What is the relationship and difference between EPO and EPC?

The European Patent Office (EPO) is an intergovernmental organization formally established on June 7th in 1977 and 10 according to the European Patent Convention. Its main function is to be responsible for patent approval in Europe.

The European Patent Union is a regional patent treaty in Europe, which mainly involves the submission, retrieval and examination of European unified patent applications. European patent rights examined and approved by the European Patent Office can be registered with all EPC member countries by the applicant to obtain patent protection in all member countries.