In order that examination of a European application can begin, applicants are required to file a request for examination, which, however, is not deemed to be filed until after the examination fee has been paid. The request for examination may be filed from the date on which the application is filed up to the end of six months after the date on which the European Patent Bulletin mentions the publication of the European search report (see A‑VI, 2.1). If the request for examination is not filed within this period, the application is deemed to be withdrawn. However, in such a case, applicants have the possibility of filing a request for further processing pursuant to Art. 121. The amount of the further processing fee to be paid depends on how many and which of the actions required for a valid request for examination have been omitted (see E‑VIII, 2). According to Rule 70(1), the request for examination may not be withdrawn.[Art. 94; Art. 121; Rule 70; Art. 122(4); Rule 136(3); ]

Subject to certain exceptions, applicants must also respond to the search opinion within the above-mentioned period for filing the request for examination (see B‑XI, 9, and C‑II, 3.1), unless the EPO invites them to confirm an early request for examination according to Rule 70(2), in which case they must respond to the search opinion within the period provided for under Rule 70(2) (see C‑II, 1.1).[Rule 70a(1); Rule 70a(3); ]

Responsibility for examining the application passes from the Receiving Section to the examining division at the time when a request for examination is filed. This is subject to two exceptions:[Rule 10; Rule 70(2); ]

1.1 Confirmation of the intention to proceed further with the application

1.2 Euro-PCT applications

1.3 Invention to be examined