The Acceleration Mechanism of the PACE Programme is Restricted only to Examination
According to the latest official journal published on December 23, 2025, the programme for accelerated prosecution of European patent applications ("PACE" programme) will be replaced by the present one, taking into account the sustained improved timeliness of the EPO in issuing the extended/partial European search report.
As from 1 February 2026, a request for participation in the PACE programme (PACE request) may be filed only once during the examination stage of the procedure and for one application at a time. A PACE request for accelerated examination may be filed once the examining division becomes responsible for examining the European patent application.
When accelerated examination is requested, the EPO makes every effort to issue the next office action within three months of the examining division's receipt of the application, the applicant's response under Rule 70a or 161(1) EPC or the request for accelerated examination (whichever is latest).The EPO strives to produce subsequent examination communications within three months of receipt of the applicant's reply, provided that the application is still being processed under the PACE.
The additional ways to expedite the European grant procedure as well as the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot programme are maintained, with information provided in the notices published in OJ EPO 2015, A94 and OJ EPO 2022, A115.
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