Making up the world's largest multi-nation trading bloc, EU Member States accept the entire body of EU laws and obligations associated with the treaties and agreements to which the EU is a party. Originally created as a customs union, the EU slowly is becoming a single market and harmonizing legislation between the 15 Member States is a lengthy process. Imported products must meet existing Member State requirements in cases where EU regulatory harmonization is not yet complete. EU legislation is made up of Directives and Regulations which must be implemented at the Member State level. Regulations are binding in their entirety and automatically enter into force on a set date in all Member States.
Directives are more common than regulations.
Amendments to existing EU legislation are usually published in new and separate Directives and Regulations. Also, there is a wide variation in inspection fees, in registration fees and in the time required to evaluate dossiers on products used in the course of the food production process.