Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and
Contingent Assets

In April 2001 the International Accounting Standards Board adopted IAS 37 Provisions,
Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, which had originally been issued by the
International Accounting Standards Committee in September 1998. That standard
replaced parts of IAS 10 Contingencies and Events Occurring after the Balance Sheet Date that
was issued in 1978 and that dealt with contingencies.
In May 2020 the Board issued Onerous Contracts—Cost of Fulfilling a Contract. This amended
IAS 37 to clarify that for the purpose of assessing whether a contract is onerous, the cost
of fulfilling the contract includes both the incremental costs of fulfilling that contract
and an allocation of other costs that relate directly to fulfilling contracts.
Other Standards have made minor consequential amendments to IAS 37. They include
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (Hedge Accounting and amendments to IFRS 9, IFRS 7 and
IAS 39) (issued November 2013), Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2010–2012 Cycle (issued
December 2013), IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (issued May 2014), IFRS 9
Financial Instruments (issued July 2014), IFRS 16 Leases (issued January 2016), IFRS 17
Insurance Contracts (issued May 2017), Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in
IFRS Standards (issued March 2018) and Definition of Material (Amendments to IAS 1 and
IAS 8) (issued October 2018).

International Accounting Standard 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent
Assets (IAS 37) is set out in paragraphs 1–105. All the paragraphs have equal authority
but retain the IASC format of the Standard when it was adopted by the IASB. IAS 37
should be read in the context of its objective, the Preface to IFRS Standards and
the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting. IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in
Accounting Estimates and Errors provides a basis for selecting and applying accounting
policies in the absence of explicit guidance.

International Accounting Standard 37
Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets
Objective

The objective of this Standard is to ensure that appropriate recognition criteria and
measurement bases are applied to provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets
and that sufficient information is disclosed in the notes to enable users to understand
their nature, timing and amount.

Scope

This Standard shall be applied by all entities in accounting for provisions,
contingent liabilities and contingent assets, except:
(a) those resulting from executory contracts, except where the contract
is onerous; and
(b) [deleted]
(c) those covered by another Standard.
This Standard does not apply to financial instruments (including guarantees)
that are within the scope of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments.
Executory contracts are contracts under which neither party has performed
any of its obligations or both parties have partially performed their
obligations to an equal extent. This Standard does not apply to executory
contracts unless they are onerous.
[Deleted]
When another Standard deals with a specific type of provision, contingent
liability or contingent asset, an entity applies that Standard instead of this
Standard. For example, some types of provisions are addressed in Standards
on:
(a) [deleted]
(b) income taxes (see IAS 12 Income Taxes);
(c) leases (see IFRS 16 Leases). However, this Standard applies to any lease
that becomes onerous before the commencement date of the lease as
defined in IFRS 16. This Standard also applies to short-term leases and
leases for which the underlying asset is of low value accounted for in
accordance with paragraph 6 of IFRS 16 and that have become onerous;
(d) employee benefits (see IAS 19 Employee Benefits);
(e) insurance contracts and other contracts within the scope of
IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts;
(f) contingent consideration of an acquirer in a business combination
(see IFRS 3 Business Combinations); and

(g) revenue from contracts with customers (see IFRS 15 Revenue from
Contracts with Customers). However, as IFRS 15 contains no specific
requirements to address contracts with customers that are, or have
become, onerous, this Standard applies to such cases.
[Deleted]
This Standard defines provisions as liabilities of uncertain timing or amount.
In some countries the term ‘provision’ is also used in the context of items
such as depreciation, impairment of assets and doubtful debts: these are
adjustments to the carrying amounts of assets and are not addressed in this
Standard.
Other Standards specify whether expenditures are treated as assets or as
expenses. These issues are not addressed in this Standard. Accordingly, this
Standard neither prohibits nor requires capitalisation of the costs recognised
when a provision is made.
This Standard applies to provisions for restructurings (including discontinued
operations). When a restructuring meets the definition of a discontinued
operation, additional disclosures may be required by IFRS 5 Non-current Assets
Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.

