(paragraphs 5-8)

BC98 As noted in paragraph BC84, many lessees expressed concerns about the costs of applying the requirements of IFRS 16 to leases that are large in number but low in value. They suggested that such an exercise would require a significant amount of effort with potentially little effect on reported information.

BC99 In the light of these concerns, the IASB decided to provide a recognition exemption for leases of low-value assets. Consequently, IFRS 16 permits a lessee to elect, on a lease-by-lease basis, not to apply the recognition requirements of IFRS 16 to leases for which the underlying asset is of low value.

BC100 In developing the exemption, the IASB attempted to provide substantive relief to preparers while retaining the benefits of the requirements in IFRS 16 for users of financial statements. The IASB intended the exemption to apply to leases for which the underlying asset, when new, is of low value (such as leases of tablet and personal computers, small items of office furniture and telephones). At the time of reaching decisions about the exemption in 2015, the IASB had in mind leases of underlying assets with a value, when new, in the order of magnitude of US$5,000 or less. A lease will not qualify for the exemption if the nature of the underlying asset is such that, when new, its value is typically not low. The IASB also decided that the outcome of the assessment of whether an underlying asset is of low value should not be affected by the size, nature, or circumstances of the lessee - ie the exemption is based on the value, when new, of the asset being leased; it is not based on the size or nature of the entity that leases the asset.