(4) Accounting policies used for consolidation

(4a) Subsidiaries (full consolidation)

A subsidiary is an entity over which the Group has direct or indirect control.

Control exists if the Group:

a. has power over the entity;

b. is exposed or has rights to variable returns because of its involvement with the entity; and

c. can use its power over the entity to affect the size of these returns.

Each of these three criteria has to be satisfied to establish that the Group has control over an entity in which it owns an interest. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences to the date that control ceases.

Business combinations

Business combinations are recognised according to the acquisition method, as from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. The transaction cost of an acquisition is recognised at fair value, as are the net identifiable assets acquired. Any resulting goodwill is tested every year for impairment. Any gain from a favourable purchase is recognised directly in profit or loss. Transaction costs are recognised when these are incurred, unless they relate to the issue of debt or equity instruments. The transfer sum includes no amount for settling existing account balances. Such amounts are generally recognised in the statement of profit or loss. The fair value of a contingent payment is recognised on the date of acquisition. If this conditional payment is classified as equity, it is not subsequently remeasured. Instead, the settlement figure is recognised in equity. In other cases, adjustments after initial recognition are recognised in profit or loss.

In a step acquisition of an interest that does not qualify as a company, the existing interest is not remeasured to fair value.

(4b) Joint ventures (equity method)

A joint venture is a joint arrangement in which the Group has joint control together with other parties, and has a right to the net assets of the joint venture. The parties involved have agreed contractually that control is shared and that decisions concerning relevant activities require unanimous approval from the parties having joint control over the joint venture. A joint venture is recognised from the date on which the Group shares control until the date on which this ceases.

Joint ventures are recognised in accordance with the equity method and are initially recognised at acquisition cost. The investments of the Group include the goodwill determined during acquisition. The consolidated financial statements include the Group’s proportionate share of the comprehensive income determined in accordance with the Group’s accounting policies. If the Group’s share of the losses is greater than the value of the interest in a joint venture, the value of the interest is written down to nil. Any further losses will no longer be recognised except insofar as the Group has made a commitment or intends to recognise the losses.

(4c) Associates (equity method)

An associate is an entity over which the Group has significant influence, but cannot exercise control. Significant influence is presumed to exist when the Group holds 20% or more of the voting rights. An associate is recognised from the date on which the Group has significant influence until the date on which this ceases.

Associates are recognised in accordance with the equity method and are initially recognised at acquisition cost. The investments of the Group include the goodwill determined during acquisition. The consolidated financial statements include the Group’s proportionate share of the comprehensive income determined in accordance with the Group’s accounting policies. If the Group’s share of the losses is greater than the value of the interest in an associate, the value of the interest is written down to nil. Any further losses will no longer be recognised except insofar as the Group has made a commitment or intends to recognise the losses.

(4d) Joint operations (proportionate recognition)

Joint operations are arrangements over which the Group exercises control jointly with third parties. For its share in a joint operation, the Group recognises its assets (including its share of the assets held jointly), liabilities (including its share of the liabilities incurred jointly), revenue (including its share of the revenue from the output of the joint operation) and expenses (including its share of the expenses incurred jointly). In practice, the method for recognising joint operations is comparable to that used for proportionate recognition.

(4e) Elimination of transactions on consolidation

Intragroup balances and any unrealised income and expense arising from intragroup transactions are eliminated when preparing the consolidated financial statements.

Unrealised income from transactions with associates, joint ventures and joint operations are eliminated in proportion to the Group’s interests in the entities concerned.