Definitions

The following terms are used in this Standard with the meanings specified:
A provision is a liability of uncertain timing or amount.
A liability is a present obligation of the entity arising from past events, the
settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow from the entity of
resources embodying economic benefits.1
An obligating event is an event that creates a legal or constructive obligation
that results in an entity having no realistic alternative to settling that
obligation.
A legal obligation is an obligation that derives from:
(a) a contract (through its explicit or implicit terms);
(b) legislation; or
(c) other operation of law.
A constructive obligation is an obligation that derives from an entity’s actions
where:
(a) by an established pattern of past practice, published policies or a
sufficiently specific current statement, the entity has indicated to
other parties that it will accept certain responsibilities; and

(b) as a result, the entity has created a valid expectation on the part of
those other parties that it will discharge those responsibilities.
A contingent liability is:
(a) a possible obligation that arises from past events and whose
existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or
non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly
within the control of the entity; or
(b) a present obligation that arises from past events but is not
recognised because:
(i) it is not probable that an outflow of resources embodying
economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation; or
(ii) the amount of the obligation cannot be measured with
sufficient reliability.

A contingent asset is a possible asset that arises from past events and whose
existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of
one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the
entity.
An onerous contract is a contract in which the unavoidable costs of meeting
the obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected
to be received under it.
A restructuring is a programme that is planned and controlled by
management, and materially changes either:
(a) the scope of a business undertaken by an entity; or
(b) the manner in which that business is conducted.

Provisions and other liabilities

Provisions can be distinguished from other liabilities such as trade payables
and accruals because there is uncertainty about the timing or amount of the
future expenditure required in settlement. By contrast:
(a) trade payables are liabilities to pay for goods or services that have been
received or supplied and have been invoiced or formally agreed with
the supplier; and
(b) accruals are liabilities to pay for goods or services that have been
received or supplied but have not been paid, invoiced or formally
agreed with the supplier, including amounts due to employees (for
example, amounts relating to accrued vacation pay). Although it is
sometimes necessary to estimate the amount or timing of accruals, the
uncertainty is generally much less than for provisions.
Accruals are often reported as part of trade and other payables, whereas
provisions are reported separately.

Relationship between provisions and contingent
liabilities

In a general sense, all provisions are contingent because they are uncertain in
timing or amount. However, within this Standard the term ‘contingent’ is
used for liabilities and assets that are not recognised because their existence
will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more
uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the entity. In
addition, the term ‘contingent liability’ is used for liabilities that do not meet
the recognition criteria.
This Standard distinguishes between:
(a) provisions – which are recognised as liabilities (assuming that a
reliable estimate can be made) because they are present obligations
and it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic
benefits will be required to settle the obligations; and
(b) contingent liabilities – which are not recognised as liabilities because
they are either:
(i) possible obligations, as it has yet to be confirmed whether the
entity has a present obligation that could lead to an outflow of
resources embodying economic benefits; or
(ii) present obligations that do not meet the recognition criteria in
this Standard (because either it is not probable that an outflow
of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to
settle the obligation, or a sufficiently reliable estimate of the
amount of the obligation cannot be made).

Recognition
Provisions

A provision shall be recognized when:
(a) an entity has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result
of a past event;
(b) it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic
benefits will be required to settle the obligation; and
(c) a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
If these conditions are not met, no provision shall be recognized.

Present obligation

In rare cases it is not clear whether there is a present obligation. In these
cases, a past event is deemed to give rise to a present obligation if, taking
account of all available evidence, it is more likely than not that a present
obligation exists at the end of the reporting period.

In almost all cases it will be clear whether a past event has given rise to a
present obligation. In rare cases, for example in a lawsuit, it may be disputed
either whether certain events have occurred or whether those events result in
a present obligation. In such a case, an entity determines whether a present
obligation exists at the end of the reporting period by taking account of all
available evidence, including, for example, the opinion of experts. The
evidence considered includes any additional evidence provided by events after
the reporting period. On the basis of such evidence:
(a) where it is more likely than not that a present obligation exists at the
end of the reporting period, the entity recognises a provision (if the
recognition criteria are met); and
(b) where it is more likely that no present obligation exists at the end of
the reporting period, the entity discloses a contingent liability, unless
the possibility of an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits
is remote (see paragraph 86).

