SACEPO Working Party on Quality: focus on this year’s quality actions and SQAPs findings

User representatives discussed the outcomes of the EPO’s Quality Action Plan 2025 and the Stakeholder Quality Assurance Panels (SQAPs), developments in the Unitary Patent system and the results of the latest User Satisfaction Survey. These findings will feed into the Quality Action Plan 2026, driving further improvement.

On 25 November, the SACEPO Working Party on Quality (WP/Q) met online to discuss quality-related developments in the European patent system, bringing together over 100 external stakeholders and EPO experts.

In his opening address, EPO President António Campinos recalled that “quality is both a shared journey and a shared responsibility between patent offices, attorneys and applicants,” setting the tone for an interactive and engaging session.

Quality Action Plan 2025 delivers measurable gains

The EPO confirmed that the positive impact of the Active Search Divisions was reflected in user feedback and in improved search quality audit results. Further actions that resulted in fewer grant quality audit findings were highlighted, including strengthening the documentation of added subject-matter checks by divisions. In response to requests from members, the Office also outlined follow-up actions from the 2024 clarity workshop, including updated training materials and a proposed revision of the section on clarity in the Guidelines.

Further updates highlighted significant progress in the pilot using artificial intelligence (AI) to support minute writing in oral proceedings. Since its launch in May, the pilot has covered about 100 cases and received positive feedback from examining and opposition divisions and parties, particularly regarding structure, language, and consistency. Minute writers report a 35% time saving.

AI-assisted tools are also evolving in classification, file allocation, pre-search, machine translation and the Legal Interactive Platform, supporting the consistent application of patent law. On the subject of potential risks posed by AI, the EPO reassured participants that it is committed to a human-centric approach, as outlined in our AI Policy. The Office also invests heavily in embedding safeguards in its tools and training staff in the appropriate use of AI. Given the interest in the topic, users requested that it be included as a follow-up item at the next meeting.

Stakeholder Quality Assurance Panels (SQAPs): key findings and next steps

A key highlight was the presentation of findings from October’s SQAPs. Eighteen panels assessed over 100 files with 66 expert assessors from SACEPO WP/Q, epi, BusinessEurope and the EPO. New for 2025 was a session on oppositions requested by users, complementing the yearly sessions on search, written opinions and grants. The panels also covered a wide range of technical fields aligned with the EPO’s technology communities.

In search, assessors praised examples of well-structured written opinions that address all claims and set out clear, well-reasoned and substantiated objections. In examination, they highlighted the value of proactive examining divisions that use solid reasoning to guide the applicant towards a set of claims that comply with the European Patent Convention (EPC). In opposition, users particularly appreciated self-contained decisions that clearly explain the reasons for the outcome.

Assessors also identified several areas for further improvement, in particular a more complete assessment of dependent claims, the systematic application of the problem-solution approach for inventive step, and stronger support for arguments involving common general knowledge. They also pointed to the need for clearer and more consistent structuring of EPO communications, better substantiation of objections – including more detailed analysis of added subject-matter – and improved timeliness in opposition. These findings will be taken forward through targeted follow-up actions and workshops under the Quality Action Plan 2026.

Latest User Satisfaction Survey (USS) results

The strong results of the EPO’s User Satisfaction Survey 2024/2025 were presented and discussed. With more than 8 000 respondents, this latest edition saw the highest participation rate since these surveys began. The results show that users recognise the positive impact of the Quality Action Plans of 2023 and 2024, with high levels of satisfaction across search, examination and opposition. Improvements are visible in areas where quality actions were taken, for example consistency in examination, where very good and good ratings jumped from 59% in the previous survey to 73%. 

The USS results also point to areas that require further attention, in particular consistency of approach in searching computer-implemented inventions (CII) and AI-related inventions, as well as timeliness in opposition procedures. Members were invited to provide suggestions for the next USS cycle.

Unitary Patent: continued positive development

The meeting provided the opportunity to inform all stakeholders about the EPO’s contribution to the European Commission’s forthcoming report on the Unitary Patent system. Working party members welcomed the success of the system since its launch in June 2023 and expressed strong support for its continued positive development, noting the system’s benefits to users across Europe and beyond, particularly among innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The ensuing discussion focused on the Unitary Patent’s attractiveness to users due to the fact that Unitary Patent renewal fees set in 2015 do not reflect inflation accrued since then.

About SACEPO WP/Q

Meeting twice a year, SACEPO WP/Q brings together global users of the European patent system. Appointed by the EPO President for three-year terms, members share insights on new initiatives and help uphold high quality in the patent granting process. In this session, representatives of key stakeholder organisations attended, including BusinessEurope, the Institute of Professional Representatives before the EPO (epi), the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI), the Union of European Practitioners in Intellectual Property (UNION-IP) and other regional associations from around the world,

Beyond SACEPO meetings, the EPO gathers feedback through various channels, including independent user satisfaction surveys, online public consultations, the Ombuds Office and regular meetings with applicants of all sizes and with user associations. This continuous input enables the EPO to refine its products and services through initiatives that address evolving applicant needs. These efforts are documented annually in the Quality Action Plan and Quality Report.