3-82
IFRS3-5 (Continued)
54 An entity usually employs its assets to produce goods or services
capable of satisfying the wants or needs of customers; because
these goods or services can satisfy these wants or needs,
customers are prepared to pay for them and hence contribute to
the cash flow of the entity. Cash itself renders a service to the
entity because of its command over other resources.
(b) Liabilities
60 An essential characteristic of a liability is that the entity has a
present obligation. An obligation is a duty or responsibility to act
or perform in a certain way. Obligations may be legally enforce–
able as a consequence of a binding contract or statutory require–
61 A distinction needs to be drawn between a present obligation
and a future commitment. A decision by the management of an
entity to acquire assets in the future does not, of itself, give rise
to a present obligation. An obligation normally arises only when
the asset is delivered or the entity enters into an irrevocable
agreement to acquire the asset. In the latter case, the irrevocable
nature of the agreement means that the economic consequences