Past event

A past event that leads to a present obligation is called an obligating event. For
an event to be an obligating event, it is necessary that the entity has no
realistic alternative to settling the obligation created by the event. This is the
case only:
(a) where the settlement of the obligation can be enforced by law; or
(b) in the case of a constructive obligation, where the event (which may be
an action of the entity) creates valid expectations in other parties that
the entity will discharge the obligation.
Financial statements deal with the financial position of an entity at the end of
its reporting period and not its possible position in the future. Therefore, no
provision is recognised for costs that need to be incurred to operate in the
future. The only liabilities recognised in an entity’s statement of financial
position are those that exist at the end of the reporting period.
It is only those obligations arising from past events existing independently of
an entity’s future actions (ie the future conduct of its business) that are
recognised as provisions. Examples of such obligations are penalties or
clean-up costs for unlawful environmental damage, both of which would lead
to an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits in settlement
regardless of the future actions of the entity. Similarly, an entity recognises a
provision for the decommissioning costs of an oil installation or a nuclear
power station to the extent that the entity is obliged to rectify damage already
caused. In contrast, because of commercial pressures or legal requirements, an
entity may intend or need to carry out expenditure to operate in a particular
way in the future (for example, by fitting smoke filters in a certain type of
factory). Because the entity can avoid the future expenditure by its future
actions, for example by changing its method of operation, it has no present
obligation for that future expenditure and no provision is recognized.

An obligation always involves another party to whom the obligation is owed.
It is not necessary, however, to know the identity of the party to whom the
obligation is owed—indeed the obligation may be to the public at large.
Because an obligation always involves a commitment to another party, it
follows that a management or board decision does not give rise to a
constructive obligation at the end of the reporting period unless the decision
has been communicated before the end of the reporting period to those
affected by it in a sufficiently specific manner to raise a valid expectation in
them that the entity will discharge its responsibilities.
An event that does not give rise to an obligation immediately may do so at a
later date, because of changes in the law or because an act (for example, a
sufficiently specific public statement) by the entity gives rise to a constructive
obligation. For example, when environmental damage is caused there may be
no obligation to remedy the consequences. However, the causing of the
damage will become an obligating event when a new law requires the existing
damage to be rectified or when the entity publicly accepts responsibility for
rectification in a way that creates a constructive obligation.
Where details of a proposed new law have yet to be finalised, an obligation
arises only when the legislation is virtually certain to be enacted as drafted.
For the purpose of this Standard, such an obligation is treated as a legal
obligation. Differences in circumstances surrounding enactment make it
impossible to specify a single event that would make the enactment of a law
virtually certain. In many cases it will be impossible to be virtually certain of
the enactment of a law until it is enacted.

Probable outflow of resources embodying economic benefits

For a liability to qualify for recognition there must be not only a present
obligation but also the probability of an outflow of resources embodying
economic benefits to settle that obligation. For the purpose of this Standard,2
an outflow of resources or other event is regarded as probable if the event is
more likely than not to occur, ie the probability that the event will occur is
greater than the probability that it will not. Where it is not probable that a
present obligation exists, an entity discloses a contingent liability, unless the
possibility of an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits is remote
(see paragraph 86).
Where there are a number of similar obligations (eg product warranties or
similar contracts) the probability that an outflow will be required in
settlement is determined by considering the class of obligations as a whole.
Although the likelihood of outflow for any one item may be small, it may well
be probable that some outflow of resources will be needed to settle the class of
obligations as a whole. If that is the case, a provision is recognized (if the other
recognition criteria are met).

Reliable estimate of the obligation

The use of estimates is an essential part of the preparation of financial
statements and does not undermine their reliability. This is especially true in
the case of provisions, which by their nature are more uncertain than most
other items in the statement of financial position. Except in extremely rare
cases, an entity will be able to determine a range of possible outcomes and can
therefore make an estimate of the obligation that is sufficiently reliable to use
in recognising a provision.
In the extremely rare case where no reliable estimate can be made, a liability
exists that cannot be recognised. That liability is disclosed as a contingent
liability (see paragraph 86).

