74 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
HEINEKEN N.V. ANNUAL REPORT 20C 3
3. Significant accounting policies
(ii) Special Purpose Entities (SPEs)
An SPE is consolidated if, based on an evaluation of the substance of its relationship with Heineken and
the SPEs risks and rewards, Heineken concludes that it controls the SPE. SPEs controlled by Heineken
were established under terms that impose strict limitations on the decision-making powers of the SPE's
management and that result in Heineken receiving the majority of the benefits related to the SPE's
operations and net assets, being exposed to risks incident to the SPE's activities, and retaining the
majority of the residual or ownership risks related to the SPE or its assets.
(iii) Associates
Associates are those entities in which Heineken has significant influence, but not control, over the financial
and operating policies. Significant influence is presumed to exist when the Group holds between 20 and 50
per cent of the voting power of another entity. The consolidated financial statements include Heineken's
share of the total recognised income and expenses of associates on an equity-accounted basis, from the date
that significant influence commences until the date that significant influence ceases. When Heineken's share
of losses exceeds the carrying amount of the associate, the carrying amount is reduced to nil and recognition
of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that Heineken has an obligation or has made a payment
on behalf of the associate.
(iv) Joint ventures
Joint ventures (JVs) are those entities over whose activities Heineken has joint control, established by
contractual agreement and requiring unanimous consent for strategic financial and operating decisions.
The consolidated financial statements include Heineken's share of the total recognised income and expenses
of JVs on an equity-accounted basis, from the date that joint control commences until the date that joint
control ceases. When Heineken's share of losses exceeds the carrying amount of theJV, the carrying amount
is reduced to nil and recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that Heineken has an
obligation or has made a payment on behalf of the JV.
(v) Transactions eliminated on consolidation
Intra-Heineken balances and transactions, and any unrealised gains and losses or income and expenses
arising from intra-Heineken transactions, are eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements.
(d) Foreign currency
(i) Foreign currency transactions
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the respective functional currencies of Heineken entities
at the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies at the balance sheet date are retranslated to the functional currency at the exchange rate at that
date. The foreign currency gain or loss arising on monetary items is the difference between amortised cost in
the functional currency at the beginning of the period, adjusted for effective interest and payments during the
period, and the amortised cost in foreign currency translated at the exchange rate at the end of the period.
Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are measured at fair value are
retranslated to the functional currency at the exchange rate at the date that the fair value was determined.
Foreign currency differences arising on retranslation are recognised in the income statement, except for
differences arising on the retranslation of available-for-sale (equity) investments and foreign currency
differences arising on the retranslation of a financial liability designated as a hedge of a net investment.
Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are measured at cost remain
translated into the functional currency at historical exchange rates.