Notice of comments procedure

1.   Within three months of the date of publication of the single document and the reference to the product specification in the Union register, in accordance with Article 23(7), a competent authority of a Member State or of a third country, or a natural or legal person having a legitimate interest and established or resident in another Member State or in a third country, may lodge a notice of comments with the Office.
2.   A notice of comments shall point out any inaccuracy or contain additional information in relation to the application, including possible infringement of other Union law. It shall not confer any rights on its author or trigger an opposition procedure. The notice of comments shall not be based on the grounds for opposition and the author of the notice of comments shall not be considered to be a party to the procedure.
3.   The Office shall communicate the notice of comments to the applicant and shall take it into consideration when deciding on the application, except where the notice of comments is unclear or obviously incorrect.
4.   The Commission may adopt implementing acts laying down rules on the submission of the notice of comments and specifying its format and online presentation. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 68(2).