Scope & Objective

Objective: IAS 16 prescribes the accounting treatment for property, plant and equipment (PPE) to provide users with information about an entity's investment in PPE and changes in such investment.

  • Applies to all PPE unless another standard requires different treatment
  • Does not apply to biological assets, mineral rights, or PPE classified as held for sale
  • Key issues: recognition, measurement, depreciation, and impairment
Definition of PPE

Property, Plant and Equipment: Tangible items that are held for use in production/supply of goods/services, for rental, or for administrative purposes; and are expected to be used during more than one period.

  • Tangible Assets: Physical substance
  • Long-term Use: Expected to be used for more than one accounting period
  • Held for Business Operations: Not for sale in ordinary course of business

Examples: Land, buildings, machinery, vehicles, furniture, and equipment.

Recognition Criteria

An item of PPE should be recognized as an asset if:

CriterionDescription
Future Economic BenefitsProbable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity
Cost Reliably MeasuredCost of the asset can be measured reliably

Note: Initial costs include purchase price and directly attributable costs necessary to bring asset to working condition.

Measurement Models

Cost Model: PPE is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

Revaluation Model: PPE is carried at fair value less subsequent depreciation and impairment losses.

  • Entity must choose one model for entire class of PPE
  • Revaluations must be made regularly to ensure carrying amount doesn't differ materially from fair value
  • Increases in value go to revaluation surplus (OCI), decreases go to profit/loss
Practical Example:

Building purchased for $1,000,000 with 20-year life

After 5 years: Carrying amount = $750,000

Fair value = $900,000 → Revaluation surplus = $150,000

Depreciation
  • Systematic allocation of depreciable amount over useful life
  • Depreciable amount = Cost - Residual value
  • Methods: Straight-line, diminishing balance, units of production
  • Review depreciation method, useful life, and residual value annually
  • Land typically has unlimited useful life and is not depreciated
Derecognition
EventAccounting Treatment
DisposalCarrying amount removed; gain/loss recognized in P&L
RetirementCarrying amount removed; no future economic benefits expected
ExchangeAsset acquired measured at fair value unless exchange lacks commercial substance
Disclosure Requirements
  • Measurement bases used for PPE
  • Depreciation methods and useful lives/residual values
  • Reconciliation of carrying amount at beginning and end of period
  • Existence and amounts of restrictions on title
  • Expenditures for PPE in progress
  • Contractual commitments for PPE acquisitions
  • Compensation for PPE impaired, lost or given up