Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to main navigation

What is the difference between an EU regulation and an EU directive?

A regulation of the European Union is a legal act of the European Union with general validity and direct effect in the Member States. Regulations do not have to be transposed into national law by the EU Member States. Modifications of their provisions by the individual Member States are not possible.
In contrast to regulations, European Union directives are not directly effective and binding, but must instead be implemented by national legislation in order to become effective.
It is left to the individual Member States to decide how to implement directives. When implementing directives, they therefore have a certain amount of leeway.

[GMP Compliance Adviser, Chapter 21.A]

Would you like to discover more?

The GMP Compliance Adviser is the world's largest knowledge portal for quality management in the pharma business. 

The demo access is non-binding and ends automatically.

Test it now for free

You may also be interested in the following articles:

What are the quality requirements for pharmaceutical gases?

What are the quality requirements for pharmaceutical gases?

You can view the answer here:
Read more
EMA: Update on the Guideline “Stability Testing for Variations”

EMA: Update on the Guideline “Stability Testing for Variations”

The EMA has updated the guideline on stability testing for variations (Revision 3, applicable from 15 January 2026).
Read more
EU: Proposal for Simplification of Medical Device Rules

EU: Proposal for Simplification of Medical Device Rules

The European Commission has proposed targeted reforms to simplify the Medical Device Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/745, MDR) and the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/746, IVDR) and to address structural implementation challenges.
Read more
Previous
Next