For European applications filed as of 1 July 2005 and international applications filed as of that date entering the European phase, European search reports and supplementary European search reports will be accompanied by an opinion on whether the application and the invention to which it relates seem to meet the requirements of the EPC.

The above applies except in the cases referred to in B‑XI, 7.

The findings of the search opinion must be consistent with the document categories assigned in the search report and must also be consistent with any other issues raised in the search report, such as lack of unity of invention or limitation of the search.