1. Actions for failure to fulfil obligations - Subject-matter of the dispute - Determination during the pre-litigation procedure - Initial complaints set out in greater detail in the application instituting proceedings - Whether permissible
(EC Treaty, Art. 169 (now Art. 226 EC); Rules of Procedure of the Court, Arts 38(1)(c) and 42)
2. Actions for failure to fulfil obligations - Examination of the merits by the Court - Situation to be taken into account - Situation prevailing at the end of the period laid down in the reasoned opinion
(EC Treaty, Art. 169 (now Art. 226 EC))
3. Member States - Obligations - Implementation of directives - Failure to fulfil obligations - Justification based on the delay by the Commission in establishing a format intended for the submission of certain data by Member States - Not permissible
(EC Treaty, Art. 169 (now Art. 226 EC))