Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets
A provision is a liability of uncertain timing or amount at the balance sheet date. Provisions are recognized when: (i) there is a present obligation, legal or constructive, as a result of a past event; (ii) it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation; and (iii) the amount of the obligation can be reliably estimated. The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation or to transfer it to third parties at the balance sheet date. The amount recognized for onerous contracts is the lower of the cost necessary to fulfill the obligations, net of expected economic benefits deriving from the contracts, and any compensation or penalties arising from failure to fulfill these obligations. Where the effect of the time value is material, and the payment date of the obligations can be reasonably estimated, provisions to be accrued are the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation at a discount rate that reflects the Company’s average borrowing rate taking into account the risks associated with the obligation. The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognized as “Finance income (expense)”.
Where an obligation exists for an item of property, plant and equipment (e.g. site dismantling and restoration), the provision is recognized together with a corresponding amount as part of the related item of property, plant and equipment. The decommissioning portion of the property, plant and equipment is subsequently depreciated at the same rate as the rest of the asset.
A provision for restructuring costs is recognized only when the Company has a detailed formal plan for the restructuring and has raised a valid expectation in the affected parties that it will carry out the restructuring.
Provisions are periodically reviewed and adjusted to reflect changes in the estimates of costs, timing and discount rates. Changes in provisions are recognized in the same profit and loss account line item where the original provision was charged, or, when the liability regards tangible assets (e.g. site dismantling and restoration), changes in the provision are recognized with a corresponding entry to the assets to which they refer, to the extent of the assets’ carrying amounts; any excess amount is recognized in the profit and loss account.
Contingent liabilities are disclosed as follows: (i) possible, but not probable obligations arising from past events, 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 Company; or (ii) present obligations arising from past events, whose amount cannot be reliably measured or whose settlement will probably not result in an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits. Contingent assets, that are possible assets arising 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 Company, are not recognized unless the realization of economic benefits is virtually certain. Contingent assets are disclosed when an inflow of economic benefits is probable. Contingent assets are assessed periodically 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 recognized in the financial statements of the period in which the change occurs.