The applicant may file a request with the receiving Office that the result of an earlier search carried out by the EPO or by any other office be taken into account. A refund of the international search fee is, however, granted only under the conditions set out in point 150.
Source: http://www.epo.org/applying/international/guide-for-applicants/html/e/ga_b_35.html
Date retrieved: 30 December 2018