IFRIC 14

In July 2007, the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”) issued interpretation IFRIC 14, “IAS 19 – The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction” (“IFRIC 14”). IFRIC 14 provides general guidance on how to assess the limit in IAS 19, “Employee Benefits,” on the amount of a pension fund surplus that can be recognized as an asset. It also explains how the pension asset or liability may be affected when there is a statutory or contractual minimum funding requirement. No additional liability need be recognized by the employer under IFRIC 14 unless the contributions that are payable under the minimum funding requirement cannot be returned to the company. IFRIC 14 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2008, with early application permitted; whilst approved by the IASB, the interpretation has yet to be endorsed by the EU. We are currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of IFRIC 14 will have on our consolidated financial statements.