European Patent Office
2026

4 - April

Overview

Article 28

Citation: OJ EPO 2026, A28

Online publication date: 30.4.2026

EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE

Information from the EPO

Decision of the President of the European Patent Office dated 22 April 2026 concerning electronic notification using ePCT

The President of the European Patent Office,

having regard to Articles 10(2)(a), 119 and 150(2) and Rules 125 and 127 of the European Patent Convention (EPC) and to sections 709 and 713 of the Administrative Instructions under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT),

having regard to the decision dated 25 March 2026 concerning the web-based service MyEPO and electronic notification to the Mailbox in proceedings under the EPC and the PCT (OJ EPO 2026, A20),

has decided as follows:

Article 1

Electronic notification using ePCT

  1. In proceedings before the EPO acting as receiving Office, International Searching Authority (ISA) or International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) under the PCT, electronic notification under Rule 127 EPC may also be effected using the ePCT service of the International Bureau of WIPO, if so requested by the international agent or applicant. This shall not apply in case of proceedings under Rule 45bis PCT and to communications issued by the EPO as receiving Office before transmittal of the record copy to the International Bureau of WIPO.

  2. Documents reach their destination within the meaning of Rule 127(2) EPC on the date the document is made available for retrieval in ePCT.

  3. For international agents and applicants having an activated Mailbox, notification will be effected, in parallel, to the Mailbox, in accordance with Article 2 of the decision dated 25 March 2026 concerning the web-based service MyEPO and electronic notification to the Mailbox in proceedings under the EPC and the PCT.1 The same applies to international agents and applicants having registered for electronic notification via Mailbox to receive communications from the EPO where it acts as ISA, Authority specified for supplementary search or IPEA ("PCT Link" service).

  4. In the case of electronic notification, no paper copies are notified in parallel.

Article 2

Entry into force

This decision enters into force on 1 June 2026.

Done at Munich, 22 April 2026

António CAMPINOS

President