epi marks 100th Council meeting

​Vice-President Christoph Ernst and epi President Peter Thomsen 

EPO Vice-President for Legal and International Affairs Christoph Ernst participated in a celebration to mark the 100^th Council meeting of the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (epi). The event, titled “epi Council – Past, Present and Future”, was held on 7 November 2025, just prior to the milestone meeting. 

​In his keynote speech, Christoph Ernst congratulated the epi on the pivotal role it has played in shaping the European patent system, ever since the epi first commenced operations in 1977. The Vice-President ‘s presence underscored the close partnership between the EPO and epi. 

A cornerstone of the European patent profession 

​The epi has been a cornerstone institution for European patent attorneys, working hand in hand with the Office to make the European patent system a lasting success. In his speech, Christoph Ernst highlighted several major achievements resulting from this co-operation, including the establishment of the European Patent Academy, the management and ongoing reform of the European Qualifying Examination (EQE), and the creation of the European Patent Administration Certification (EPAC). EPAC has recently opened new career opportunities and broadened professional pathways within the European patent profession. 

​Vice-President Ernst also emphasised epi’s active and constructive role in discussions on quality, the Stakeholder Quality Assurance Panels (SQAPs), examination standards, and digital services. Looking ahead, he stressed the importance of continuing to work together to address emerging challenges – from rapid advances in artificial intelligence and biotechnology to the ongoing digital transformation of the patent system. As innovation becomes increasingly global, he concluded, the partnership remains essential to ensuring that the European patent system continues to provide the gold standard for quality, legal certainty and professional excellence in the global patent landscape. 

User dialogue crucial to ensuring high-quality patents 

​Additionally, on 13 October, the EPO had its annual technical meeting with epi’s European Patent Practice Committee (EPPC) and Biotechnology Committee. On this occasion, the EPO delegation was led by EPO Vice-President Patent Granting Process Steve Rowan and chaired by Chief Operating Officer Angel Aledo Lopez. 

​Steve Rowan underlined the importance of user dialogue in achieving high-quality patents and outlined the progress made under the Strategic Plan 2028. Focus was put on sustainability, examiner recruitment and training, digital transformation, AI-driven tools such as the Legal Interactive Platform, and initiatives such as the Active Search Division and Quality Action Plan 2025. The meeting concluded with two breakout sessions, the first focused on legal and procedural aspects, and the second on biotechnology.