3.1 General
Overview
3.1 General
3.1.001Since 1 July 2010 the EPO, in its capacity as an International Authority under the PCT, has acted not only as an ISA and an IPEA, but also as a Supplementary International Searching Authority (SISA). This chapter first sets out the procedure before the EPO acting as ISA, and at the end provides information on the procedure before the EPO acting as SISA (see points 3.4.001 ff). Chapter 4 provides information on the procedure before the EPO acting as IPEA.
3.1.002The Agreement EPO-WIPO sets out particulars of the procedures before the EPO as an International Authority. The current agreement entered into force on 1 January 2018. Annex A of the agreement was revised with effect from 1 April 2018; Annex D, Part I, was last revised with effect from 1 April 2022 and Annex D, Part II, paragraph 4, was last revised with effect from 1 April 2020.