Aaargh, even knowing about the clusterfuck that is the three councils, I still mixed them up >.< Thanks for the additions.
Also, I'd point out that there's still a step 6: once the law has been adopted by the EU, it doesn't come into effect until the countries have incorporated into their own laws, for which I think they have two years?
>Also, I'd point out that there's still a step 6: once the law has been adopted by the EU, it doesn't come into effect until the countries have incorporated into their own laws, for which I think they have two years?
For Directives, yes. However Regulations don't need domestic legislation to take effect, the exact same text is law across the whole of the EU (and often the EEA) as soon as it comes in to effect.
Although once the act has been published in the OJ it is law, irrespective of the type of law. It's just that Directives are addressed to (bind) Member States rather than the population as a whole, thus domestic legislation enacted by the member states is required to bring about the legal effects required in the Directive.
Also, I'd point out that there's still a step 6: once the law has been adopted by the EU, it doesn't come into effect until the countries have incorporated into their own laws, for which I think they have two years?