Contingent liabilities

An entity shall not recognise a contingent liability.
A contingent liability is disclosed, as required by paragraph 86, unless the
possibility of an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits is remote.
Where an entity is jointly and severally liable for an obligation, the part of the
obligation that is expected to be met by other parties is treated as a contingent
liability. The entity recognises a provision for the part of the obligation for
which an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits is probable,
except in the extremely rare circumstances where no reliable estimate can be
made.
Contingent liabilities may develop in a way not initially expected. Therefore,
they are assessed continually to determine whether an outflow of resources
embodying economic benefits has become probable. If it becomes probable
that an outflow of future economic benefits will be required for an item
previously dealt with as a contingent liability, a provision is recognised in the
financial statements of the period in which the change in probability occurs
(except in the extremely rare circumstances where no reliable estimate can be
made).

Contingent assets

An entity shall not recognise a contingent asset.
Contingent assets usually arise from unplanned or other unexpected events
that give rise to the possibility of an inflow of economic benefits to the entity.
An example is a claim that an entity is pursuing through legal processes,
where the outcome is uncertain.
Contingent assets are not recognized in financial statements since this may
result in the recognition of income that may never be realized. However, when
the realization of income is virtually certain, then the related asset is not a
contingent asset and its recognition is appropriate.
A contingent asset is disclosed, as required by paragraph 89, where an inflow
of economic benefits is probable.

Contingent assets are assessed continually to ensure that developments are
appropriately reflected in the financial statements. If it has become virtually
certain that an inflow of economic benefits will arise, the asset and the related
income are recognised in the financial statements of the period in which the
change occurs. If an inflow of economic benefits has become probable, an
entity discloses the contingent asset (see paragraph 89).

Measurement
Best estimate

The amount recognised as a provision shall be the best estimate of the
expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the end of the
reporting period.
The best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation
is the amount that an entity would rationally pay to settle the obligation at
the end of the reporting period or to transfer it to a third party at that time. It
will often be impossible or prohibitively expensive to settle or transfer an
obligation at the end of the reporting period. However, the estimate of the
amount that an entity would rationally pay to settle or transfer the obligation
gives the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present
obligation at the end of the reporting period.
The estimates of outcome and financial effect are determined by the
judgement of the management of the entity, supplemented by experience of
similar transactions and, in some cases, reports from independent experts.
The evidence considered includes any additional evidence provided by events
after the reporting period.
Uncertainties surrounding the amount to be recognised as a provision are
dealt with by various means according to the circumstances. Where the
provision being measured involves a large population of items, the obligation
is estimated by weighting all possible outcomes by their associated
probabilities. The name for this statistical method of estimation is ‘expected
value’. The provision will therefore be different depending on whether the
probability of a loss of a given amount is, for example, 60 per cent or 90 per
cent. Where there is a continuous range of possible outcomes, and each point
in that range is as likely as any other, the mid-point of the range is used.

Example
An entity sells goods with a warranty under which customers are covered for
the cost of repairs of any manufacturing defects that become apparent
within the first six months after purchase. If minor defects were detected in
all products sold, repair costs of 1 million would result. If major defects were
detected in all products sold, repair costs of 4 million would result. The
entity’s past experience and future expectations indicate that, for the
coming year, 75 per cent of the goods sold will have no defects, 20 per cent
of the goods sold will have minor defects and 5 per cent of the goods sold
will have major defects. In accordance with paragraph 24, an entity assesses
the probability of an outflow for the warranty obligations as a whole.
The expected value of the cost of repairs is:
(75% of nil) + (20% of 1m) + (5% of 4m) = 400,000
Where a single obligation is being measured, the individual most likely
outcome may be the best estimate of the liability. However, even in such a
case, the entity considers other possible outcomes. Where other possible
outcomes are either mostly higher or mostly lower than the most likely
outcome, the best estimate will be a higher or lower amount. For example, if
an entity has to rectify a serious fault in a major plant that it has constructed
for a customer, the individual most likely outcome may be for the repair to
succeed at the first attempt at a cost of 1,000, but a provision for a larger
amount is made if there is a significant chance that further attempts will be
necessary.
The provision is measured before tax, as the tax consequences of the
provision, and changes in it, are dealt with under IAS 12.

