Quality and AI in focus at the annual Main SACEPO meeting
The 58th meeting of the Standing Advisory Committee before the European Patent Office (SACEPO) focused on this year’s Quality Action Plan, the use of AI to enhance quality, the latest legal changes and the activities of the EPO Observatory and IP Lab.
On 16 June, 60 representatives, from leading industrial property associations, industry federations and European and international patent attorney associations worldwide convened for the annual Main SACEPO meeting, chaired by EPO Vice-President Christoph Ernst. Participants discussed recent and upcoming developments at the EPO and provided feedback for maintaining the highest quality standards in the European patent system.
In his welcome address, Steve Rowan, EPO Vice-President Patent Granting Process, highlighted the vital role of SACEPO members in supporting the EPO’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of its products and services: "Quality is not a static achievement. It is a discipline, a shared responsibility and a continuous journey of improvement and measurable impact on innovation". He also underlined the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in supporting the Office’s mission, noting that "these tools are only valuable if they strengthen our core mission: delivering quality, efficiency and legal certainty for users" and that they “enhance the capacities of people".
Steve Rowan also highlighted several EPO tools designed to improve access to patent knowledge and technology intelligence. These include Espacenet and several technology platforms, which provide access to millions of patent documents and curated technology collections; the Deep Tech Finder, which connects investors with researchers, startups and universities; and the Data Desk, which helps users explore patent and technology trends through interactive data and visualisations.
Quality actions and the increasing use of AI
The key quality achievements of 2025 were presented, alongside an update on the implementation of the Quality Action Plan 2026. The discussion highlighted the positive impact of targeted quality actions on examination, as well as outcomes of recent exchanges within the SACEPO Working Party on Quality (SACEPO WP/Q). The EPO also reaffirmed its continued investment in people and its commitment to listening and responding to users. The overall reaction was positive, with members expressing unanimous support for the quality developments presented.
As in previous years, the Stakeholder Quality Assurance Panels (SQAPs) will convene in October for three sessions, covering search reports and written opinions, grants and opposition, following the positive feedback received on the inaugural opposition session held in 2025.
Members were informed about the increasing use of AI in the patent granting process (PGP). Discussions focused on the transformative potential of AI to enhance efficiency and quality, while ensuring that EPO staff remain responsible for all decisions. The EPO’s human-centric approach was welcomed, as was the emphasis on using AI to strengthen the quality, consistency and completeness of work products rather than to substitute human reasoning.
Advancing the digital PGP and related legal changes
The EPO presented the next steps towards a fully digitalised and paperless PGP by April 2027, including the latest enhancements to MyEPO and the completion of DOCX filing, which supports an end-to-end digital workflow. SACEPO members welcomed the progress made and the EPO’s openness in addressing user feedback. One noted that MyEPO has “become a very functional system”, while others appreciated the transparency around further DOCX developments and looked forward to further details on the new legal framework underpinning the safeguards available in the event of outages.
Members were updated on the third basket of legal changes aiming at further simplifying the PGP. The measures for implementation in April 2027 cover the amendments upon entry into the European phase and in opposition, and a requirement to indicate their basis, as well as the removal of the requirement to file patent documents cited in opposition proceedings. Members provided positive feedback on the proposed changes. As for the indication of the basis for amendments, users noted that this reflects best practice.
Growing uptake of the Unitary Patent and expanding validation coverage
The EPO presented an overview of the Unitary Patent (UP) system operations from June 2023 to May 2026. Participants exchanged views on the growing uptake of the UP and the factors influencing users' filing strategies, while recognising the system as an increasingly mainstream option for patent protection in Europe.
Members also reviewed developments in the EPO’s validation programme. Highlights include several recent requests to open validation negotiations and the conclusion of negotiations with Angola. Beyond providing users with access to additional markets through a familiar and cost-effective procedure, the discussion addressed the selection of future validation partners, with views exchanged on the strategic, economic and co-operation benefits that validation agreements can bring to both users and partner countries. A new data-driven analysis of the validation system and its impact on the patent landscape was positively received by SACEPO members.
Genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge
Following the adoption of the WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GRATK) on 24 May 2024, the EPO outlined its approach to enhancing and broadening patent examiners’ access to non‑patent literature, with an emphasis on traditional knowledge databases. It also presented the key features of the treaty, including its disclosure requirement, and provided an initial assessment of potential implications. This prompted an engaging exchange, with participants expressing support for the “simple non-invasive process at the EPO”.
Updates from the EPO Observatory and IP Lab
Members were updated on the activities of the Observatory on Patents and Technology, including recently developed patent intelligence tools, published studies and results for the first quarter of 2026.
The EPO also presented selected IP Lab initiatives involving national patent offices across Europe, including the launch of the third convergence of practice cycle, and progress made by working groups on divisional applications and on internet disclosures. On substantive patent law harmonisation (SPLH), the EPO reported on the latest developments in the European alignment process. SACEPO members welcomed the updates and expressed strong support for the efforts to simplify and align practices throughout Europe for applicants everywhere.
