LAW Foreign Legislation
About the EU
The European Union (EU) began in 1952 with 6 members and now has 28 member countries that share sovereignty and communicate using 23 official languages. The criteria for membership includes maintaining democracy and the rule of law, having a functioning market economy and the ability to implement EU laws. There are five major insitutions in the EU: the Commission, the Council, the European Parliament, the Court of Justice and the Court of Auditors. The principle of solidarity arises from a desire for peace and prosperity that was a reaction to the World Wars. Legislative areas affect single market, education, health and the environment. International trade rules may include a single import tariff, the same regulatory standards and the same remedial actions (i.e., antidumping).
- EuropaOfficial website of the European Union.
- EuroDocsOnline Sources for European History - Selected Transcriptions, Facsimiles and Translations.
- European e-Justice PortalProviding information on justice systems and improving access to justice throughout the EU, in 23 languages.
EU Treaties and Legislation
Treaties are the primary legislation and EU treaties are the basis for democratic cooperation built on law. The first treaty was the Treaty of Rome and the Lisbon Treaty is the latest constitutional treaty. EU law may be found using language, terminology or topics from the governing treaty. A EU statutory text is considered secondary legislation and includes regulations, directives and decisions.Legislative process and the participation of a European Parliament take place under a complex set of rules.
Intergovernmental Conferences (IGC) are summit meetings that are held as the formal procedure for negotiation and proposing amendments to the founding treaties. They are a source of information for changes to the operational framework.
Key Players
The legislative process is a co-decision function with the Parliament and Council exercising together in relationship to proposals, mostly from the Commission. Law-making procedures at the EU primarily involve these three bodies:
- The European CommissionNegotiates multilateral and bilateral treaties on behalf of the 28 Member States and reports regularly to the Council and the European Parliament (EP). The Commission writes the first draft of legislation and proposes policies.
- The Council of the European Union (EU governments)Council of the European Union, also informally known as the EU Council, is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies. One of the authorities that co-decides directives for negotiations, follows the negotiation process, approves the results of the negotiations and approves legislation. It can also propose legislation of its own.
- The European Parliament (EP)The Parliament is elected and is one of the two authorities that co-decides (with the Council) on approval of legislation and gives consent on agreements. The Parliament gives its opinion on proposals or amendments and can address questions to the Commission.
Selected EU Committees & Agencies
The EU also has committees that may be consulted for opinions. These include:
- The Economic and Social CommitteeThe EESC represents civil and social policy interest groups.
- The Committee of the RegionsThe EU's Assembly of Regional and Local Representatives consults on the implementation of policies at the closest regional or national level under the principle of subsidiarity.
- European Environment AgencyThe European Environment Agency (EEA) is an agency of the European Union. A major information source for those involved in developing, adopting, implementing and evaluating environmental policy, and also the general public. Currently, the EEA has 33 member countries.
Finding EU Publications
There are open sources with bibliographic tools for locating documents:
- Publications OfficeThe publishing house of the institutions, agencies and other bodies of the European Union. It provides direct and free-of-charge access to European law and the publications of the European Union.
- EU BookshopEveryone can use the EU bookshop and most publications are free and may be downloaded in PDF.
Selected Books
Understanding European Union Law by Call Number: KJE949 .D38 2013 C.1ISBN: 9780415699037Publication Date: 2013-01-30The new edition incorporates numerous learning aids, including; summaries; end of chapter questions for self-testing and reflection; updated flow diagrams; a glossary of terms and important tips on how to approach examination questions.- The ABC of European Union law byCall Number: KJE947 .B67 2010ISBN: 9789278405250Publication Date: 2010.The Lisbon Treaty entered into force on December 1, 2009, after being ratified by all 27 member states of the European Union, and introduced changes to European law and institutions. This publication, by Klaus-Dieter Borchardt, examines the roots of the European project and its development as a legal order, and is a definitive reference work on the subject. The author offers insight into how the European Union is built, its broad principles and the legal order underpinning it, looking at this in relation to the national laws of the member states.--Publisher's description.
A Glossary of the European Union by Call Number: KJE926.5 .J66 2008ISBN: 9780748625758Publication Date: 2008-02-08This A-Z guide explains the key concepts and institutions linked to the European Union, along with brief biographies of the leading figures related to the foundation and development of the EU.
