The EUIPO supports a study visit on distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) testing and quality assurance for plant variety rights in Hungary

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), in the framework of the EU-funded EU4IP project, supported a study visit to Hungary for Moldovan experts in the field of plant variety protection. The activity brought together expertise from Hungary, the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) and the Republic of Moldova, reflecting the Team Europe approach to mobilising European expertise and supporting cooperation with EU partner countries.

The visit provided a practical opportunity for experts from the Republic of Moldova to exchange knowledge and experience with their EU counterparts. Through this cooperation, participants explored how European approaches are applied in practice across different aspects of plant variety protection, with particular attention to DUS testing and quality assurance.

Hungarian and CPVO experts provided complementary perspectives on plant variety protection at national and EU level. The exchanges covered national listing and variety testing, DUS testing methodologies for cereals and vegetable species, quality management and cooperation with non-EU countries, including the exchange of technical reports. Participants also explored quality audit and entrustment procedures, while field visits provided an opportunity to observe relevant testing procedures in practice.

Participants also exchanged views on research and development activities related to DUS testing, institutional coordination and enforcement aspects of plant variety rights. The activity contributed to strengthening technical capacities and supporting the approximation of practices with EU standards in the field of plant variety protection.

By combining the expertise of an EU Member State and a specialised EU agency, the study visit demonstrated the Team Europe approach in practice, supporting the Republic of Moldova in strengthening institutional capacity and bringing its practices closer to EU standards. The activity also reflects the EUIPO’s role as the premier implementing agency of IPR cooperation projects, facilitating knowledge exchange and mobilising expertise across its network of EU agencies and partner institutions.