2.2 After receipt of the search report – Rule 137(2)

After receiving the European search report and the search opinion, applicants must respond to the search opinion (see B‑XI, 8) and may amend the description, claims and drawings of their own volition, provided that the amendment and their reply are filed within the time limit for responding to the search opinion (see C‑II, 1, C‑II, 3.1 and C‑III, 2.1). Likewise, for applications for which no supplementary European search report is prepared (see B‑II, 4.3) when entering the European phase from the PCT, the applicant is required to respond to the WO‑ISA, IPER or SISR where the ISA and, if applicable, the IPEA or SISA was the EPO (see E‑IX, 3.1 and 3.2). This response to the WO‑ISA, IPER or SISR may include amendments made by the applicant of their own volition to the description, claims and drawings. After expiry of the relevant time limit for the reply (or, if the applicant waives the remainder of the reply period, after the reply), the applicant may amend the application only with the consent of the examining division.

For applications:

(i)for which no search opinion is prepared (see B‑XI, 1.1 and B‑XI, 7),

(ii)for which a search opinion was prepared, but where the search report was drawn up before 1 April 2010 (in which case Rule 70a does not apply and the applicant is not required to respond to the search opinion), or

(iii)which enter the European phase from the PCT, where the EPO was the ISA, IPEA or SISA and prepared a written opinion, but for which a communication under Rule 161 was already issued before 1 April 2010,

it is after receipt of the first communication from the examining division in examination proceedings that applicants may "of their own volition, amend once the description, claims and drawings", provided that the amendment and the reply are filed within the time limit for replying to that communication.