In case of failure to appoint a professional representative where this is required, the applicant will be invited by the EPO to do so within a time limit of two months. Until the EPO is informed of a (valid) appointment, any procedural step taken by the applicant will be deemed not to have been taken. If within due time the deficiency has not been corrected, the application will be refused. 

The refusal may be remedied by a request for further processing. The request will be granted if within two months from notification of the refusal a professional representative is appointed and the fee for further processing is paid.