In the following cases, the search report, the declaration replacing it, or the incomplete or partial search report will indicate whether the subject of the search was restricted and which claims have or have not been searched:

Although the EPC does not require the European search report to identify the areas of technology searched, this information is included in the report in the form of a list of IPC symbols up to the sub-class level.

Where the search report is entirely or partly based on a previous search made for an application relating to a cognate subject, the sections of the documentation consulted for this previous search are also identified in the report as having been consulted for the application in question.

On the main page and supplemental sheets, the European patent application is identified by its application number.

The type of the search report is indicated in the report.

In the case of a joint publication of the application and the search report, the main page of the report is marked A1 (WIPO Standard ST.16). If publication of the application is due before the search, the main page is marked A2 (WIPO Standard ST.16). The subsequent search report is established on a new main page which is marked A3 (WIPO Standard ST.16).

For internal quality purposes, at the end of the search the search division completes an account summarising all the information necessary for auditors to understand what has been searched (see B‑III, 3), as well as where (see B‑III, 2) and how (see B‑IV, 2) the search was carried out. The account of the search is not public.

The standard search report is prepared by the search division and contains a main page to be used for all searches for recording the important features of the search, such as: