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Microlesson · 5-min read

AS 28 – Individual Asset Transferred to CGU: Non-Impairment Rule

## Individual Asset in a CGU — The Non-Impairment Rule

### The Extra Concept

Sometimes an individual asset (e.g., a machine) cannot generate cash flows independently, so it is included in a CGU for impairment testing. A critical consequence follows:

> An individual asset is impaired only if the CGU to which it belongs is impaired.

Conversely:

> If the CGU is NOT impaired → the individual asset is NOT impaired, even if its own standalone RA appears to be below its CA.

### Testing Sequence

```

Step 1: Test the entire CGU

CGU CA vs CGU RA

Not Impaired? → Stop. No individual asset in the CGU is impaired.

Impaired? → Proceed to allocate loss to individual assets (Goodwill first, then pro-rata).

```

### Why This Rule Exists

Individual assets in a CGU are interdependent — the machine may be incapable of producing cash alone, but contributes to the group's cash generation. Impairing it in isolation ignores its embedded value within the group.

### Practical Illustration

ScenarioCGU RA vs CAMachine RA vs CAMachine Impaired?
CGU not impairedRA > CARA < CANo
CGU impairedRA < CARA < CAYes (allocated share)
CGU impairedRA < CARA > CAOnly to the extent of CGU allocation

Worked example

### Example 1

Machine within CGU (Page 27)

Given: A machine and other assets together form a CGU.

MachineOther AssetsTotal (CGU)
CA346346 + other
RA(lower)CGU RA > CGU CA

Result: CGU is NOT impaired (RA > CA at CGU level).

Conclusion: Even though the machine's individual RA may be below its CA, the machine is not impaired because the CGU as a whole is not impaired.

Key takeaway: Always test the CGU first. The CGU result gates whether individual asset impairment is even considered.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Testing individual assets for impairment in isolation before testing the CGU they belong to.
  • Impairing an individual asset just because its standalone RA < CA, without checking whether the CGU is impaired.
  • Reversing the logic — assuming that if the CGU is impaired, every individual asset must also be impaired (allocation may result in some assets absorbing zero impairment).
Reference:
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