When is the EPO a designated or elected Office?
Overview
5.1.2.When is the EPO a designated or elected Office?
5.1.003If an applicant enters the European phase without having requested international preliminary examination under Chapter II PCT, the EPO will act as a "designated Office" (see points 5.1.004 ff). However, if before entering the European phase the application was processed under Chapter II, the EPO will act in the European phase as an ''elected Office'' (see points 5.1.007 ff).