What kinds of authorisation can be filed with the EPO? Which authorisations does the EPO register?

When required to do so, representatives may file either individual or general authorisations. For this, we strongly recommend using EPO Forms 1003/1004 (or 7003/7004 for Unitary Patent proceedings). Until 1 December 2025, the EPO registered general authorisations for all types of representatives.

Since 1 December 2025, the EPO only registers general authorisations for employees who are neither professional representatives nor legal practitioners under Article 134(8) EPC (OJ EPO 2025, A47). Moreover, only such employees may refer to the registration number of a general authorisation registered before that date. Employees may also, where required, file individual authorisations.

While this change of practice does not impact the validity of general authorisations for professional representatives, legal practitioners and associations, these may no longer refer to the registration number. Instead, they must submit an authorisation to the file concerned. This may be either an individual or general authorisation, and include a copy of a previously filed authorisation, if so required.