The Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) is an agency of the European Union, located in Angers, France.

Since the creation of the CPVO in 1995, the office has received about 78,000 applications, of which over 62,000 were granted, with over 30,000 rights currently in force.

Before its introduction, EU-wide protection was only possible through obtaining national plant variety rights from the individual member states.

The examination offices determine whether the variety is distinct, uniform and stable – this is called a DUS test.

The results of the DUS tests are used by the CPVO when taking the decision to grant or refuse a PVR application.

Based in Angers, France the CPVO was created by the Council Regulation 2100/94 and has been operational since the 27 April 1995.

The CPVO's budget is principally derived from PVR application fees paid by breeders who wish to protect their creations.