1.The annual accounts shall comprise the balance sheet, the profit and loss account and the notes on the accounts. These documents shall constitute a composite whole.
Member States may permit or require the inclusion of other statements in the annual accounts in addition to the documents referred to in the first subparagraph.
2.They shall be drawn up clearly and in accordance with the provisions of this Directive.
3.The annual accounts shall give a true and fair view of the company's assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss.
4.Where the application of the provision of this Directive would not be sufficient to give a true and fair view within the meaning of paragraph 3, additional information must be given.
5.Where in exceptional cases the application of a provision of this Directive is incompatible with the obligation laid down in paragraph 3, that provision must be departed from in order to give a true and fair view within the meaning of paragraph 3. Any such departure must be disclosed in the notes on the accounts together with an explanation of the reasons for it and a statement of its effect on the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss. The Member States may define the exceptional cases in question and lay down the relevant special rules.
6.The Member States may authorize or require the disclosure in the annual accounts of other information as well as that which must be disclosed in accordance with this Directive.