The second phase of the European Union design reform entered into application on 1 July 2026, introducing significant changes to the EU design system administered by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

The reform forms part of the broader modernization of EU design law and aims to adapt design protection to technological developments, digital products and evolving commercial practices. The new framework affects both substantive and procedural aspects of EU design registration and enforcement.

The changes are particularly relevant for businesses protecting physical products, packaging, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), digital products, animated icons, screen transitions and other designs used in digital environments.

Up to Ten Protected Views for Static Designs

One of the most notable changes concerns the representation of registered EU designs.

Previously, applicants could submit a maximum of seven protected views for each design. From 1 July 2026, this limit has increased to ten views.

The additional views allow applicants to present different perspectives of a product more comprehensively, particularly where important visual features appear on different sides or angles.

Dynamic 3D and Animated Representations

The reform also expands the acceptable formats for representing EU designs.

In addition to conventional static JPEG images, the EUIPO now accepts:

  • 3D files in OBJ format;
  • 3D files in STL format; and
  • animated MP4 files.

These new formats are expected to be particularly relevant for products whose appearance depends on movement or three-dimensional perception, including graphical user interfaces, animated icons, digital products and interactive displays.

Each design application, however, must use a single representation format. Applicants must therefore decide at the filing stage whether a static, three-dimensional or animated representation best reflects the protected appearance of the design.

Greater Flexibility for Product Indications

The reform introduces changes regarding product indications used in design applications.

Where the product indication is considered inaccurate or inconsistent with the applicable Locarno Classification, the EUIPO may amend the indication on its own initiative, provided that the applicant has authorised the Office to do so.

This mechanism is intended to reduce formal deficiencies and facilitate Fast Track processing where appropriate.

Clearer Rules on Visual Disclaimers

The new rules also formally recognise the use of visual disclaimers.

Visual disclaimers enable applicants to indicate that certain elements appearing in the representation are not claimed as part of the protected design. This may be particularly useful where protection is sought only for a specific portion of a product or where additional elements are included solely to provide context.

Minor Corrections After Filing

Applicants may now correct certain minor defects in the design representation without losing the original filing date.

This possibility is limited to corrections that do not alter the essential appearance or identity of the design. The new provision is intended to address purely formal issues, such as technical defects in submitted images.

Changes in Invalidity Proceedings

The reform also modifies EU design invalidity proceedings.

Applications for a declaration of invalidity must now contain a properly structured statement of facts, legal arguments and supporting evidence from the outset.

Furthermore, where an invalidity action relies on an earlier EU trade mark that has been registered for more than five years, the holder of the contested design may request proof that the earlier trade mark has been put to genuine use.

This aligns certain aspects of EU design practice with existing EU trade mark procedures.

New Procedural Mechanisms

The new framework introduces additional procedural tools before the EUIPO.

These include:

  • continuation of proceedings for certain missed deadlines, subject to the applicable requirements; and
  • the possibility of requesting revocation of decisions containing obvious errors attributable to the Office.

These mechanisms provide additional procedural flexibility in appropriate cases.

More Flexible Licensing Arrangements

The reform also affects the management of EU design portfolios.

It is now possible to record licences covering only some of the product indications included within a registered EU design, allowing greater flexibility in commercial licensing arrangements.

Practical Impact

The new rules provide applicants with a broader range of options for representing and managing registered EU designs.

The availability of dynamic representations reflects the growing importance of digital products and interactive interfaces, while procedural changes seek to improve the efficiency of design registration and invalidity proceedings.

Businesses filing new EU design applications from 1 July 2026 should ensure that the chosen representation format, product indication and filing strategy are consistent with the commercial use of the design and future enforcement objectives.