Regulation
In Simple Terms
A law passed by the EU that applies directly and equally in all EU member states without needing national implementation.
Formal Legal Definition
A legislative act of the European Union that has general application, is binding in its entirety, and is directly applicable in all Member States, as defined in Article 288 TFEU.
Practical Example
The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) applies identically across all 27 EU countries. A company in Finland follows the same data protection rules as one in France.
Difference from Related Terms
Unlike a Directive, a Regulation does not need to be transposed into national law. It takes effect automatically across the EU.
Why It Matters
Regulations create uniform legal standards across the EU, eliminating discrepancies between member states and ensuring consistent enforcement.
Common Misunderstandings
Many people confuse Regulations with Directives. A Regulation is directly applicable; a Directive requires member states to implement it through national legislation.
Related Terms
How snowLEX helps with Regulation
snowLEX can instantly retrieve the full text of any EU Regulation, explain its key provisions in plain language, and show how it has been interpreted in case law across member states.
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