Rule 72

(1) If a time limit expires on a day on which the Office is not open for receipt of documents or on which, for reasons other than those referred to in paragraph 2, ordinary mail is not delivered in the locality in which the Office is located, the time limit shall extend until the first day thereafter on which the Office is open for receipt of documents and on which ordinary mail is delivered. The days referred to in the first sentence shall be as determined by the President of the Office before the commencement of each calendar year.

(2) If a time limit expires on a day on which there is a general interruption in the delivery of mail in the Member State where the Office is located, or, if and to the extent that the President of the Office has allowed communications to be sent by electronic means pursuant to Rule 82, on which there is an actual interruption of the Offices connection to these electronic means of communication, the time limit shall extend until the first day following that interruption on which the Office is open for the receipt of documents and on which ordinary mail is delivered. The duration of the period of interruption shall be determined by the President of the Office.

(3) Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the time limits provided for in the Regulation or these Rules in the case of transactions to be carried out with the competent authority within the meaning of Article 25 (1) (b) of the Regulation.

(4) If an exceptional occurrence such as a natural disaster or strike interrupts or dislocates proper communication from the parties to the proceedings to the Office or vice versa, the President of the Office may determine that for parties of the proceedings having their residence or registered office in the State concerned or who have appointed a representative with a place of business in the State concerned, all time limits that otherwise would expire on or after the date of commencement of such occurrence, as determined by him, shall extend until a date to be determined by him. If the occurrence affects the seat of the Office, such determination of the President shall specify that it applies in respect of all parties to the proceedings.