T 0860/93 (Protective coating compositions) of 29.12.1993

1. Where a quality is expressed in a claim as being within a given numerical range, the method for measuring that quality must either be general technical knowledge, so that no explicit description is needed, or a method of measuring that quality needs to be identified (decision T 124/85 of 14 December 1987 - not reported in OJ EPO - followed). In contrast, where a claim specifies a relative quality, in this case that the products should be "water-soluble", it is not normally necessary to identify any method for its determination.

2. The provision of Article 69(1) EPC, according to which the description and drawings shall be used to interpret the claims, applies also to the clarity requirement of Article 84 EPC, provided that the claims are not self-contradictory (decision T 454/89 of 11 March 1991 - not published in OJ EPO - explained).