The invention should be placed in its setting by specifying the technical field to which it relates, for example by reproducing the first ("prior art") portion of the independent claims in full or in substance or by simply referring to it.[Rule 42(1)(a); ]
If claims are amended, the "field of the invention" and "summary of the invention" may also need to be amended to correspond to the claims. If appropriate, it is possible to use statements like "the invention is set out in the appended set of claims" instead of repeating the claims verbatim.
Source: http://www.epo.org/law-practice/legal-texts/html/guidelines/e/f_ii_4_2.htm
Date retrieved: 17 May 2021