Services & activities

The Office's core activity is the search and examination of patent applications and the grant of European patents. We also provide patent information and training services.

Our quality management is certified under ISO 9001 and is part of an integrated management system together with our ISO-certified processes for managing health and safety and information security.

The feedback of our users is very important to us. User consultation takes many different forms.

The Office works in close co-operation with the patent offices of the member states and other countries around the world.

The European Patent Academy provides patent-related training to lawyers, patent office staff, judges and other interested parties.

The Chief Economist unit provides expertise and analysis to foster well-informed policy debate on issues relating to patents, innovation and economic growth.

The Ombuds Office supports stakeholders who experience difficulties in their dealings with the EPO and who have exhausted the existing channels for resolving these difficulties.