Foreign Private Issuers Wishing to File Their Annual Report on Form 20-F before March 4, 2008 and Exclude US GAAP Information Should Consult with the Staff

On December 21, 2007 the SEC adopted as a final rule Securities Act Release No. 8879 Acceptance from Foreign Private Issuers of Financial Statements Prepared in Accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards Without Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP. The final rule will become effective on March 4, 2008.

In response to questions, the staff has advised companies that until this new rule is effective that they are subject to the existing rules regarding the inclusion of U.S. GAAP information in filings with the Commission. However, the staff is aware that some foreign private issuers with a fiscal year ending after November 15, 2007 that prepare their financial statements using IFRS, as issued by the IASB, will want to file their annual report on Form 20-F before March 4, 2008. These companies also want to exclude U.S. GAAP information from that filing. The staff does not want to discourage companies from filing their 20-F before March 4, 2008. Accordingly, these companies are encouraged to contact the staff in the Division of Corporation Finance to discuss this issue. These companies can contact either Craig Olinger – Deputy Chief Accountant (202-551-3547) or Wayne Carnall — Chief Accountant (202-551-3107) to discuss their particular facts or circumstances.

The staff also noted that this same release provides similar relief from the requirement to provide U.S. GAAP information if the financial statements are filed under Rules 3-05, 3-09, 3-10 and 3-16. Likewise, companies that intend to file financial statements with a fiscal year ending after November 15, 2007 that are prepared using IFRS, as issued by the IASB, that exclude U.S. GAAP information in a filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 before March 4, 2008 are similarly encouraged to discuss their fact pattern with the staff.

Those companies seeking relief from the existing rules will need to make the request in writing.

Companies are encouraged, of course, to discuss any other implementation issue with the staff.

http://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/guidance/cf20fgaap.htm