Singapore proposes new standard for businesses to disclose intangible assets

It encourages enterprises to report beyond the regular accounting standards.

The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) have introduced a new framework known as the Intangibles Disclosure Framework (IDF). This framework is among the first of its kind globally and aims to enhance the disclosure and communication of the value of intangible assets (IA), including brand value, patents, and registered designs. 

Enterprises are encouraged to disclose IA beyond what is typically recognised under accounting standards, such as human capital and internally generated intangibles.

A recent IPOS survey revealed that four out of five enterprises wish to leverage their IA for business purposes, including securing financing. 

The IDF is structured around four key pillars:

• Strategy: Assists enterprises in communicating how their IA contribute to their overall corporate strategy.
• Identification: Recommends categorization of IA based on their nature and characteristics to facilitate comparability.
• Measurement: Guides enterprises and stakeholders in assessing the performance of IA using relevant metrics.
• Management: Aids enterprises in identifying, assessing, and managing risks and opportunities related to their IA.

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In addition to the IDF, enterprises can access new resources to effectively manage their intellectual property (IP). 

These resources include the GoBusiness IP Grow platform, the IP Ready program, and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Singapore Business Federation.

The event also featured the announcement of the winners of the WIPO-IPOS IP for Innovation Awards, recognizing outstanding use of IP in various sectors, including biotech, entertainment, and transport.

The IDF is a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors, spearheaded by IPOS and ACRA. It was developed by an industry working group comprising experts from the accounting, valuation, legal, and finance sectors.