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For international applications which are the subject of proceedings before the EPO in any of its functions (see point 5), the provisions of the PCT and its Regulations ("the PCT Rules") apply, supplemented by the provisions of the EPC.
As from the entry into force of EPC 2000 on 13 December 2007 the EPO has withdrawn all notifications of incompatibility with PCT provisions.[ 10 ]
OJ 2007, 692
In accordance with the principle of the prevalence of the PCT, applicants should refer to the PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination Guidelines (GL/ISPE and ISPE Guidelines) for information on search and examination practice and procedure before the EPO as ISA, SISA and IPEA. In these procedures the Guidelines for Examination in the European Patent Office (GL/EPO) apply only to the extent that they can be applied in conformity with the supplementary role of the EPC in the international phase (see point 16). Where the ISPE Guidelines give the International Authority a choice between different options, the EPO will follow the option most in line with its practice under the EPC as set out in Annex IV (see point 219).
In a number of cases the ISPE Guidelines leave a choice between alternative guidelines upon which each ISA/IPEA may rely as appropriate. The options are set out in appendices to the chapters of the ISPE Guidelines. A list of policy options chosen by the EPO is provided in Annex IV.
Moreover, in an agreement between the EPO and the International Bureau of WIPO ("Agreement EPO-WIPO") concerning the functioning of the EPO as International Authority (ISA, SISA and IPEA) all particulars of the work of the EPO in that capacity are set out. The agreement of 2 October 2007, currently in force, was last revised with effect from 1 April 2012.
OJ 2010, 304
OJ 2012, 256