Overview

Date recorded:

The IASB met on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 May 2020.

Amendments to IFRS 17 Insurance ContractsThe amendments to IFRS 17 are being finalised by the staff. During this process the staff identified five (sweep) issues for which the Board decided to make additional changes to the Standard, along with two other matters that were identified after the staff paper had been distributed.

Maintenance and consistent application — Sale and leaseback with variable payments: At its April 2020 meeting, the Board decided to amend IFRS 16 for sale and leaseback transactions when the lease has variable payments. At this meeting the Board decided that the proposed amendment be applied retrospectively in accordance with IAS 8, except when hindsight is required, and that early application be permitted.  

Disclosure initiative — Accounting policies: The Board supported the staff recommendations towards finalising the proposal to require entities to disclose ‘material’ accounting policies instead of ‘significant’ accounting policies. However, given the importance of the wording, the staff have been asked to bring revised drafting back for the Board to consider. The finalisation should not be delayed to align with any changes arising from the ED General Presentation and Disclosures. However, the staff will consider whether to align the effective date of this amendment with the amendments to IAS 8 under the Accounting policies and accounting estimates project.

Management commentary: The Board supported the staff recommendations for the disclosure objectives and the type of information that would support those objectives in relation to risk and the external evironment.

Research programme update: The staff updated the Board on the research programme, including recent changes to the timetable and priorities.

There was also an oral update of IBOR Reform and the Effects on Financial Reporting: Based on informal discussions, the overall feedback of the ED is supportive and positive. The comment letter analysis and potential changes will be discussed in the June 2020 meeting.

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