The JPO and the INPI started the PPH pilot program form April 1, 2017, but the technical fields eligible for the PPH were limited to IT and machinery (mainly automobile-related).
From April 1, 2019, the technical fields will be expanded to polymer chemistry, metallurgy, materials, agricultural chemistry, micro-organisms, enzymes, etc.
The pilot program ends when each patent office receives 200 requests for the PPH. Further, the INPI will allow each applicant to file one request for the PPH a month.
