Decision-Making in the EU

Making EU Legislation

To create new laws the European Union follows the following process:

1. Proposal by the European Commission
2. Discussion and Amendment by the European Parliament
3. Decision by the Council of the European Union
4. Implementation by the European Commission

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5. Proposal by the European Commission: The European Commission acts as the executive body of the EU and is responsible for drafting and proposing legislation.
6. Discussion and Amendment by the European Parliament: The European Parliament discusses the proposals and puts forward amendments to the legislation.
7. Decision by the Council of the European Union: The Council of the European Union decides on legislation drafted by the European Commission and discussed by the European Parliament. If it agrees to the proposal, there is co-decision with the European Parliament.
8. Implementation by the European Commission: Once legislation is passed by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament, it is the Commission's responsibility to ensure it is implemented. This is done using regulations, directives, and decisions.

Types of EU Legislative Acts

The EU has 3 main types of Legislative Acts:

9. Directives
10. Regulations
11. Decisions

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12. Directives: Legislative acts that set out goals that all EU countries must achieve. However, it is up to the individual countries to devise their own laws on how to reach these goals.

• Example: The Renewable Energy sets binding national targets for renewable energy consumption in the EU. Each member state must implement measures to meet their specific target.

13. Regulations: Legislative acts that apply in their entirety across the EU as soon as they are passed. They are binding and directly applicable without the need for any national implementing legislation.

• Example: EU Regulation 261 is an example of a regulation. This regulation establishes common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight cancellations, or long delays. It is binding across all member states.

14. Decisions: Legislative acts that are binding on those to whom they are addressed (e.g., an EU country or an individual company). They are directly applicable and do not require national implementation.

• Example: Decision 2020/512 decision established a temporary framework for state aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak.