7. "Early processing" and other measures to accelerate the European grant proceedings

Applicants who wish to accelerate processing in the European phase have the following options:

–requesting the start of the European phase processing before expiry of the 31-month period (A‑XII, 7.1)

–waiving their right to the communication under Rules 161(1) or (2) and 162 (A‑XII, 7.2)

–waiving their right to the invitation under Rule 70(2), if a supplementary European search report is drawn up (A‑XII, 7.3)

–filing a "PACE" request (A‑XII, 7.4)

All four options may be combined (OJ EPO 2015, A94).