​​Annual meeting with epi​

​​EPO President António Campinos with epi President Peter Thomsen and their respective delegations 

On 27 May, a European Patent Office (EPO) delegation led by President Antonio Campinos met with the Institute of Professional Representatives (epi), marking the first meeting under Strategic Plan 2028. The exchange is part of the EPO’s policy to engage with the main actors of the IP ecosystem, to exchange views on strategic topics and share the most recent developments at the EPO. The meeting also provided an excellent opportunity to gather feedback from the epi on the quality of EPO products and services.  As part of our approach to quality, this feedback is essential to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.    

In his opening remarks, President Campinos highlighted the successful implementation of SP2023, including advancements in IT tools, the examination of AI-related inventions and the implementation of technology platforms, which put the considerable knowledge and experience of EPO at the service of the public on topics such as clean energy, cancer and space technologies. Emphasising the EPO’s continued focus on quality, he outlined future plans under the Quality Action Plan 2024 and this year's Stakeholder Quality Assurance Panels (SQAPs).  

Among other topics, the meeting delved into how recent reforms to the European Qualifying Examination (EQE) and the new European patent administration certification (EPAC) have modernised professional training and are helping to attract a broader spectrum of participants.   

epi President Peter Thomsen expressed his appreciation for the meeting providing an opportunity for both sides to discuss a range of topics and ideas. Participants from the epi and EPO both commented positively on the friendly exchanges held during the meeting as well as how they look forward to continuing to strengthen their collaboration.   

President Campinos and the epi highlighted the importance of this partnership in driving the EPO’s strategic initiatives, acknowledging the epi's contributions in fostering innovation and ensuring the sustainability of the patent system. ​​