The EPO published Unilever's patent application EP3873617A1 for a hair treatment composition on March 25, 2026. The application lists inventors Murray and Piggott with IPC classifications indicating silicone-based hair care formulations (A61K 8/898, C08L 83/04). The designated states include all major European patent countries (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, TR).

This is a routine patent publication notice with no immediate compliance obligations. Third parties interested in the technology may monitor the examination process or file observations with the EPO. Competitors developing similar hair treatment compositions should review the claims upon grant to assess potential freedom-to-operate implications.