Directives in the European Union

Resume
Identification Directives in the European Union
Source
Article 288 of the Treaty on European Union
(formerly Article 249 of the EC Treaty)
Definition
"A legal act which obliges the Member States to achieve a certain result but leaves them free to choose how to do so".
A directive shall be binding, as to the result to be achieved, upon each Member State to which it is addressed, but shall leave to the national authorities the choice of form and methods.
Key facts
Directives are:

Classified as secondary legislation type in the European Legislation System
Binding for all Member States but requires implementation by national legislation to be effective.
There are Council and Commission Directives

Official Publication
In the Official Journal of the European Union - ‘L’ series (contains the texts of legislation from Directives, Regulations and Decisions).
Online access: http://publications.europa.eu/official/index_en.htm
Online text
EUR-LEX
Option "Legislation in Force"
Paper version
Sales agents of the Office for Official Publications of the European Communities (EUR-OP) throughout the world.
Some examples

Directive 98/34/EC - laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations
New Approach Directives

Resume
Identification	Directives in the European Union
Source	Article 288 of the Treaty on European Union (formerly Article 249 of the EC Treaty)
Definition	"A legal act which obliges the Member States to achieve a certain result but leaves them free to choose how to do so". A directive shall be binding, as to the result to be achieved, upon each Member State to which it is addressed, but shall leave to the national authorities the choice of form and methods.
Key facts	Directives are: Classified as secondary legislation type in the European Legislation System Binding for all Member States but requires implementation by national legislation to be effective. There are Council and Commission Directives
Official Publication	In the Official Journal of the European Union - ‘L’ series (contains the texts of legislation from Directives, Regulations and Decisions). Online access: http://publications.europa.eu/official/index_en.htm
Online text	EUR-LEX Option "Legislation in Force"
Paper version	Sales agents of the Office for Official Publications of the European Communities (EUR-OP) throughout the world.
Some examples	Directive 98/34/EC - laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations New Approach Directives

Adoption process of EU directives

Directive Adoption

Adoption of Directives according to Article 251 of the EC Treaty