Quality control system

Certified operating system

Both management and the operational functions within the Patents and Innovations Line are based on an operating system fulfilling the requirements of the SFS-EN ISO 9001:2008 standard. The operating system covers the processing of national patent and utility model applications, and applications under the Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT). Our system has been certified since 2006. The National Board of Patents and Registration (NBPR) was the first of the world's searching and examining PCT authorities to get this certification.

Annual audits ensure that our operations continue to improve, in terms of both the quality of our key processes and productivity. They also ensure that the NBPR keeps its high standard as a patent authority and an International Searching Authority.

See the certificate

Targets for processing times

National patent applications without priority: our aim is to carry out the novelty search and patentability examination within 8 months from the filing date, and to complete the application process within 2 years and 8 months.

Utility model applications: our aim is to process utility model applications within 4 months.

Novelty search of PCT applications: our aim is to carry out these searches within 16 months from the priority date, or 9 months from the international filing date if priority is not claimed.