Time limits
Article 3
1. The EUSR shall answer initial and confirmatory applications within fifteen (15) working days of the date of registration of the application. 2. If an application is imprecise or too broad in its scope, the EUSR shall promptly contact the applicant with a view to clarifying the request or limiting its scope in line with Article 6(2) and 6(3) of the Regulation. In the absence of any reply from the applicant within 10 working days, the EUSR shall contact again the applicant granting other 5 additional working days to clarify or limit the scope of the request so as to allow the EUSR to identify the documents requested and handle the application in an efficient manner. If the applicant fails to provide a clarification or a limitation of the scope, the application shall be deemed rejected. The deadline for reply shall run only from the time when the EUSR receives relevant information from the applicant. 3. In exceptional cases, as set out in Articles 7(3) or 8(2) of the Regulation, the deadlines may be extended by fifteen working days, in particular: (a) in the case of applications which are complex or involve a large volume of data or documents; (b) if a request requires consultation of a Union institution, body or office, Common Security and Defence Policy mission or operation or a Member State; or (c) if consultation of a third party is required. The applicant must be informed of any such extension and of the reasons for it.