Non-financial Assets
The recoverable amount of property, plant and equipment and other long-term assets with finite useful lives are measured whenever there are any circumstances indicating that the assets have to recognize an impairment loss. Among the circumstances to consider as evidence of impairment are significant declines in the assets’ market value, significant adverse changes in the technological environment, obsolescence or physical damages of assets and changes in the manner in which the asset is used or expected to be used). Arauco evaluates at the end of each reporting period whether there is any evidence of the indications above mentioned.
A previously recognized impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount however a reversal of an impairment loss shall 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.
For the purposes of assessing impairment losses, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there is identifiable cash flows separately for each cash-generating unit. Non-financial assets, other than goodwill, which had recognized an impairment loss, are reviewed at the end of each reporting period whether there are any circumstances indicating that an impairment loss previously recognized may no longer exists or has decreased.
“Cash-generating units” are the smallest identifiable groups of those cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflow from other assets or groups of assets.
Goodwill
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful life are tested annually for impairment or whenever circumstances indicate it. The recoverable amount of an intangible asset is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment loss is recognized whenever the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.
A cash-generating unit, for which goodwill has been allocated, is tested for impairment annually or more frequently when there are circumstances indicating that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than its carrying amount, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to other assets pro rata based on the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. Any impairment loss of goodwill is recognized directly in profit or loss. An impairment loss recognized for goodwill is not reversed in subsequent periods.
Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units for impairment testing purposes. The allocation is made between cash-generating units or groups of cash generating units expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination.
Financial Assets
At the end of each reporting period, an assessment is performed in order to identify whether there is any objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets may have been impaired. Financial assets are impaired only when there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more loss events that occurred after the initial recognition of a financial asset, the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset have been affected. Impairment losses are recognized in the consolidated statement of profit or loss.
An allowance for doubtful accounts is established based on an analysis of the maturity of the portfolio and considering the insurance coverage on accounts receivable. Other conditions are assessed, for example, when there is objective evidence of default or delinquency in payments under the original sale terms and when the customer enters into bankruptcy or financial reorganization, and is written-off when Arauco has exhausted all levels of recovery of the receivable in a reasonable time.
The allowance for doubtful accounts is measured as the difference between the carrying amount of receivables and the present value of estimated future cash flows. The carrying amount of the receivable is reduced through the use of the allowance. If the impairment loss decreases in later periods, it is reversed either directly or by adjusting the provision for doubtful accounts, with effect in profit or loss.
