Guidelines for the Amortization of Scientific and Technical Equipment have been published

(available only in Portuguese)

Following the clarification published in November by the FCT, the Portugal2020 Operational Programs released technical guidance on the accounting policy applicable to scientific and technical equipment in the context of R&D activities. These guidelines address the issues raised by institutions and are the result of FCT initiatives to promote a more appropriate context for accounting for depreciation expenses for this type of equipment. 

To be competitive and innovative, research must be supported by state-of-the-art equipment, which is subject to rapid technological obsolescence. With this in mind, SCTN entities may adopt different accounting methods:

 i) adjust the depreciation rate of the equipment to its actual level of usefulness, provided that this is validated by the Statutory Auditor (ROC) or Certified Accountant (CC) and recorded in the accounts; 

ii) define the useful life of the equipment based on its expected use, provided that this is justified on a case-by-case basis by the entity's management body and recorded in the accounts.

This understanding results from the analysis carried out by the FCT and the Operational Programs of the opinion of the Accounting Standardization Commission, following questions and requests raised by the scientific community.