5.1. Filing fee, examination fee

The RFees contain provisions regulating fee reductions for certain categories of applicant. By decision of 14 December 2023 (OJ 2024, A3), the Administrative Council amended R. 6 EPC and Art. 14 RFees and adopted new R. 7a and 7b EPC. These changes introduced a new fee reduction scheme specifically for micro-entities, which complements the existing support measures for small entities, and in particular the language-related fee reductions. The eligibility requirements for any language-related fee reductions are now provided for in Art. 14(4) EPC and R. 7a(1) and (2) EPC (previously R. 6(3) and 6(4) EPC).

Article 14(1) RFees defines the percentage of the language-related reduction of the filing fee and the examination fee provided for in R. 7a, paragraphs 1 and 3, EPC. For relevant decisions, see chapter III.F.6.

Article 14(2) RFees defines the percentage reduction of the examination fee for certain Euro-PCT applications having entered the regional phase. The reduction does not apply to divisional applications (J 1/09, confirming J 14/07).