Regulations under the PCT

Rule 63
Minimum Requirements for International Preliminary Examining Authorities

63.1       Definition of Minimum Requirements

The minimum requirements referred to in Article 32(3) shall be the following:

(i)  the national Office or intergovernmental organization must have at least 100 full-time employees with sufficient technical qualifications to carry out examinations in the required technical fields;

(ii)  that Office or organization must make available for consultation as part of the minimum documentation referred to in Rule 34, in accordance with the requirements specified in the Administrative Instructions, any patent issued, and any patent application published, by it, and where applicable by its legal predecessor(s);

(iii)  that Office or organization must have at its ready disposal at least the minimum documentation referred to in Rule 34, properly arranged for examination purposes;

(iv)  that Office or organization must have in place a quality management system and internal review arrangements in accordance with the common rules of international preliminary examination;

(v)  that Office or organization must hold an appointment as an International Searching Authority.