According to IAS 16, what does property, plant, and equipment cover?

The correct choice emphasizes that property, plant, and equipment (PPE) encompasses tangible assets that are utilized in the production of goods or the provision of services, with the expectation that they will be employed over more than one accounting period. This aligns with the definition provided by IAS 16, which describes PPE as assets that are used in the operation of a business and are not held for immediate sale in the ordinary course of business, thereby considering their longevity and role in generating economic benefits over time.

This focus on the expected duration of use and their function in production or service delivery differentiates these assets from those meant for administrative purposes or immediate sale. Assets solely held for administrative tasks or acquired strictly for investment do not fit the criteria outlined by IAS 16 for property, plant, and equipment, which is specifically oriented towards the operational use of assets.