Tell us your views on the latest EPC and PCT-EPO Guidelines

1 February 2023 

Today, the EPO published the preview version of the latest EPC and PCT-EPO Guidelines, which will enter into force on 1 March 2023. In parallel we have opened a public user consultation, giving you the opportunity to share your views on these latest Guidelines. Your feedback will enable us to better identify what matters to our users and help us improve the 2024 editions. 

The Guidelines for Examination in the European Patent Office ("EPC Guidelines") and the Guidelines for Search and Examination at the European Patent Office as PCT Authority ("PCT-EPO Guidelines") give instructions on the practices and procedures to be followed in the examination of European and international applications and patents in accordance with the European Patent Convention (EPC), the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and their Implementing Regulations. 

The Guidelines are a vital resource for illustrating the law and practice in proceedings before the EPO and are widely consulted by EPO examiners and external users. They are revised annually to keep them aligned with the latest legal and procedural developments. 

In accordance with the annual revision cycle, you are invited to submit your comments on the 2023 editions in any one of the EPO's three official languages via an online form, which will be open until 4 April. The anonymised comments will be discussed with the members of the SACEPO Working Party on Guidelines in a meeting scheduled for May 2023. 

We value your input and look forward to receiving your feedback. 

Further information: 

Comment on the latest EPC or PCT-EPO Guidelines

Notice from the European Patent Office dated 12 December 2022 concerning the updating of the Guidelines for Examination in the European Patent Office (OJ EPO 2023, A6)

Notice from the European Patent Office dated 12 December 2022 concerning the updating of the Guidelines for Search and Examination at the European Patent Office as PCT Authority (PCT-EPO Guidelines) (OJ EPO 2023, A7)

EPO - Guidelines revision cycle 

Guidelines for Examination in the European Patent Office 

Guidelines for Search and Examination at the EPO as PCT Authority