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European Union: secondary law: Secondary law

Secondary law

EU secondary legislation is made by the EU institutions and include unilateral secondary law and conventions and agreements.

Unilateral acts can be divided into two categories:

  • those listed in Article 288 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU: regulations i , directives i , decisions i , opinions i and recommendations i ;
  • those not listed in Article 288 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, i.e. "atypical" acts such as communications and recommendations, and white i and green papers i .

Convention and Agreements group together:

  • international agreements, signed by the EU and a country or outside organisation;
  • agreements between Member States; and
  • interinstitutional agreements, i.e. agreements between the EU institutions.