https://new.epo.org/en/node/archive

Archive: Guidelines for Examination

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this online archive, we cannot guarantee that it fully and accurately reproduces the original documents. If you notice any errors or omissions, please let us know by writing to publish@epo.org.

March 2022

The March 2022 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

Hyperlinked

Hyperlinked, showing modifications

March 2021

The March 2021 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

Hyperlinked

Hyperlinked, showing modifications

November 2019

The November 2019 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

Hyperlinked

Hyperlinked, showing modifications

    November 2018

    The November 2018 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

    Hyperlinked

    Hyperlinked, showing modifications

      November 2017

      The November 2017 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

      Standard version

      Hyperlinked version

      Hyperlinked, showing modifications version

        November 2016

        The November 2016 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

        Guidelines for Examination

        General Part

        Part A

        Part B

        Part C

        Part D

        Part E

        Part F

        Part G

        Part H

        Alphabetical keyword index

        Guidelines for Examination (all parts, showing modifications)

        Order a printed copy

          November 2015

          The November 2015 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

          Guidelines for Examination

          General Part

          Part A

          Part B

          Part C

          Part D

          Part E

          Part F

          Part G

          Part H

          All parts as ZIP file (ZIP, 5.5 MB)

          Alphabetical keyword index

            November 2014

            The November 2014 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

            Complete Guidelines all parts as PDF

            General Part

            Part A

            Part B

            Part C

            Part D

            Part E

            Part F

            Part G

            Part H

            All parts as ZIP file (ZIP, 6.4 MB)

            Alphabetical keyword index

              September 2013

              The September 2013 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

              1. Complete Guidelines all parts as PDF
              2. General Part
              3. Part A
              4. Part B
              5. Part C
              6. Part D
              7. Part E
              8. Part F
              9. Part G
              10. Part H
              11. All parts as ZIP file (ZIP, 5.9 MB)
                June 2012

                The June 2012 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

                Complete Guidelines

                General Part

                Part A

                Part B

                Part C

                Part D

                Part E

                Part F

                Part G

                Part H

                All parts as ZIP file (ZIP, 5.1 MB)

                Table of contents indicating source in Guidelines 2010

                Table of correspondence between Guidelines 2010 and 2012

                Alphabetical keyword index

                  April 2010

                  The April 2010 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

                  Complete guidelines

                  General part

                  Part A

                  Part B

                  Part C

                  Part D

                  Part E

                  All parts as ZIP file (ZIP, 2 MB)

                    April 2009

                    The April 2009 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

                    Complete guidelines

                    General part

                    Part A

                    Part B

                    Part C

                    Part D

                    Part E

                    All parts as ZIP file (ZIP, 1.5 MB)

                      December 2007

                      The December 2007 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

                      General Part

                      Part A

                      Part B

                      Part C

                      Part D

                      Part E

                      Complete Guidelines for Examination

                      Complete Guidelines for Examination (ZIP, 1.5 MB)

                        June 2005

                        The June 2005 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

                        General Part

                        Complete Guidelines

                        Part A

                        Part B

                        Part C

                        Part D

                        Part E

                        Complete Guidelines PDF version as ZIP file (ZIP, 1.7 MB)

                        December 2003

                        The December 2003 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

                        Download

                        October 2001

                        October 2001 Guidelines for Examination are available as PDF files.  

                        Download