The Council of European Union acts on the Commission's proposals and sends proposed legislation to the European Parliament for comment before adopting legislation. The Parliament proposes amendments and holds hearings and debates on proposed legislation. The different types of EU legislation are Treaties, Regulations, Directives, Decisions, Opinions, and Recommendations.
Treaties are the founding and Primary EU law.
Regulations are laws adopted by the Council from Commission proposals which are binding on all Member States. No national action is needed for implementation. Directives are also laws adopted by the Council from Commission proposals. They differ from Regulations in that they bind the Member States as to policy objectives but leave it to the individual Member States to enact legislation to carry out the policy. Decisions are issued by the Commission to individuals or Member States to enforce a Treaty or Regulation.