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Chapter 4 — Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations

4.3 Scope of ASC 410-20

4.3 Scope of ASC 410-20

ASC 410-20
15-2 The guidance in this Subtopic applies to the following transactions and activities:
  1. Legal obligations associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that result from the acquisition, construction, or development and (or) the normal operation of a long-lived asset, including any legal obligations that require disposal of a replaced part that is a component of a tangible long-lived asset.
  2. An environmental remediation liability that results from the normal operation of a long-lived asset and that is associated with the retirement of that asset. The fact that partial settlement of an obligation is required or performed before full retirement of an asset does not remove that obligation from the scope of this Subtopic. If environmental contamination is incurred in the normal operation of a long-lived asset and is associated with the retirement of that asset, then this Subtopic will apply (and Subtopic 410-30 will not apply) if the entity is legally obligated to treat the contamination.
  3. A conditional obligation to perform a retirement activity. Uncertainty about the timing of settlement of the asset retirement obligation does not remove that obligation from the scope of this Subtopic but will affect the measurement of a liability for that obligation (see paragraph 410-20-25-10).
  4. Obligations of a lessor in connection with leased property that meet the provisions in (a). Paragraph 840-10-25-16 requires that lease classification tests performed in accordance with the requirements of Subtopic 840-10 incorporate the requirements of this Subtopic to the extent applicable.
  5. The costs associated with the retirement of a specified asset that qualifies as historical waste equipment as defined by EU Directive 2002/96/EC. (See paragraphs 410-20-55-23 through 55-30 and Example 4 [paragraph 410-20-55-63] for illustration of this guidance.) Paragraph 410-20-55-24 explains how the Directive distinguishes between new and historical waste and provides related implementation guidance.
Pending Content (Transition Guidance: ASC 842-10-65-1)
15-2 The guidance in this Subtopic applies to the following transactions and activities:
  1. Legal obligations associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that result from the acquisition, construction, or development and (or) the normal operation of a long-lived asset, including any legal obligations that require disposal of a replaced part that is a component of a tangible long-lived asset.
  2. An environmental remediation liability that results from the normal operation of a long-lived asset and that is associated with the retirement of that asset. The fact that partial settlement of an obligation is required or performed before full retirement of an asset does not remove that obligation from the scope of this Subtopic. If environmental contamination is incurred in the normal operation of a long-lived asset and is associated with the retirement of that asset, then this Subtopic will apply (and Subtopic 410-30 will not apply) if the entity is legally obligated to treat the contamination.
  3. A conditional obligation to perform a retirement activity. Uncertainty about the timing of settlement of the asset retirement obligation does not remove that obligation from the scope of this Subtopic but will affect the measurement of a liability for that obligation (see paragraph 410-20-25-10).
  4. Obligations of a lessor in connection with an underlying asset that meet the provisions in (a).
  5. The costs associated with the retirement of a specified asset that qualifies as historical waste equipment as defined by EU Directive 2002/96/EC. (See paragraphs 410-20-55-23 through 55-30 and Example 4 [paragraph 410-20-55-63] for illustration of this guidance.) Paragraph 410-20-55-24 explains how the Directive distinguishes between new and historical waste and provides related implementation guidance.

Footnotes

1
See ASC 410-20-20, which cites the definition of promissory estoppel that is used in Black’s Law Dictionary, seventh edition.
2
Wood utility poles used in certain industries are typically treated with certain chemicals and, once removed, are subject to special disposal requirements under existing legislation. In these circumstances, the special disposal procedures under existing legislation create an ARO for the disposal of the utility poles once removed, which should be accounted for under the guidance in ASC 410-20 regardless of whether the removal or replacement of the utility poles is considered an ARO under the doctrine of promissory estoppel. See ASC 410-20-55-49 through 55-52.