New authentication solution to replace EPO smart cards in our patent services

EPO smart cards issued by the European Patent Office have been used to access the PRH’s patent services. However, EPO smart cards will be phased out. This spring, the PRH will be working to develop an authentication solution to replace the smart cards. Users can also use Suomi.fi e-Identification to identify themselves in our online services.

The EPO no longer accepts requests for new EPO smart cards or requests to renew expiring smart cards for their services. An exception will be made for services offered by national patent offices: the EPO will continue to renew existing smart cards until 18.00 hrs (CET) on 30 September 2024.

If your company has smart cards expiring in 2024, we recommend that you renew them as usual, preferably within 60 days before expiration. The smart cards can be used to access the PRH’s patent services until at least 31 December 2024.

New solution to replace EPO smart cards

The PRH is developing a two-factor authentication solution to replace EPO smart cards. We hope that current EPO smart card users will be able to switch to the new authentication method as easily as possible.

The new authentication solution will be introduced in our online patent services (Patent Payment Service, PRH Document Service, PRH Deposit Account) but not in the current Epoline Online Filing application (eOLF). Users can continue to use the EPO smart card to access eOLF. However, no new authentication solution will be introduced for eOLF, as the application will be phased out. The PRH is working on a service to replace the eOLF application.

For further information, please contact

Lasse Koivisto
Application Designer
Email: firstname.lastname@prh.fi
Tel. +358 29 509 5227