1.4 Representation by an association of representatives

A group of at least two professional representatives and/or legal practitioners registered with the EPO as an association within the meaning of Rule 152(11) may be appointed collectively to represent a party under the association's name (see the notice from the EPO dated 8 July 2025 concerning associations of representatives, OJ EPO 2025, A48). Each member of the association may then perform procedural acts on behalf of the party, while correspondence from the EPO, according to Rule 130, is addressed to the association rather than to one particular member. Parties are recommended to clearly specify whether they wish to appoint the association – preferably by citing the association's name and representative number – or an individual representative belonging to that association, upon the appointment of the representative (see also A‑VIII, 1.8).

Registration of an association is free of charge. An association can be registered and its composition or data modified using the self-service function in MyEPO or by the Legal Division on request (OJ EPO 2025, A48).