Yesterday, Austria deposited its instrument of ratification of the Protocol on Provisional Application of the UPC Agreement. As such, Austria is now the 13^th member state to participate in the provisional application of the UPC Agreement. Thereby, the Protocol has entered into force, with the provisional application period (PAP) starting simultaneously. The UPC Preparatory Committee has estimated that it would need to run for around 8 months in order to allow the preparations for the UPC to be completed.

The final step will be the deposit of Germany’s instrument of ratification of the UPCA itself. The UPCA will start operating on the first day of the 4^th month after the month in which Germany’s ratification is deposited. The UPC Preparatory Committee has confirmed that Germany’s deposit will not occur until it is clear that the practical arrangements for the UPC will be ready in time.