The applicant may also file missing parts of the description, or drawings of his own motion (without being invited to do so by the EPO) within two months of the date of filing. If the applicant does not file the missing parts within this period, all references to the missing parts are deemed to be deleted. However, if the applicant is invited by the EPO to file the missing parts, the period under Rule 56(1) takes precedence (see II, 5.1).

If, within two months of the original date of filing, the applicant notices that he has neglected to include drawings and/or parts of the description in the application as originally filed, it is advisable to file these as soon as possible of his own motion according to Rule 56(2), since if the EPO does not invite him to file the missing parts, then any possibility for him to file them later ends two months after the original date of filing.