GWW: Buying Hardware

Reimbursement

Hardware will be reimbursed based on actual costs incurred. However, the total budget for hardware can never be adjusted upward since the respective items, Technical Assistance and Hardware cannot be mutually offset.

Market conformity checks

SGS certificates

RVO commissions SGS - a supplier of independent inspection, verification and certification services - to determine whether the prices for hardware in your project are following the current market rates. The final amount of subsidy for hardware is based on the price determined in the Market Conformity certificates issued by SGS.
 
You can submit a maximum of 3 requests for a Market Conformity Check (RMCCs, see the format below) at the expense of RVO during your project. If you choose to submit more requests, the costs of the additional RMCCs are at the project partners' own expense.
 
Please note that the applicant is responsible for arranging the Market Conformity Checks. You can communicate directly with SGS to request a Market Conformity procedure. After finalising the Market Conformity Check, SGS will send the original version of the certificate to RVO while sending a digital copy to the applicant.

When to submit an RMCC

You can submit an RMCC for all second-hand hardware and items in your Project Hardware List that cost €25,000 or more. In the case of second-hand goods, SGS also checks the minimum quality requirements.
 
At the end of your project, at least 90% of all project hardware costs must be checked by SGS. It is possible that the hardware items that exceed €25,000 do not add up to 90% of your project hardware costs. In that case, you must add hardware items to your RMCC until they do.
 
We advise you to submit an RMCC after large hardware purchases and after purchasing second-hand hardware for the following reasons:

• for administrative efficiency: it gets more complicated to collect the required documents if considerable time passes since purchasing the hardware;
• to limit your risks; for example, a fire can destroy your hardware between purchase and RMCC;
• to prevent devaluation, the market value of second-hand hardware is determined based on the date of visual inspection.

Hardware invoices

You do not have to send hardware invoices directly, as we receive the invoices for more than 90% of the project hardware costs from SGS. If determining your final subsidy amount requires more information, we may ask for additional invoices.
 
Hardware costs are only eligible when they are following the current market rates. If SGS indicates that the stated hardware price is not in line with current market rates, RVO must maintain the SGS rate in determining your final subsidy amount.

Forms