https://www.epo.org/en/node/quality-dashboard
Quality dashboard
The Quality dashboard presents our key performance indicators (KPIs) on quality and is updated regularly to show the progress we make. This will help provide all stakeholders with a transparent picture of quality in the patent granting process at the EPO.
KPIs Search and Written Opinion
Directorate Quality Audit, DQA
Search and Written Opinion: Incorrect assessment of novelty or inventive step
Result 2023: 6%*
Goal 2024: < 5% *Sample size: 802 search products
Goal 2024: < 5% *Sample size: 802 search products
Directorate Quality Audit, DQA
Search: More relevant prior art found
Result 2023: 4%*
Goal 2024: < 4% *Sample size: 802 search products
Goal 2024: < 4% *Sample size: 802 search products
User Satisfaction Survey, USS
Users rating our search products as good or very good:
Achievement 2022/23: 80%
Goal 2024/25: ≥ 80%
Goal 2024/25: ≥ 80%
% of audited files with findings - audits carried out by our Directorate Quality Audit on a random sample of search products delivered by the operational teams. More than one finding can apply to each audited product.
Our User Satisfaction Survey is carried out every two years by an independent contractor.
The 2022/2023 survey involved interviews with 7 000 users.
The next USS results will become available in 2025.
Our User Satisfaction Survey is carried out every two years by an independent contractor.
The 2022/2023 survey involved interviews with 7 000 users.
The next USS results will become available in 2025.
KPIs Examination
Directorate Quality Audit, DQA
Grants: Incorrect assessment of novelty or inventive step
Result 2023: 7.9%*
Goal 2024: < 5% *Sample size: 1 050 grants
Goal 2024: < 5% *Sample size: 1 050 grants
Directorate Quality Audit, DQA
Grants: Findings on added subject-matter
Result 2023: 5%*
Goal 2024: < 5% *Sample size: 1 050 grants
Goal 2024: < 5% *Sample size: 1 050 grants
User Satisfaction Survey, USS
Users rating our examination products as good or very good:
Achievement 2022/23: 78%
Goal 2024/25: ≥ 80%
Goal 2024/25: ≥ 80%
BoA Outcomes
Boards of Appeal decisions on ex parte refusals:
New KPI to be developed by end of 2024
% of audited files with findings – audits carried by our Directorate Quality Audit out on a random sample of grants delivered by the operational teams. More than one finding can apply to each audited product.
Our User Satisfaction Survey is carried out every two years by an independent contractor.
The 2022/2023 survey involved interviews with 7 000 users.
The next USS results will become available in 2025.
Our User Satisfaction Survey is carried out every two years by an independent contractor.
The 2022/2023 survey involved interviews with 7 000 users.
The next USS results will become available in 2025.
KPI Opposition
BoA Outcomes
Boards of Appeal decisions on opposition:
New KPI to be developed by end of 2024
KPI Digitalisation
User Satisfaction Survey, USS
Users rating our online services as good or very good
Achievement 2022/23: 91%
Goal 2024/25: ≥ 91%
Goal 2024/25: ≥ 91%
Our User Satisfaction Survey is carried out every two years by an independent contractor.
The 2022/2023 survey involved interviews with 7 000 users.
The next USS results will become available in 2025.
The 2022/2023 survey involved interviews with 7 000 users.
The next USS results will become available in 2025.