4.8 Reference signs 

The description and drawings need to be consistent with one another, especially in the matter of reference numbers and other signs, and each number or sign must be explained. However, where as a result of amendments to the description whole passages are deleted, it may be tedious to delete all superfluous references from the drawings and in such a case the examining division does not pursue an objection under Art. 1(2)(i) of the decision of the President of the EPO dated 25 November 2022 (OJ EPO 2022, A113) as to consistency too rigorously. The reverse situation should never occur, i.e. all reference numbers or signs used in the description or claims must also appear on the drawings.