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El Salvador Joins the Hague System on 7 October, as the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks and the Patent Law Treaty Also Enter Into Force

A designer's desk with a line sketch of a chair on white paper and a desk lamp, a dotted line running from the drawing to an envelope holding a document and ringed by small dots, with a world map behind, symbolising one international application for design protection in many countries

From 7 October 2026 El Salvador is formally part of the Hague System for the international registration of industrial designs, as the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement enters into force for the country; on the same day the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks and the Patent Law Treaty also enter into force for El Salvador. The Government of El Salvador deposited its instruments of accession to all three with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on 7 July 2026. According to WIPO, El Salvador is the 77th Contracting Party to the Geneva Act and the 83rd member of the Hague Union, and its accession brings the Hague System to 100 countries. From 7 October, designers and businesses in El Salvador can seek design protection in the 100 countries covered by filing a single international application, and applicants entitled to use the Hague System can designate El Salvador.

WIPO says that information on El Salvador's domestic laws, procedures and requirements for international design protection under the Hague System will be published in the Hague System member profiles. The Singapore Treaty and the Patent Law Treaty harmonise and simplify procedures for filing and maintaining trade marks and patents, including by facilitating electronic communications and simplifying formal requirements.

According to an article by a local lawyer, El Salvador's Legislative Assembly approved accession to these treaties in 2026 to meet commitments under the country's trade agreement with the United States.

J&C recommends that companies planning to enter El Salvador and the wider Central American market consider designating El Salvador in new international design applications, checking the forthcoming WIPO member profile for its examination procedure and declarations before filing; holders of existing trade mark and patent rights there should watch for changes to formalities that follow the two treaties, such as electronic filing, relief for missed time limits and formal requirements, and check renewal and response arrangements with local representatives where needed.

Source: www.wipo.int | www.wipo.int | www.wipo.int | chambers.com

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