26. Receipts from sales of tangible personal property, except energy, and specified digital products purchased for use or consumption directly and exclusively in research and development in the experimental or laboratory sense are exempt from the tax imposed under the Sales and Use Tax Act. Such research and development shall not be deemed to include the ordinary testing or inspection of materials or products for quality control, efficiency surveys, management studies, consumer surveys, advertising, promotions or research in connection with literary, historical or similar projects.

L.1980, c.105, s.26; amended 1997, c.162, s.24; 2008, c.123, s.9; 2011, c.49, s.6.