On August 23, 2004, the SEC's EDGAR system will be updated in order to support the redesign of Form 8-K.
The form will accommodate the additional disclosure requirements effective that day, which include eight new items and the transfer of two items from the periodic reports.
According to a Commission announcement, a new hierarchical numbering scheme has been introduced for the reportable events.
Some technical revisions are also being made.
Coincidentally, last week the SEC adopted some amendments to its Form 8-K release. The changes were largely technical, adding checkboxes that allow companies to satisfy certain disclosure requirements.
Among the changes was a revision of the requirement to disclose the source of funding under Item 2.01 (Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets) if a "material" relationship exists between the company and the source of funding (i.e., not the seller of the assets).
In addition, the amendment clarified that changes or waivers to a company's Code of Ethics must be disclosed within four business days (i.e., not five business days).
For a complete list of the amendments, a downloadable version of the EDGAR filer manual, or details on the 8-K changes effective August 23, refer to the box above, right.
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