Article 1 
This Directive implements the European Agreement concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time in inland waterway transport, concluded on 15 February 2012 by the European Barge Union (EBU), the European Skippers Organisation (ESO) and the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF), as set out in the Annex hereto.
Article 2 
1. Member States may maintain or introduce provisions more favourable than those laid down in this Directive. 2. The implementation of this Directive shall under no circumstances constitute sufficient grounds for justifying a reduction in the general level of protection of workers in the fields covered by this Directive. This shall be without prejudice to the rights of Member States and social partners to lay down, in the light of changing circumstances, legislative, regulatory or contractual arrangements different from those prevailing at the time of the adoption of this Directive, provided that the minimum requirements laid down in this Directive are complied with. 3. The application and interpretation of this Directive shall be without prejudice to any Union or national provision, custom or practice providing for more favourable conditions for the workers concerned.
Article 3 
Member States shall determine what penalties are applicable when national provisions enacted pursuant to this Directive are infringed. The penalties shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.
Article 4 
1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 31 December 2016 at the latest. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. When Member States adopt those provisions, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by Member States. 2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.
Article 5 
This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union .
Article 6 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.