As per Accounting Standard IAS 16, As asset shall be measured at its cost if Assets are qualified for recognition as P.P.E. The Element of cost of P.P.E will be comprise:

  • its purchase price, including import duties and non- refundable purchase taxes, after deducting trade discounts and rebates.
  • any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management.
  • the initial estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located, the obligation for which an entity incurs either when the item is acquired or as a consequence of having used the item during a particular period for purposes other than to produce inventories during that period.

So, No question arise on Purchase cost for Capitalization. Now We need to identify the Directly Attributable cost on Asset. IAS 16 also prescribe the few costs should be treated as Direct Attributable cost are as following:

1. costs of employee benefits (as defined in IAS 19 Employee Benefits) arising directly from the construction or acquisition of the item of property, plant and equipment;

From your Queries, Staff cost to the lab manager, This will be capitalized with asset if S/he solely provides service to bring this asset for capable of operation. So, This should be clear that whether Hiring lab manager only for this Asset purpose. Another scenario we can assume, Lab manager hire permanently and first S/he works on that particular asset to bring capable of operation and after that S/he will continue to support. In this case, Proportionate Staff cost will be capitalized by considering months of service provided to bring asset into capable of operation.

Technician Staff cost to set-up the equipment will be capitalized per IAS 16 as well.
  • costs of site preparation;
  • initial delivery and handling costs;
  • installation and assembly costs;
  • costs of testing whether the asset is functioning properly, after deducting the net proceeds from selling any items produced while bringing the asset to that location and condition (such as samples produced when testing equipment); and

From your query, test in pre-production the Equipment will be capitalized.

2. Professional fees
  • Requirements to substantiate Capitalization:
  • Relevant Documents for Asset.
  • Checking Asset purchase communication i.e, Demand requisition, approval from management etc.
  • Payment status to Vendors. 
  • Process to be followed for capitalization & depreciation:
  • Initial Cost will be capitalized on purchase date.
  • Subsequent cost will capitalized whenever it occurred. (i.e, Transaction Occurrence Date)

For Starting Depreciation, Clause 55 of IAS 16 prescribing that Depreciation of an asset begins when it is available for use, i.e, when it is in the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management.