Common general knowledge may be introduced ex officio

Not only in ex parte–, but also in inter partes appeal proceedings, a board is allowed to introduce new ex officio common general knowledge without evidence of such knowledge which prejudices maintenance of the patent, to the extent that the board is knowledgeable in the respective technical field from the experience of its members working on cases in this field (EPO BoA 25 January 2021, T 1370/15).