IFRS: Initial Recognition: Research and Development Costs
  • Charge all research cost to expense. [IAS 38.54]
  • Development costs are capitalised only after technical and commercial feasibility of the asset for sale or use have been established. This means that the enterprise must intend and be able to complete the intangible asset and either use it or sell it and be able to demonstrate how the asset will generate future economic benefits. [IAS 38.57]
If an enterprise cannot distinguish the research phase of an internal project to create an intangible asset from the development phase, the enterprise treats the expenditure for that project as if it were incurred in the research phase only.

and a Longer version:

52. To assess whether an internally generated  intangible asset  meets the criteria for recognition, an entity classifies the generation of the asset  into:

(a)   a  research  phase; and

(b)   a  development  phase.

Although the terms ‘research’ and ‘development’ are defined, the terms ‘research phase’ and ‘development phase’ have a broader meaning for the purpose of this Standard.

53. If an entity cannot distinguish the  research  phase from the  development  phase of an internal project to create an  intangible asset, the entity treats the expenditure on that project as if it were incurred in the research phase only.

Research phase

54. No  intangible asset  arising from  research  (or from the research phase of an internal project) shall be recognised. Expenditure on research (or on the research phase of an internal project) shall be recognised as an expense when it is incurred.

55. In the  research  phase of an internal project, an entity cannot demonstrate that an  intangible asset  exists that will generate probable future economic benefits. Therefore, this expenditure is recognised as an expense when it is incurred.

56. Examples of  research  activities are:

(a)   activities aimed at obtaining new knowledge;

(b)   the search for, evaluation and final selection of, applications of research findings or other knowledge;

(c)   the search for alternatives for materials, devices, products, processes, systems or services; and

(d)   the formulation, design, evaluation and final selection of possible alternatives for new or improved materials, devices, products, processes, systems or services.

Development phase

57. An  intangible asset  arising from  development  (or from the development phase of an internal project) shall be recognised if, and only if, an entity can demonstrate all of the following:

(a)   the technical feasibility of completing the intangible  asset  so that it will be available for use or sale.

(b)   its intention to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it.

(c)   its ability to use or sell the intangible asset.

(d)   how the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits. Among other things, the entity can demonstrate the existence of a market for the output of the intangible asset or the intangible asset itself or, if it is to be used internally, the usefulness of the intangible asset.

(e)   the availability of adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the intangible asset.

(f)   its ability to measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development.

58. In the  development  phase of an internal project, an entity can, in some instances, identify an  intangible asset  and demonstrate that the  asset  will generate probable future economic benefits. This is because the development phase of a project is further advanced than the  research  phase.

59. Examples of  development  activities are:

(a)   the design, construction and testing of pre production or pre use prototypes and models;

(b)   the design of tools, jigs, moulds and dies involving new technology;

(c)   the design, construction and operation of a pilot plant that is not of a scale economically feasible for commercial production; and

(d)   the design, construction and testing of a chosen alternative for new or improved materials, devices, products, processes, systems or services

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