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The EPO as IPEA will not start examination before expiry of the time limit laid down in Rule 54bis PCT, unless the applicant requires an earlier start. Amendments and/or arguments under Article 34 PCT filed after filing of the demand, but before expiry of this time limit, must always be taken into account for international preliminary examination (see point 363).
Where the WO-ISA is considered a first written opinion (see point 372), a single extension of one month for filing a reply (amendments and/or arguments under Article 34 PCT) is in principle granted if requested before expiry of the normal time limit under Rule 54bis PCT and on condition that the time limit so extended does not expire later than 25 months from the (earliest) priority date (see also point 380). The extension does not apply to the time limit for filing the demand, which cannot be extended.