Assets that have an indefinite useful life such as goodwill are not subject to amortization and are tested, at least, annually at the same date to verify the existence of impairment.
Assets, which are subject to amortization or depreciation, are reviewed to verify impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized based on the excess the carrying amount of the asset or the cash generating unit (CGU) over its estimated recoverable amount. The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its fair value, less costs to sell, and its value in use.
For the purpose of impairment testing, the assets that cannot be tested individually are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or CGUs. Subject to a ceiling of the operating segments, for the purpose of goodwill impairment testing, CGUs to which goodwill has been allocated are aggregated so that the level at which impairment testing is performed reflects the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal reporting purposes. Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to groups of CGU's that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination.
The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset/CGU's fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. When assessing the value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a discount rate that reflects the current market conditions of the time value of money and the specific risks of the asset or CGU.
The Organization's corporate assets do not generate separate cash inflows and are utilized by more than one CGU. Corporate assets are allocated to CGU's on a reasonable and consistent basis and tested for impairment as part of the testing of the CGU to which the corporate asset is allocated.
Impairment losses are recognized in the consolidated Statement of Income. Impairment losses recognized in respect of CGU's are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the CGU (group of CGU's) and then to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the CGU (group of CGU's) on a pro rata basis.
An impairment of goodwill cannot be reversed. With regard to other assets, an impairment loss recognized in previous periods is reassessed at each reporting date for any indications that the impairment has decreased or no longer exists. An impairment loss will be reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount or to the extent that the carrying amount of the asset does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation and amortization, if no impairment had been recognized.