2025 Edition of EUIPO Examination Guidelines for Designs Reform Now in Force

The most recent version of the Guidelines for the Examination of registered European Union designs came into effect on 1 May 2025, after being reviewed by the EUIPO’s Management Board and officially adopted by the Executive Director through Decision EX-25-03.

The primary updates align with the initial phase of the design law reform brought in by Regulation (EU) 2024/2822. These revisions address the following points:

• Updated terminology: e.g. change from registered community design (RCD) to registered European Union design (REUD), as well as revised definitions and legal references.
• Elimination of the option to file via national offices and the filing of specimens.
• Removal of the unity of class requirement.
• The possibility for decisions to be taken on surrendered or expired designs, provided the requesting party shows a legitimate interest.
• Clarification on res judicata.
• Extension of priority effects to Article 25(1)(e) and (f) EUDR.
• Modifications to entitlement proceedings.
• Removal of certain fees.
• Changes in the calculation of the basic renewal periods.

More detailed information on the first phase of the designs legislative reform can be found on the Designs Reform hub.