Directive (European Union)

<p>A directive is a legal act of the <a href="/facts/European_Union/6GYcR8qM">European Union</a> that requires <a href="/facts/Member_state_of_the_European_Union/hsFC1pJH">member states</a> to achieve particular goals without dictating how the member states achieve those goals. A directive's goals have to be made the goals of one or more new or changed national laws by the member states before this legislation applies to individuals residing in the member states. Directives normally leave member states with a certain amount of leeway as to the exact rules to be adopted. Directives can be adopted by means of a variety of <a href="/facts/European_Union_legislative_procedure/FL8nttyH">legislative procedures</a> depending on their subject matter.
</p><p>The text of a draft directive (if subject to the <a href="/facts/Co-decision/FL8nttyH">co-decision</a> process, as contentious matters usually are) is prepared by the <a href="/facts/European_Commission/Cc5JgbEI">Commission</a> after consultation with its own and national experts. The draft is presented to the <a href="/facts/European_Parliament/H9WLUd1r">Parliament</a> and the <a href="/facts/Council_of_the_European_Union/xlE6rYKb">Council</a>—composed of relevant ministers of member governments, initially for evaluation and comment and then subsequently for approval or rejection.
</p>

Directive (European Union) open-in-new

Directive (European Union)