EPO has initiated a public consultation process on Guidelines 2021 which came into force. Comments can be submitted online in any of the EPO's three official languages ​​until April 12, 2021.

Guidelines provide instructions on the practices and procedures followed in the examination of applications and patents. Furthermore, the Guidelines exemplify law and practice in proceedings before EPO. This resource is renewed annually after extensive consultation to keep it in line with recent legal and procedural developments.

Comments submitted for consultation will be discussed with members of the SACEPO Working Party on Guidelines at the meeting scheduled for May 2021.