Some of the choices made through the ongoing international accounting normalisation process show that the IASB has adopted norms for controlling (images) rather than for ruling. Controlling supposes that economical and social agents become official actors in the negotiation. A focus on accounting norms applied to minerals exploration costs suggest that accounting regulation can sometimes be governed by political matters. Considering the notable exception allowed by IFRS 6, thanks to which oil companies can circumvent the paragraphs 11-12 of IAS 8, this article addresses the legitimacy and effective targets of the international accounting normalisation. The question of the ethical status of the board is then brought up.
