4.1.6.How and where is the demand for international preliminary examination to be filed? 

4.1.022The demand for international preliminary examination must be made using the prescribed form (PCT/IPEA/401), downloaded from the WIPO website,⁵⁵ copies of which are also available free of charge from all receiving Offices, the IB and the EPO.

4.1.023The demand and any further document relating to the Chapter II PCT procedure (e.g. amendments and/or arguments filed under Article 34 PCT) must be submitted to the EPO as IPEA and not to the receiving Office or the IB. The EPO as IPEA will indicate the date of receipt on the demand and promptly notify the applicant of that date.

4.1.024The demand may be filed with the EPO as IPEA online (see points 2.2.001-2.2.004), by delivery by hand, by post or by fax. The ePCT service can also be used to file the demand online.

4.1.025If the demand is filed by fax, no written confirmation needs to be filed unless the applicant is invited by the EPO as IPEA to do so (see point 2.2.025).