Costs of conversion
12 The costs of conversion of inventories include costs directly related to the units of production, such as
direct labour. They also include a systematic allocation of fixed and variable production overheads that are
incurred in converting materials into finished goods. Fixed production overheads are those indirect costs of
production that remain relatively constant regardless of the volume of production, such as depreciation and
maintenance of factory buildings and equipment, and the cost of factory management and administration.
Variable production overheads are those indirect costs of production that vary directly, or nearly directly,
with the volume of production, such as indirect materials and indirect labour.
13 The allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion is based on the normal capacity of
the production facilities. Normal capacity is the production expected to be achieved on average over a
number of periods or seasons under normal circumstances, taking into account the loss of capacity
resulting from planned maintenance. The actual level of production may be used if it approximates normal
capacity. The amount of fixed overhead allocated to each unit of production is not increased as a
consequence of low production or idle plant. Unallocated overheads are recognised as an expense in the