Principle of investigation

(1) The authority ascertains the facts on its own initiative. It determines the nature and extent of the investigations; it is not bound by the submissions and evidentiary applications of the parties. Where the authority employs automatic facilities for issuing administrative acts, it must take into account factual particulars given by the party that are significant for the individual case and that would not be ascertained in the automatic procedure.
(2) The authority must take into account all circumstances significant for the individual case, including those favourable to the parties.
(3) The authority may not refuse to accept declarations or applications falling within its area of competence on the ground that it considers the declaration or the application inadmissible or unfounded on the merits.