Direct applicability

A concept of European Union constitutional law that relates specifically regulations, direct applicability (or the characterisitic of regulations to be directly effective) is set out in Article 249 (ex Article 189) of the European Community Treaty (as amended by the Nice Treaty).

Although often confused with the doctrine of direct effect, direct applicability refers to the fact that regulations require no implementing legislation within individual member states - they take effect as soon as they are published. Direct effect is where individuals within member states are able to reply on a European legislative instrument directly in their national courts without having to take a case to the European Court of Justice. The two concepts are not mutually exclusive.