15/07/2025 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 15 July, the European Commission confirmed that the data protection framework of the European Patent Organisation (EPO) includes the necessary guarantees to enable researchers and public bodies to transfer the data required to obtain patents. “This trade facilitation is a new step for European competitiveness and innovation”, says the European Commission, which highlights the “rationalisation” of the patent application process and the “reduction” of administrative burdens. This decision will be subject to periodic reviews to ensure that it is compatible with the EPO framework. These checks will be carried out by the Commission in collaboration with the EPO. This decision on the adequacy of the data protection framework means that the EPO can now be included among the fifteen entities with which the EU facilitates the transfer of data. (IS)