2.4.3 European Legal System

Regulations are general legal principles that apply directly in all Member States, without requiring a national legislative process (Regulation (EC) no. 1272/2008 → CLP Regulation).

Directives are binding legal norms, however, the Member States have the choice of form / means (-RL (EEC) No. 313/90 → Umweltinformationsgesetz UIG) with regard to the objectives set for the Member States.

Decisions are individual acts, which are only binding the respective Member State (comparable with a German administrative act).

In contrast, recommendations and opinions are not binding and only represent the EU's views on various points.