Under Chapter I, at the same time as establishing the search report the search examiner must establish the written opinion of the ISA (WO‑ISA) to be sent to the applicant together with the search report. The WO‑ISA gives a preliminary and non-binding opinion on whether the claimed invention appears to be novel, to involve an inventive step and to be industrially applicable.

The EPO forwards one copy of the search report or the declaration under Art. 17(2)(a) and of the written opinion to the IB and one copy to the applicant.

Section B‑X, 11.5, in the Guidelines for Examination in the EPO applies mutatis mutandis.

Section B‑X, 11.3, in the Guidelines for Examination in the EPO applies mutatis mutandis.

One copy of the international search report is sent to the IB and one to the applicant.