ECLA to IPC concordance list, version 20060512

The ECLA-IPC concordance list contains the relation between the ECLA 
classification of the EPO and the IPC advanced level (version 2006.01)
on subgroup level.
This list is used by the EPO to create IPC-2006 classifications for the
back file of patent documents that were not originally classified 
according to IPC-2006, i.e. all documents published until the end of 2005.
In the vast majority of cases, the IPC can simply be derived from ECLA by 
cutting off the letter-digit combinations at the end of the ECLA symbol.
However, in some technical fields, ECLA differs from the IPC. In these fields,
the concordance list gives a relation between groups having similar or 
identical content, in spite of the fact that the ECLA symbols are not based 
on the corresponding IPC.

In a few cases it was not possible to derive IPC from ECLA, due to substantial
differences in coverage and structure of the classifications. Such IPC or ECLA
entries are indicated in the list.
In many of these cases, the IPC symbols for the back file documents will be 
created using data delivered by the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA).
Where also this is not possible, it will be attempted to use classification 
data propagated from other family members, or, in extreme cases, offices will 
be asked to reclassify their documents manually.

The concordance table reflects the current status of the relation between ECLA 
and IPC-2006.
When more areas in ECLA are aligned with the IPC or when other changes are made
to ECLA, new editions of the table will be published.

The first column contains the ECLA symbol.
The second column contains the IPC symbol (version 2006.01).
The columns are delimited by a semicolon (;). 
The text qualifier is double apostrophe (").

ECLA symbols are listed in native ECLA format, i.e. without leading blanks for
the main group numbers 

IPC symbols are listed as in WIPO ST.8 , i.e. with 4 byte fixed-length main 
group numbers, with leading blanks for shorter main group symbols.
Only the classification symbols are listed, and no further ST.8 attributes.

Contact persons in the EPO are:
Trevor Watson 	phone: +31 703403346	email: twatson@epo.org
Heiko Wongel	phone: +31 703403080	email: hwongel@epo.org