Section B‑IV, 3.1, in the Guidelines for Examination in the EPO applies mutatis mutandis.[Art. 18; Rule 43.5; GL/ISPE 15.67; GL/ISPE 15.69; GL/ISPE 15.72; OJ EPO 2017, A106; ]

An information sheet regarding the search strategy is systematically annexed to all international search reports, including partial search reports. If the application lacks unity of invention, the data contained in this sheet will only concern the invention(s) for which the search fee(s) has (have) been paid. The information sheet will contain certain details about the databases in which the examiner conducted the prior-art search, the classification symbols defining the extent of the search, and the keywords selected by the examiner or any other element relating to the invention to be searched and used to retrieve the relevant prior art. Upon publication of the international search report, the information sheet will be made available to the public via file inspection on WIPO's PATENTSCOPE and in the European Patent Register.