Risks and uncertainties

The risks and uncertainties that inevitably surround many events and
circumstances shall be taken into account in reaching the best estimate of
a provision.
Risk describes variability of outcome. A risk adjustment may increase the
amount at which a liability is measured. Caution is needed in making
judgements under conditions of uncertainty, so that income or assets are not
overstated and expenses or liabilities are not understated. However,
uncertainty does not justify the creation of excessive provisions or a deliberate
overstatement of liabilities. For example, if the projected costs of a
particularly adverse outcome are estimated on a prudent basis, that outcome
is not then deliberately treated as more probable than is realistically the case.
Care is needed to avoid duplicating adjustments for risk and uncertainty with
consequent overstatement of a provision.
Disclosure of the uncertainties surrounding the amount of the expenditure is
made under paragraph 85(b).

Present value

Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the amount of a
provision shall be the present value of the expenditures expected to be
required to settle the obligation.
Because of the time value of money, provisions relating to cash outflows that
arise soon after the reporting period are more onerous than those where cash
outflows of the same amount arise later. Provisions are therefore discounted,
where the effect is material.
The discount rate (or rates) shall be a pre-tax rate (or rates) that reflect(s)
current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks
specific to the liability. The discount rate(s) shall not reflect risks for which
future cash flow estimates have been adjusted.

Future events

Future events that may affect the amount required to settle an obligation
shall be reflected in the amount of a provision where there is sufficient
objective evidence that they will occur.
Expected future events may be particularly important in measuring
provisions. For example, an entity may believe that the cost of cleaning up a
site at the end of its life will be reduced by future changes in technology. The
amount recognised reflects a reasonable expectation of technically qualified,
objective observers, taking account of all available evidence as to the
technology that will be available at the time of the clean-up. Thus it is
appropriate to include, for example, expected cost reductions associated with
increased experience in applying existing technology or the expected cost of
applying existing technology to a larger or more complex clean-up operation
than has previously been carried out. However, an entity does not anticipate
the development of a completely new technology for cleaning up unless it is
supported by sufficient objective evidence.
The effect of possible new legislation is taken into consideration in measuring
an existing obligation when sufficient objective evidence exists that the
legislation is virtually certain to be enacted. The variety of circumstances that
arise in practice makes it impossible to specify a single event that will provide
sufficient, objective evidence in every case. Evidence is required both of what
legislation will demand and of whether it is virtually certain to be enacted and
implemented in due course. In many cases sufficient objective evidence will
not exist until the new legislation is enacted.

Expected disposal of assets

Gains from the expected disposal of assets shall not be taken into account
in measuring a provision. 

Gains on the expected disposal of assets are not taken into account in
measuring a provision, even if the expected disposal is closely linked to the
event giving rise to the provision. Instead, an entity recognises gains on
expected disposals of assets at the time specified by the Standard dealing with
the assets concerned.

Reimbursements

Where some or all of the expenditure required to settle a provision is
expected to be reimbursed by another party, the reimbursement shall be
recognised when, and only when, it is virtually certain that reimbursement
will be received if the entity settles the obligation. The reimbursement
shall be treated as a separate asset. The amount recognised for the
reimbursement shall not exceed the amount of the provision.
In the statement of comprehensive income, the expense relating to a
provision may be presented net of the amount recognised for a
reimbursement.
Sometimes, an entity is able to look to another party to pay part or all of the
expenditure required to settle a provision (for example, through insurance
contracts, indemnity clauses or suppliers’ warranties). The other party may
either reimburse amounts paid by the entity or pay the amounts directly.
In most cases the entity will remain liable for the whole of the amount in
question so that the entity would have to settle the full amount if the third
party failed to pay for any reason. In this situation, a provision is recognised
for the full amount of the liability, and a separate asset for the expected
reimbursement is recognised when it is virtually certain that reimbursement
will be received if the entity settles the liability.
In some cases, the entity will not be liable for the costs in question if the third
party fails to pay. In such a case the entity has no liability for those costs and
they are not included in the provision.
As noted in paragraph 29, an obligation for which an entity is jointly and
severally liable is a contingent liability to the extent that it is expected that
the obligation will be settled by the other parties.

Changes in provisions

Provisions shall be reviewed at the end of each reporting period and
adjusted to reflect the current best estimate. If it is no longer probable that
an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to
settle the obligation, the provision shall be reversed.
Where discounting is used, the carrying amount of a provision increases in
each period to reflect the passage of time. This increase is recognized as
borrowing cost.

