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European Union: National Implementation

A guide to researching the law of the EU

National Implementing Legislation

EU directives lay down certain end results that must be achieved in every Member State. National authorities have to adapt their laws to meet these goals, but are free to decide how to do so. These laws are referred to as National Implementing Legislation or National Execution Measures.

Databases

In EUR-Lex, you can check all the measures taken by national authorities to incorporate EU directives into national law.

Quick search:

  • find the directive in question (example: 2006/66/EC)
  • click on the tab National transposition

OR

  • search in national implementing measures
  • search by text in the title,year and number of the transposed directive, or its CELEX number, member state or CELEX number of the national implementing measure
  • click on the name of a state on the left side to see a reference to national implementing measures

elucidation
A reference to national implementing measures does not necessarily mean that these measures are either comprehensive or in conformity. The national provisions are shown as communicated by the member states.

N-Lex was developed jointly by the EU publications office and EU governments and launched on 28 April 2006. As interest in the project has grown, the number of national sites has risen from 4 at the outset to 27 today – with the long-term goal to include all EU countries.

The site offers an interface between you and databases on national legislation.