Article 7
Review of renewal fee level and report on specific entities

No later than five years from the date of application of Regulation (EU) No 1257/2012, and every five years thereafter,

(a)the European Patent Office shall submit a report to the Select Committee of the Administrative Council assessing the financial impact of the European patent with unitary effect on the budget of the European Patent Organisation and on the renewal fee income of the participating Member States and, where necessary, make an appropriate proposal for adjusting the level of renewal fees; 

(b)the European Patent Office shall, after consultation of the European Commission, submit a report to the Select Committee of the Administrative Council on the use of the European patent with unitary effect by specific entities, such as small and medium-sized enterprises, and, where necessary, make proposals with a view to improving their access to the European patent with unitary effect.