SVFC was notified of the international preliminary report on patentability on 09/14/13. It is not number 7 in terms of steps in the granting procedure..sorry, just indicated it as #7 on my check list. After amendments are completed, publication of bibliographic data completed, request for substantive examination completed, and all fees are paid, the EPO examines whether the European patent application and the invention meet the requirements of the European Patent Convention and whether a patent can be granted. An examining division normally consists of three examiners, one of whom maintains contact with the applicant or representative. The decision on the application is taken by the examining division as a whole in order to ensure maximum objectivity.