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Significant Accounting Policies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Notes to Financial Statements 
Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies

 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States applicable to a going concern and reflect the policies outlined below.

(a) Cash and Cash Equivalents.

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of less than three months at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with several financial institutions.

 (b) Inventories and Cost of Sales

The Company has four major classes of inventory: finished goods, work in progress, raw materials and supplies. In all classes, inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Cost of sales includes all expenditures incurred in bringing the goods to the point of sale. Inventory costs and costs of sales include direct costs of the raw material, inbound freight charges, warehousing costs, handling costs (receiving and purchasing) and utilities and overhead expenses related to the Company’s manufacturing and processing facilities.

(c) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts when management estimates collectibility to be uncertain. Accounts receivable are continually reviewed to determine which, if any, accounts are doubtful of collection. In making the determination of the appropriate allowance amount, the Company considers current economic and industry conditions, relationships with each significant customer, overall customer credit-worthiness and historical experience.

(d) Property, Equipment and Leaseholds.

The following assets are recorded at cost and depreciated using the methods and annual rates shown below:

Computer hardware   30% Declining balance
Automobile   30% Declining balance
Trade show booth   30% Declining balance
Furniture and fixtures   20% Declining balance
Manufacturing equipment   20% Declining balance
Office equipment   20% Declining balance
Building and improvements   10% Declining balance
Leasehold improvements   Straight-line over lease term

 

Depreciation is recorded at half for the year the assets are first purchased. Property and equipment are written down to net realizable value when management determines there has been a change in circumstances which indicates its carrying amount may not be recoverable. No write-downs have been necessary to date.

Costs capitalized on self-constructed assets classified as plant under construction, include contracted costs and supplies. The Company does not commence depreciating its plant under construction until it becomes operational.

 

(e) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets.

In accordance with FASB Codification Topic 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment (ASC 360), the Company reviews long-lived assets, including, but not limited to, property and equipment, patents and other assets, for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amounts of assets may not be recoverable. The carrying value of long-lived assets is assessed for impairment by evaluating operating performance and future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying assets. If the sum of the expected future cash flows of an asset is less than its carrying value, an impairment measurement is indicated. Impairment charges are recorded to the extent that an asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. There were no impairment charges during the periods presented.

(f) Foreign Currency.

The functional currency of one of the Company’s subsidiaries is the Canadian Dollar. The translation of the Canadian Dollar to the reporting currency of the U.S. Dollar is performed for assets and liabilities using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expense transactions are translated using average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Translation adjustments arising on conversion of the financial statements from the subsidiary’s functional currency, Canadian Dollars, into the reporting currency, U.S. Dollars, are excluded from the determination of income (loss) and are disclosed as other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity.

Foreign exchange gains and losses relating to transactions not denominated in the applicable local currency are included in operating income (loss).

(g) Revenue Recognition.

Revenue from product sales is recognized at the time the product is shipped since title and risk of loss is transferred to the purchaser upon delivery to the carrier. Shipments are made F.O.B. shipping point. The Company recognizes revenue when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery to the carrier has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and there are no significant remaining performance obligations. When significant post-delivery obligations exist, revenue is deferred until such obligations are fulfilled. To date there have been no such significant post-delivery obligations.

Provisions are made at the time the related revenue is recognized for estimated product returns. Since the Company’s inception, product returns have been insignificant; therefore no provision has been established for estimated product returns.

(h) Stock Issued in Exchange for Services.

The Company’s common stock issued in exchange for services is valued at an estimated fair market value based upon trading prices of the Company’s common stock on the dates of the stock transactions. The corresponding expense of the services rendered is recognized over the period that the services are performed.

(i) Stock-based Compensation.

The Company recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payments, in accordance with FASB Codification Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation, (ASC 718). Under the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718, the Company recognizes share-based compensation expense, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, over the requisite service period of the award.

  

The fair value at grant date of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the stock option vesting period based on the estimated number of stock options that are expected to vest.

(j) Comprehensive Income.

Other comprehensive income refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under generally accepted accounting principles are included in comprehensive income, but are excluded from net income as these amounts are recorded directly as an adjustment to stockholders’ equity. The Company’s other comprehensive income is primarily comprised of unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses.

