In the opening decision the Commission stated that the legal basis for the assessment of the compatibility of the aid measure was Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty. The Commission also considered whether the measure should be assessed on the basis of Article 87(3)(b). That provision states that aid may be considered to be compatible with the common market if it is intended to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State.
Ametliku uurimismenetluse algatamise otsuses märgiti, et meetme kokkusobivuse uurimise aluseks on EÜ asutamislepingu artikli 87 lõike 3 punkt c. Peale selle uuris komisjon, kas meedet saab hinnata EÜ asutamislepingu artikli 87 lõike 3 punkti b alusel.