Regulations under the PCT

Rule 36
Minimum Requirements for International Searching Authorities

36.1       Definition of Minimum Requirements

The minimum requirements referred to in Article 16(3)(c) 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 searches 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 in its possession, or maintain access to, at least the minimum documentation referred to in Rule 34, for search purposes in accordance with the Administrative Instructions;

(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 search;

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