Young innovative company certification

Automatic access to the Innovative SME Register

AENOR certification gives automatic access to the Public Register of Innovative SMEs (under the authority of the Directorate-General for Innovation and Competitiveness, of the Ministry of the Economy and Business); for the first time, being registered enables companies to reconcile a 40% rebate in social security contributions for research personnel with a deduction of up to 42% of R&D&I expenses of Corporation Tax.

The Young Innovative Company certificate of conformity is based on the AENOR technical specification EA 0043, which establishes the requirements for a company to be considered as a Young Innovative Company.

Among others, it indicates that the company must define its innovation strategy, and identify the main R&D&i activities to carry out. Thus, it must develop a training and business plan that describe the most significant qualities and advantages of the strategy, as well as the market to which it is destined, and a forecast of the return, solvency and liquidity of the project.

With regards to prior requirements, the company shall demonstrate that its expenses in research, development and technological innovation represent at least 15% of the total costs during the two previous fiscal years (or the last fiscal year if the company is less than two years old).