6.2.2 Safety provision for late Late replenishment of deposit accounts

The conditions for considering a period for payment to have been observed even if the amount paid is received by the EPO after expiry of that period apply mutatis mutandis to payments to replenish deposit accounts. Hence, for the purpose of complying with a time limit for payment, the account is considered to have been replenished in time if the payer provides evidence that the steps referred to under A‑X, 6.2.1(i) or 6.2.1(ii) to replenish the deposit account were taken before expiry of the payment period concerned.

Where a payment to replenish the deposit account is considered to have been made after expiry of a period in which it should have been made (see A‑X, 4.2.4), the EPO will consider the period as having been observed if evidence is provided that an adequate replenishment of the deposit account was authorised:

(i)at least one day before expiry of the period for paying the fee if using the SEPA Credit Transfer scheme or

(ii)at the latest on the last day of the period for paying the fee if using the SEPA Instant Credit Transfer scheme or

(iii)at least three days before expiry of the period for paying the fee if any other type of order was given to a banking establishment within an EPC contracting state.

Where the requirements under point 7.5.1 ADA are fulfilled, any further processing fee paid will be refunded. See A‑X, 6.2.5.