Use of provisions

A provision shall be used only for expenditures for which the provision was
originally recognised.
Only expenditures that relate to the original provision are set against it.
Setting expenditures against a provision that was originally recognised for
another purpose would conceal the impact of two different events.

Application of the recognition and measurement rules
Future operating losses

Provisions shall not be recognised for future operating losses.
Future operating losses do not meet the definition of a liability in
paragraph 10 and the general recognition criteria set out for provisions in
paragraph 14.
An expectation of future operating losses is an indication that certain assets of
the operation may be impaired. An entity tests these assets for impairment
under IAS 36 Impairment of Assets.

Onerous contracts

If an entity has a contract that is onerous, the present obligation under the
contract shall be recognised and measured as a provision.
Many contracts (for example, some routine purchase orders) can be cancelled
without paying compensation to the other party, and therefore there is no
obligation. Other contracts establish both rights and obligations for each of
the contracting parties. Where events make such a contract onerous, the
contract falls within the scope of this Standard and a liability exists which is
recognised. Executory contracts that are not onerous fall outside the scope of
this Standard.
This Standard defines an onerous contract as a contract in which the
unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under the contract exceed the
economic benefits expected to be received under it. The unavoidable costs
under a contract reflect the least net cost of exiting from the contract, which
is the lower of the cost of fulfilling it and any compensation or penalties
arising from failure to fulfil it.
The cost of fulfilling a contract comprises the costs that relate directly to the
contract. Costs that relate directly to a contract consist of both:
(a) the incremental costs of fulfilling that contract—for example, direct
labour and materials; and
(b) an allocation of other costs that relate directly to fulfilling contracts—
for example, an allocation of the depreciation charge for an item of
property, plant and equipment used in fulfilling that contract among
others.

Before a separate provision for an onerous contract is established, an entity
recognizes any impairment loss that has occurred on assets used in fulfilling
the contract (see IAS 36).

Restructuring

The following are examples of events that may fall under the definition of
restructuring:
(a) sale or termination of a line of business;
(b) the closure of business locations in a country or region or the
relocation of business activities from one country or region to another;
(c) changes in management structure, for example, eliminating a layer of
management; and
(d) fundamental reorganisations that have a material effect on the nature
and focus of the entity’s operations.
A provision for restructuring costs is recognised only when the general
recognition criteria for provisions set out in paragraph 14 are met.
Paragraphs 72–83 set out how the general recognition criteria apply to
restructurings.
A constructive obligation to restructure arises only when an entity:
(a) has a detailed formal plan for the restructuring identifying at least:
(i) the business or part of a business concerned;
(ii) the principal locations affected;
(iii) the location, function, and approximate number of
employees who will be compensated for terminating their
services;
(iv) the expenditures that will be undertaken; and
(v) when the plan will be implemented; and
(b) has raised a valid expectation in those affected that it will carry out
the restructuring by starting to implement that plan or announcing
its main features to those affected by it.
Evidence that an entity has started to implement a restructuring plan would
be provided, for example, by dismantling plant or selling assets or by the
public announcement of the main features of the plan. A public
announcement of a detailed plan to restructure constitutes a constructive
obligation to restructure only if it is made in such a way and in sufficient
detail (ie setting out the main features of the plan) that it gives rise to valid
expectations in other parties such as customers, suppliers and employees (or
their representatives) that the entity will carry out the restructuring.

