1.2.2.1 Acceleration of the proceedings by waiving the right to the communication under Rules 161(1) and 162

In order to proceed with the examination of the application without having to wait until the expiry of the six-month time limit for response, the applicant may explicitly waive their right to a communication pursuant to Rules 161(1) and Rule 162. Provided that, on entry into the European phase, they have also already responded, where required, to the WO‑ISA, the IPER or the SISR and paid the claims fees, no communication under Rules 161 and Rule 162 will be issued (see the notice from the EPO dated 5 April 2011, OJ EPO 2011, 354). If this is not the case, the communication will be issued and the application will be processed only after expiry of the six-month period. See also A‑XII, 7.2.