Impairment Testing of Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Property, Plant and Equipment
The Company assesses, at least at each reporting date, whether or not there is an indication that a CGU may be impaired. If such an indication exists, or when annual impairment testing is required for intangible assets, such as applications software not yet available for use and the trademark and trade names with indefinite useful lives, the Company estimates the recoverable amount of the asset. The recoverable amount is determined for an individual asset, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of other assets or groups of assets. In the latter case, the recoverable amount is determined for a CGU which is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or group of assets. Goodwill is allocated to those CGUs that are expected to benefit from synergies of related business acquisitions and represent the lowest level within the group at which management monitors goodwill.
The recoverable amount is the higher of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. Value in use is the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from an asset or CGU. Fair value less costs to sell is the price that would be received to sell an asset or CGU in an orderly transaction between market participants, less the cost of disposal. The Company determines the recoverable amount and compares it with the carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference. Impairment losses are recognized in earnings in the expense category consistent with the function of the corresponding property, plant and equipment or intangible asset. Impairment losses recognized in respect of CGUs are allocated to reduce the carrying amounts of the assets of the unit or group of units pro rata based on the carrying amount of each asset in the unit or group of units.
With the exception of goodwill, an assessment is made at each reporting date as to whether there is any indication that previously recognized impairment losses may no longer exist or may have decreased. In this case, the Company will estimate the recoverable amount of that asset, and if appropriate, record a partial or an entire reversal of the impairment. The increased carrying amount of an asset attributable to a reversal of an impairment loss would not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined (net of amortization or depreciation) had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset in prior years.
Goodwill is subject to impairment testing at least once a year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. Goodwill is considered to be impaired when the carrying amount of the CGU or group of CGUs to which the goodwill has been allocated exceeds its fair value. An impairment loss, if any, would be recognized in the statement of earnings.
