What distinguishes an EU regulation from an EU directive?

An EU regulation is a legal act that becomes immediately enforceable as law in all member states simultaneously. This means that once a regulation is passed at the EU level, it does not require any additional domestic legislation to take effect; it directly applies to all member countries. This characteristic ensures uniformity across the EU, as regulations override any conflicting national laws.

In contrast, an EU directive sets out objectives that member states must achieve but allows them the flexibility to determine how to incorporate these objectives into their own national laws. Each member state can have its own timeline and method for implementation. This distinction is crucial because it means that while directives offer a framework, regulations establish a direct and uniform legal obligation for all EU member states from the moment they come into force.