 (k) Income (loss) Per Share.

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding in the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share are calculated giving effect to the potential dilution of the exercise of options and warrants. Common equivalent shares, composed of incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants are included in diluted net income per share to the extent that these shares are dilutive. Common equivalent shares that have an anti-dilutive effect on net income per share have been excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

 (l) Use of Estimates.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and would impact the results of operations and cash flows.

(m) Financial Instruments.

The fair market value of the Company’s financial instruments comprising cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities were estimated to approximate their carrying values due to immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The Company maintains cash balances at financial institutions which at times, exceed federally insured amounts. The Company has not experienced any material losses in such accounts.

 

The Company is exposed to foreign exchange and interest rate risk to the extent that market value rate fluctuations materially differ from financial assets and liabilities, subject to fixed long-term rates.

 

(n) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

In August 2009, an update was made to Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures — “Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value.” This update permits entities to measure the fair value of liabilities, in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for an identical liability is not available, using a valuation technique that uses a quoted price of an identical liability when traded as an asset, quoted prices for similar liabilities or similar liabilities when traded as assets or the income or market approach that is consistent with the principles of Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. Effective upon issuance, the Company has adopted this guidance with no material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs described below, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value.

 

 Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

 

Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

 

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities for all periods presented approximate their respective carrying amounts due to the short term nature of these financial instruments. Long term debt relates to borrowings from governmental entities and as such no interest has been imputed on the non-interest bearing loan.

 

(o) Contingencies

Certain conditions may exist as of the date the financial statements are issued, which may result in a loss to the Company but which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. The Company's management and its legal counsel assess such contingent liabilities, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment. In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or unasserted claims that may result in such proceedings, the Company's legal counsel evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims as well as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought therein.

 

(p) Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance so that the assets are recognized only to the extent that when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized.

 

Per FASB ASC 740 “Income taxes” under the liability method, it is the Company’s policy to provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties based upon management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. At September 30, 2011, the Company believes it has appropriately accounted for any unrecognized tax benefits. To the extent the Company prevails in matters for which a liability for an unrecognized benefit is established or is required to pay amounts in excess of the liability, the Company’s effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may be affected. Interest and penalties associated with the Company’s tax positions are recorded as Interest Expense.

 

(q) Risk Management

 

The Company’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its account receivables. The amounts presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are net of allowances for doubtful accounts, estimated by the Company’s management based on prior experience and the current economic environment. The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to the financial instruments. Credit exposure is minimized by dealing with only credit worthy counterparties. Accounts receivable for the Company’s three primary customers totals $1,893,827 (70%) as at September 30, 2011 (2010 - $1,184,245 or 59%). 

 

The credit risk on cash and cash equivalents is limited because the Company limits its exposure to credit loss by placing its cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions.

 

The Company is not exposed to significant interest rate risk to the extent that the long term debt maintained from the foreign government agencies is subject to a fixed rate of interest.

 

In order to manage its exposure to foreign exchange risks, the Company is closely monitoring the fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates and the impact on the value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities.

 

( r ) Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-29, ―Business Combinations (Topic 805): Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations (―ASU 2010-29). The amendments in this ASU specifies that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The amendments also expand the supplementary pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. The amendments are effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-29 on January 1, 2011 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, ―Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts (―ASU 2010-28). For reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts, this ASU requires that an entity perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with the existing guidance and examples, which require that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-28 on January 1, 2011 did not have an impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(s) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The amendments in this Update are intended to result in convergence between U.S. GAAP and IFRS requirements for measurement of, and disclosures about, fair value. ASU 2011-04 clarifies or changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements particularly for Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments in this update are to be applied prospectively. The amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard may have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income. This guidance eliminates the current option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity. The guidance allows two presentation alternatives: (1) present items of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement, referred to as the statement of comprehensive income; or (2) in two separate, but consecutive, statements of net income and other comprehensive income. This standard is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, but full retrospective application is required under both sets of accounting standards. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard may have on its consolidated financial statements.