UKEB Proactive Research

Research projects relate directly to the UKEB's guiding principle of thought leadership as well as its other three guiding principles, as follows:

1. Accountability: research projects are informed by relevant evidence and by consultation with UK stakeholders.
2. Independence: whilst research projects may involve collaboration with others, the UKEB will assess projects independently and act independently in the interests of the UK long-term public good.
3. Transparency: research projects will include a feedback statement to allow stakeholders to understand the conclusions reached.

Research projects build on, and complement, the UKEB’s influencing strategy. Their objective is to influence and improve financial reporting both in the UK and globally by:

1. identifying, and promoting, new ways of thinking about, and solving, deficiencies in financial reporting, new and emerging issues, and complex financial reporting problems.
2. influencing the long-term agenda and development of international accounting standards.
3. supporting the work of the IFRS Foundation and others responsible for international accounting standards.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets is the UKEB’s primary research priority given:

• strong stakeholder support and the existing UKEB research base;
• direct alignment with an active IASB project; and
• a clear opportunity to influence international standard-setting.

Proposed research

The UKEB will continue to build on its existing work, with the objective of developing key principles that could support future standard-setting, including:

• recognition and measurement of intangible items; and
• improved disclosure of intangible resources.

A detailed research proposal is expected to be presented in Q3 2026.

In addition, the UKEB will undertake targeted research on digital assets. This reflects both stakeholder feedback that specifically identified this topic, and the IASB’s addition of cryptoassets to its research pipeline (November 2025). Research in this area will complement, and contribute to, the existing UKEB intangibles research and support the Board in responding to future IASB work.

This work will involve:

• desk-based research;
• analysis of financial statements;
• engagement with preparers and market participants.

This research will be descriptive in nature, and focused on understanding the prevalence and nature of cryptoassets in the UK listed company environment. Given current resource prioritisation for the Secretariat, this work will be outsourced.

Environmental Credits

Environmental credits is the second priority research theme, reflecting:

• strong stakeholder support;
• increasing policy relevance in the context of net zero; and
• evidence of diversity in accounting practice.

The topic is closely linked to intangible assets but raises broader accounting questions beyond just asset recognition. It also builds on research previously undertaken by the UKEB linked to climate-related matters and connectivity between IASB and ISSB standards ( Climate-related Matters).

The IASB has also identified pollutant pricing mechanisms as a potential future research topic (November 2025), and the research would support the UKEB in responding to any future IASB project in this area.

Proposed research

The UKEB expects to undertake a comprehensive research project to:

• analyse the extent and nature of environmental credit schemes;
• assess current accounting treatments and disclosures;
• identify areas of diversity and inconsistency; and
• consider potential principles-based approaches.

The work will include:

• desk-based research and financial statement analysis;
• market analysis of voluntary and regulatory schemes;
• stakeholder engagement.

This initial research will be descriptive in nature, and focused on understanding the prevalence and nature of environmental credits in the UK listed company environment. Given current resource prioritisation for the Secretariat, we expect that this work will be outsourced. A detailed proposal is expected to be presented to the Board in the second half of 2026.

Ad Hoc Research

The UKEB undertakes a range of ad hoc research relevant to projects it is undertaking. These projects may be incorporated into existing influencing and endorsement projects, or may be standalone research projects. The research is generally designed to provide the Board with additional evidence to support their decision making, and contribute to international meetings.

Currently the UKEB is undertaking four ad hoc projects:

• Rate Regulated Activities wider economic effects report. This forms part of the IFRS 20 endorsement work and is being outsourced due to its specialised nature.
• Users of capital markets analysis. This has emerged from the UKEB’s IFRS 20 endorsement work, though it will have wider implications for the work of the UKEB. It is being undertaken by the UKEB’s economics team.
• IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts: Capital Markets Effects report. This forms part of the UKEB’s Postimplementation Review of IFRS 17 and is being outsourced due to resource constraints.
• Hedge accounting (in the context of the IFRS 9 PIR of hedging)

Future ad hoc research will be driven by:

• IASB developments; and
• UKEB project priorities.

Potential areas include:

• levies and non-reciprocal transactions (in the context of provisions).

Ad hoc work may be undertaken internally or outsourced, depending on nature and resource availability, with proposals brought to the Board as part of the normal project cycle.