Exceptions to the retrospective application of other IFRSs
Prior to 1 January 2010, there were three exceptions to the general principle of retrospective application. On 23 July 2009, IFRS 1 was amended, effective 1 January 2010, to add two additional exceptions with the goal of further simplifying the transition to IFRSs for first-time adopters. The five exceptions are: [IFRS 1.Appendix B]
IAS 39 – Derecognition of financial instruments
A first-time adopter shall apply the derecognition requirements in IAS 39 prospectively for transactions occurring on or after 1 January 2004. However, the entity may apply the derecognition requirements retrospectively provided that the needed information was obtained at the time of initially accounting for those transactions. [IFRS 1.B2-3]
IAS 39 – Hedge accounting
The general rule is that the entity shall not reflect in its opening IFRS balance sheet (statement of financial position) a hedging relationship of a type that does not qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with IAS 39. However, if an entity designated a net position as a hedged item in accordance with previous GAAP, it may designate an individual item within that net position as a hedged item in accordance with IFRS, provided that it does so no later than the date of transition to IFRSs. [IFRS 1.B5]
Note: Modified requirements apply when an entity applies IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (2013).
IAS 27 – Non-controlling interest
IFRS 1.B7 lists specific requirements of IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements that shall be applied prospectively.
Full-cost oil and gas assets
Entities using the full cost method may elect exemption from retrospective application of IFRSs for oil and gas assets. Entities electing this exemption will use the carrying amount under its old GAAP as the deemed cost of its oil and gas assets at the date of first-time adoption of IFRSs.
Determining whether an arrangement contains a lease
If a first-time adopter with a leasing contract made the same type of determination of whether an arrangement contained a lease in accordance with previous GAAP as that required by IFRIC 4 Determining whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease, but at a date other than that required by IFRIC 4, the amendments exempt the entity from having to apply IFRIC 4 when it adopts IFRSs.