EU Directive

To cite an EU Directive use the tag number/year/regulating body (EUR Lex)

EU directives lay down certain end results that must be achieved in every EU Member State. National authorities have to adapt their laws to meet these goals, but are free to decide how to do so. Directives may concern one or more Member States, or all of them. Contrrast that with EU Regulations, which have direct, immediate force.

Each EU directive specifies the date by which the national laws must be adapted - giving national authorities the room for manoeuvre within the deadlines necessary to take account of differing national situations.

EU Directives are used to bring different national laws into line with each other, and are particularly common in matters affecting the operation of the single market (e.g. product safety standards).