1.8 Representation before the EPO as Supplementary International Searching Authority 

Applicants may be represented before the EPO as Supplementary International Searching Authority (SISA) by the agent appointed on filing the international application and/or having the right to practise before the receiving Office, who is usually the agent for the international phase.

The agent appointed for the international phase – and thus including for proceedings before the SISA – may appoint a sub-agent to represent the applicant specifically before the EPO as SISA, provided that any person so appointed as sub-agent has the right to practise before the EPO acting as SISA. All communications issued by the EPO as SISA are then sent to the agent specifically appointed for proceedings before the EPO as SISA.

Applicants may also appoint an agent to represent them specifically before the EPO in its capacity as SISA. Any agent specifically appointed to act before the EPO as SISA must be entitled to practise before the EPO.

The applicant or agent for the international phase can appoint an agent specifically before the EPO as SISA by signing and submitting a separate power of attorney. Appointment may also be effected by reference in a separate notice to a duly deposited general power of attorney. In this case, the separate notice may be signed by the purported agent. The separate power of attorney or a copy of a general power of attorney must only be submitted to the EPO acting as SISA if the EPO's waiver of the requirement to submit it does not apply in the circumstances. For further information, see GL/PCT‑EPO A‑VIII, 1.11-GL/PCT‑EPO A-VIII, 1.13.