Final answer:
Directly attributable costs of PPE include specific expenses related to the acquisition and preparation of PPE for use, such as purchase costs, duties, and testing fees. Accurate accounting of these costs is essential for both businesses and governments, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Step-by-step explanation:
Directly attributable costs of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are the costs that can be identified specifically with the acquisition, production, and bringing the PPE to its working condition for its intended use. Examples of such costs include the purchase price of PPE, import duties, handling and delivery charges, installation and assembly costs, professional fees (e.g., architects, engineers), and the cost of testing to ensure the PPE is functioning properly.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of PPE was underscored as a critical component for the safety of medical personnel. As a result, PPE has not only been a matter of public health but also of economic consideration. The procurement of PPE involved dealing with substantial expenditures where directly attributable costs are a significant factor, especially given the value of having a reliable stockpile of medical equipment, including PPE, which was highlighted as being dangerously low before the pandemic escalated.
It is crucial for businesses and governments to accurately account for these costs, ensuring that they are appropriately capitalized on the balance sheet rather than being expensed immediately, in accordance with relevant accounting standards.
The complete question is: What are directly attributable costs of PPE? is: