1. Scope of Part B

Part B is about European searches, i.e. searches the EPO search divisions perform for European patent applications. They also carry out other types of search (see B‑II, 4.4 to B‑II, 4.6). These include searches under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which are dealt with in the PCT Search and Examination Guidelines and in Part B of the Guidelines for Search and Examination at the EPO as PCT Authority.