For a plan to be sufficient to give rise to a constructive obligation when
communicated to those affected by it, its implementation needs to be planned
to begin as soon as possible and to be completed in a timeframe that makes
significant changes to the plan unlikely. If it is expected that there will be a
long delay before the restructuring begins or that the restructuring will take
an unreasonably long time, it is unlikely that the plan will raise a valid
expectation on the part of others that the entity is at present committed to
restructuring, because the timeframe allows opportunities for the entity to
change its plans.
A management or board decision to restructure taken before the end of the
reporting period does not give rise to a constructive obligation at the end of
the reporting period unless the entity has, before the end of the reporting
period:
(a) started to implement the restructuring plan; or
(b) announced the main features of the restructuring plan to those
affected by it in a sufficiently specific manner to raise a valid
expectation in them that the entity will carry out the restructuring.
If an entity starts to implement a restructuring plan, or announces its main
features to those affected, only after the reporting period, disclosure is
required under IAS 10 Events after the Reporting Period, if the restructuring is
material and non-disclosure could reasonably be expected to influence
decisions that the primary users of general purpose financial statements make
on the basis of those financial statements, which provide financial
information about a specific reporting entity.
Although a constructive obligation is not created solely by a management
decision, an obligation may result from other earlier events together with
such a decision. For example, negotiations with employee representatives for
termination payments, or with purchasers for the sale of an operation, may
have been concluded subject only to board approval. Once that approval has
been obtained and communicated to the other parties, the entity has a
constructive obligation to restructure, if the conditions of paragraph 72 are
met.
In some countries, the ultimate authority is vested in a board whose
membership includes representatives of interests other than those of
management (eg employees) or notification to such representatives may be
necessary before the board decision is taken. Because a decision by such a
board involves communication to these representatives, it may result in a
constructive obligation to restructure.
No obligation arises for the sale of an operation until the entity is
committed to the sale, ie there is a binding sale agreement.
Even when an entity has taken a decision to sell an operation and announced
that decision publicly, it cannot be committed to the sale until a purchaser
has been identified and there is a binding sale agreement. Until there is a
binding sale agreement, the entity will be able to change its mind and indeed
will have to take another course of action if a purchaser cannot be found on acceptable terms. When the sale of an operation is envisaged as part of a
restructuring, the assets of the operation are reviewed for impairment, under
IAS 36. When a sale is only part of a restructuring, a constructive obligation
can arise for the other parts of the restructuring before a binding sale
agreement exists.
A restructuring provision shall include only the direct expenditures arising
from the restructuring, which are those that are both:
(a) necessarily entailed by the restructuring; and
(b) not associated with the ongoing activities of the entity.
A restructuring provision does not include such costs as:
(a) retraining or relocating continuing staff;
(b) marketing; or
(c) investment in new systems and distribution networks.
These expenditures relate to the future conduct of the business and are not
liabilities for restructuring at the end of the reporting period. Such
expenditures are recognised on the same basis as if they arose independently
of a restructuring.
Identifiable future operating losses up to the date of a restructuring are not
included in a provision, unless they relate to an onerous contract as defined in
paragraph 10.
As required by paragraph 51, gains on the expected disposal of assets are not
taken into account in measuring a restructuring provision, even if the sale of
assets is envisaged as part of the restructuring.

Disclosure

For each class of provision, an entity shall disclose:
(a) the carrying amount at the beginning and end of the period;
(b) additional provisions made in the period, including increases to
existing provisions;
(c) amounts used (ie incurred and charged against the provision)
during the period;
(d) unused amounts reversed during the period; and
(e) the increase during the period in the discounted amount arising
from the passage of time and the effect of any change in the
discount rate.
Comparative information is not required.
An entity shall disclose the following for each class of provision:
(a) a brief description of the nature of the obligation and the expected
timing of any resulting outflows of economic benefits;

(b) an indication of the uncertainties about the amount or timing of
those outflows. Where necessary to provide adequate information,
an entity shall disclose the major assumptions made concerning
future events, as addressed in paragraph 48; and
(c) the amount of any expected reimbursement, stating the amount of
any asset that has been recognised for that expected
reimbursement.
Unless the possibility of any outflow in settlement is remote, an entity shall
disclose for each class of contingent liability at the end of the reporting
period a brief description of the nature of the contingent liability and,
where practicable:
(a) an estimate of its financial effect, measured under
paragraphs 36–52;
(b) an indication of the uncertainties relating to the amount or timing
of any outflow; and
(c) the possibility of any reimbursement.
In determining which provisions or contingent liabilities may be aggregated to
form a class, it is necessary to consider whether the nature of the items is
sufficiently similar for a single statement about them to fulfil the
requirements of paragraphs 85(a) and (b) and 86(a) and (b). Thus, it may be
appropriate to treat as a single class of provision amounts relating to
warranties of different products, but it would not be appropriate to treat as a
single class amounts relating to normal warranties and amounts that are
subject to legal proceedings.
Where a provision and a contingent liability arise from the same set of
circumstances, an entity makes the disclosures required by paragraphs 84–86
in a way that shows the link between the provision and the contingent
liability.
Where an inflow of economic benefits is probable, an entity shall disclose a
brief description of the nature of the contingent assets at the end of the
reporting period, and, where practicable, an estimate of their financial
effect, measured using the principles set out for provisions in
paragraphs 36–52.
It is important that disclosures for contingent assets avoid giving misleading
indications of the likelihood of income arising.
Where any of the information required by paragraphs 86 and 89 is not
disclosed because it is not practicable to do so, that fact shall be stated.
In extremely rare cases, disclosure of some or all of the information
required by paragraphs 84–89 can be expected to prejudice seriously the
position of the entity in a dispute with other parties on the subject matter
of the provision, contingent liability or contingent asset. In such cases, an
entity need not disclose the information, but shall disclose the general nature of the dispute, together with the fact that, and reason why, the
information has not been disclosed.

