results, prospects or value, (p) the impact on STERIS and its operations, or tax liabilities, of Brexit or the exit of other member countries from the EU, and the Company’s ability to respond to such impacts, (q) the impact on STERIS and its operations of any legislation, regulations or orders, including but not limited to any new trade or tax legislation (including CAMT and excise tax on stock buybacks), regulations or orders, that may be implemented by the U.S. administration or Congress, or of any responses thereto, (r) the possibility that anticipated financial results or benefits of recent acquisitions, including the acquisition of Cantel Medical and Key Surgical, or of STERIS’s restructuring efforts, or of recent divestitures, including anticipated revenue, productivity improvement, cost savings, growth synergies and other anticipated benefits, will not be realized or will be other than anticipated, (s) the increased level of STERIS’s indebtedness incurred in connection with the acquisition of Cantel Medical limiting financial flexibility or

49

Table of Contents

increasing future borrowing costs, (t) rating agency actions or other occurrences that could affect STERIS’s existing debt or future ability to borrow funds at rates favorable to STERIS or at all, and (u) the effects of changes in credit availability and pricing, as well as the ability of STERIS’s Customers and suppliers to adequately access the credit markets, on favorable terms or at all, when needed.

50

Table of Contents