The European Patent Office released a preview of the updates to the Guidelines for Examination, set to take effect on 1 April 2026. As a core reference for applicants, representatives, and examiners, these revisions will influence daily practice and the conduct of proceedings before the EPO.
In the linked PDF, we highlight the key updates to the Guidelines, placing them in context, and indicating their practical implications for practitioners. Such updates include:
Part A - new Chapters XII–XV provide detailed, route‑specific guidance on entering the European phase.
These chapters replace former Chapter E‑IX (Euro‑PCT) and consolidate material previously found in the Euro‑PCT Guide; at the same time, the Euro‑PCT Guide, the European Patent Guide, and the Unitary Patent Guide have been discontinued.