Transitional provisions

The effect of adopting this Standard on its effective date (or earlier) shall be
reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for
the period in which the Standard is first adopted. Entities are encouraged,
but not required, to adjust the opening balance of retained earnings for
the earliest period presented and to restate comparative information.
If comparative information is not restated, this fact shall be disclosed.
[Deleted]
Onerous Contracts—Cost of Fulfilling a Contract, issued in May 2020, added
paragraph 68A and amended paragraph 69. An entity shall apply those
amendments to contracts for which it has not yet fulfilled all its obligations at
the beginning of the annual reporting period in which it first applies the
amendments (the date of initial application). The entity shall not restate
comparative information. Instead, the entity shall recognise the cumulative
effect of initially applying the amendments as an adjustment to the opening
balance of retained earnings or other component of equity, as appropriate, at
the date of initial application.

Effective date

This Standard becomes operative for annual financial statements covering
periods beginning on or after 1 July 1999. Earlier application is encouraged. If
an entity applies this Standard for periods beginning before 1 July 1999, it
shall disclose that fact.
[Deleted]
[Deleted]
[Deleted]
Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2010–2012 Cycle, issued in December 2013,
amended paragraph 5 as a consequential amendment derived from the
amendment to IFRS 3. An entity shall apply that amendment prospectively to
business combinations to which the amendment to IFRS 3 applies.
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, issued in May 2014,
amended paragraph 5 and deleted paragraph 6. An entity shall apply those
amendments when it applies IFRS 15.
IFRS 9, as issued in July 2014, amended paragraph 2 and deleted
paragraphs 97 and 98. An entity shall apply those amendments when it
applies IFRS 9.
IFRS 16, issued in January 2016, amended paragraph 5. An entity shall apply
that amendment when it applies IFRS 16.

IFRS 17, issued in May 2017, amended paragraph 5. An entity shall apply that
amendment when it applies IFRS 17.
Definition of Material (Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8), issued in October 2018,
amended paragraph 75. An entity shall apply those amendments prospectively
for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020. Earlier application is
permitted. If an entity applies those amendments for an earlier period, it shall
disclose that fact. An entity shall apply those amendments when it applies the
amendments to the definition of material in paragraph 7 of IAS 1 and
paragraphs 5 and 6 of IAS 8.
Onerous Contracts—Cost of Fulfilling a Contract, issued in May 2020, added
paragraphs 68A and 94A and amended paragraph 69. An entity shall apply
those amendments for annual reporting periods beginning on or after
1 January 2022. Earlier application is permitted. If an entity applies those
amendments for an earlier period, it shall disclose that fact.

Approval by the Board of Onerous Contracts—Cost of Fulfilling a
Contract issued in May 2020

Onerous Contracts—Cost of Fulfilling a Contract, which amended IAS 37, was approved for
issue by all 14 members of the International Accounting Standards Board.
Hans Hoogervorst Chairman
Suzanne Lloyd Vice-Chair
Nick Anderson
Tadeu Cendon
Martin Edelmann
Françoise Flores
Gary Kabureck
Jianqiao Lu
Darrel Scott
Thomas Scott
Chungwoo Suh
Rika Suzuki
Ann Tarca
Mary Tokar