Quality dashboard: quarterly update
Today the European Patent Office (EPO) updated its Quality dashboard to reflect quality audit figures from the last quarter of 2025.
Search KPIs
The time period for the rolling average of search KPIs was extended from 12 to 24 months in the third quarter of 2025, in light of the consistently strong quality of audited search files. The latest figures based on the 24-month rolling average confirmed this high level of quality in the fourth quarter, with 94.0% of audited searches having no findings related to novelty, inventive step or added subject-matter.
The year closed with both search audit KPIs showing improvements. The target was achieved for findings related to closer prior art and well within reach for those related to incorrect assessment of novelty or inventive step.
Examination KPIs
In the fourth quarter, 81.2% of audited grants had no findings whatsoever, while 88.8% had no findings potentially affecting their validity, meaning no findings related to novelty, inventive step or added subject-matter in the independent claims. This represents a slight improvement compared to the previous quarter.
Findings related to added subject-matter, which have been the most frequent in grants in previous quarters, decreased from 5.1% to 4.6% of audited files, thus achieving the 5% KPI target.
More on the Quality dashboard
Launched in March 2024, the Quality dashboard fosters transparency by delivering regular updates on quality standards and user satisfaction. By presenting essential key performance indicators (KPIs), it provides stakeholders with a clear and comprehensive overview of quality in the EPO’s patent granting process. The dashboard builds on the annual Quality Action Plan, which defines targeted actions aimed at enhancing the quality of the EPO’s products and services.
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