Applicants may withdraw their demand or any or all elections by addressing a notice of withdrawal to the IB, and may do so at any time prior to the expiration of 30 months from the priority date. The withdrawal takes effect on the date of receipt of the notice by the IB, the IPEA being notified of that date. If the applicant nevertheless submits the notice of withdrawal to the IPEA, the IPEA will mark the date of receipt on the notice and transmit it promptly to the IB. The notice is considered to have been submitted to the IB on the date marked by the IPEA.[Rule 90bis.4; ]

Where the demand or all elections are withdrawn, the IPEA is notified of the withdrawal by the IB and the processing of the international application by the IPEA is discontinued.[Rule 90bis.6(c); ]

The demand or the copy thereof must be transmitted to the IB even where it has been withdrawn by the applicant. For information on the refund of the handling fee, see GL/PCT‑EPO A‑III, 9.6; for information on the refund of the preliminary examination fee in the event of withdrawal of the demand, see GL/PCT‑EPO A‑III, 9.7.[GL/ISPE 22.20; ]