Goodwill is determined from the criteria set out in the section on business combinations.
Goodwill is not amortised, but its impairment is checked annually or earlier if there are indications of a potential loss in asset value. For these purposes, the goodwill resulting from the business combination is assigned to each of the Group’s cash-generating units (CGUs) or groups of CGUs that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination and have the criteria referred to in section 4.4 (impairment) applied. After initial recognition, goodwill is valued at cost less accumulated impairment losses.
At the time of the disposal of a subsidiary or jointly controlled entity, the amount attributable to the goodwill is included when determining the profits or losses arising from the disposal.
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of companies with a functional currency other than the euro is valued in the functional currency of the acquired company, with the conversion to euros being made at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date.
Internally generated goodwill is not recognised as an asset.