REGULATIONS

These are binding legislative acts. They must be applied in full throughout the EU.

DIRECTIVES

These are legislative acts which set targets that all EU countries must meet. However, it is up to each country to draw up its own laws on how to achieve these targets.

DECISIONS

They are binding on those to whom they are addressed (an EU country or an individual company) and are directly applicable.

IMPLEMENTATION OF EU LAW

EU law and its implementation

• Regulations and decisions automatically become binding throughout the EU from the date of their entry into force.

• Directives have to be transposed into national law by EU Member States.

The Member States

Ensure that they are implemented by national authorities

The Commission monitors

Ensures that EU legislation is correctly implemented in all Member States. This task derives from its status as "guardian of the Treaties".

EU legislation takes the form of:

• Treaties establishing the European Union and regulating its functioning.

• EU regulations, directives and decisions, with direct or indirect effect in the Member States.

The digital access to case-law provides information on all cases brought before the Court of Justice and the General Court from 1953 to the present day.