Integrated management at the EPO
Our integrated management system (IMS) consolidates all of our organisation's systems and processes into one overall framework, enabling us to work more effectively as a single unit with unified objectives. The IMS is designed to foster a collaborative and holistic management approach, supporting a positive continuous improvement culture, underpinned by effective quality and risk management frameworks.
We apply ISO standards to enable the EPO to continually improve the delivery of high-quality products and services to our users, safeguard the environment and the health and safety of our staff and stakeholders, and protect the data and information with which we are entrusted.
- ISO 9001 on quality management – applied since 2014 in managing the quality of the patent process and since 2022 in managing quality throughout the Office
- ISO 45001 on occupational health and safety management – applied since 2020 in safeguarding the health and safety of our staff and visitors
- ISO 27001 on information security – applied since 2022 in protecting data entrusted to us
- ISO 14001 on environmental management – applied since 2025
Each year independent external ISO auditors conduct a certification process confirming that we comply with these standards.
Our ISO certificates underscore our commitment to organisational excellence, safety and security:
To help us reduce our environmental footprint, the EPO has adhered to the European Commission’s Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) since 2009, as detailed in the Environmental Sustainability page.