Making Sure EU Laws Are Actually Followed

Why it matters

• EU law protects citizens, keeps the single market working, and gives the EU credibility.
• Member states must turn EU rules into national law, apply them correctly, and do so on time.
• The Parliament wants the Commission to keep a clear, yearly record of how well this is happening – a practice that has existed for more than 40 years.

Main complaints

• Missing 2024 report – the Commission did not publish its usual annual monitoring report.
• Too much focus on “simplification” – the 2025 overview talks mainly about making rules simpler, but the Parliament wants a balanced view that also looks at enforcement.
• Inadequate data – data on infringement cases (open, closed, started) is incomplete or hard to read.
• Slow implementation – on average, member states take almost 12 months longer than the deadline to transpose directives.
• Too many “delegated” rules – rules made by the Commission after the main rule is adopted make compliance harder.
• Limited use of AI and digital tools – the Parliament wants responsible, transparent use of technology, especially AI in decision‑making.

What the Parliament wants the Commission to do

1. Publish a yearly, country‑by‑country report on EU law application.
2. Make the data open, easy to read, and comparable across member states and policy areas.
3. Explain the methods used to collect and analyse the data.
4. Use “pre‑infringement” talks more often and give clear timelines.
5. Treat infringement cases transparently – publish criteria for pursuing cases, status of open cases, and outcomes.
6. Act on complaints from citizens, NGOs, and businesses by investigating and, if needed, starting infringement cases.
7. Strengthen enforcement of fundamental rights (child protection, media freedom, anti‑racism).
8. Improve the “Europa” platform so it shows explanations of why a case is open or closed.
9. Limit the use of delegated acts that add extra technical detail after the main rule is adopted.
10. Support member states with training, resources, and digital tools to implement EU law faster and more accurately.

Key numbers highlighted

• Closed infringement cases: 1 030 (2023), 535 (2024), 345 (Jan‑Jul 2025).
• Open infringement cases: 1 461 (2023), 1 493 (2024), 1 559 (Jan‑Jul 2025).
• New infringement cases: 528 (2023), 567 (2024).
• Average delay in transposing directives: 11.9 months (2023).
• Environmental implementation gap cost: €180 bn per year.
• RRF funds disbursed by end‑2023: ~33 %.

Sector‑specific concerns

• Trade – need clear application dates; delays hurt EU businesses and credibility.
• Employment – the minimum‑wage directive must be fully adopted; monitor partial transpositions.
• Environment – publish yearly dashboards for each country; non‑implementation costs €180 bn.
• Energy – many infringement cases arise from incomplete implementation; coordinate enforcement, monitoring, and support.
• Digital services – keep a dedicated unit to enforce the Digital Services Act and work with national coordinators.
• Agriculture – ensure CAP funds are used correctly and fraud is prevented.
• Media & culture – improve implementation and monitoring of the Media Freedom Act and Creative Europe programme.
• Internal market – guard against unfair practices that bypass EU rules, especially for creators and small businesses.
• Asylum & migration – report on rule application.
• Gender equality & youth – provide detailed data on the gender equality strategy, Accessibility Act, and youth strategy.

Bottom line
The Parliament is telling the Commission to keep the yearly monitoring report, make the data clear and comparable, act faster and more transparently when a member state fails to follow EU law—especially on fundamental rights—use technology responsibly, and support member states so they can implement EU law on time and correctly while holding them accountable when they do not.

Broader context

This resolution from the European Parliament is not a law, but a political signal aimed at the European Commission. It fits into a long-standing EU system for enforcing rules:

How EU law enforcement works

• The Commission acts as the “guardian of the Treaties”
• If a country breaks EU law, the Commission can start an infringement procedure
• If unresolved, the case can go to the Court of Justice of the European Union, which can impose fines

Why this resolution appears now

• The EU has adopted more complex and numerous laws in recent years (climate, digital, migration, energy)
• There is a growing gap between rules on paper and real-world implementation
• Political tensions in some countries have raised concerns about rule of law and fundamental rights
• The missing 2024 monitoring report is seen as a warning sign of weakening oversight

Key structural issues behind the concerns

Bigger policy trend

The resolution reflects a shift from:

• “Making laws” → “Making laws actually work”

This is especially important in areas like:

• Climate policy (costly if ignored)
• Digital regulation (fast-changing sector)
• Fundamental rights (politically sensitive)

Impact on people living in the EU

1. Your rights may depend on where you live

Even though EU law is supposed to be uniform:

• Some countries delay or partially apply rules

• This can affect:

  • Worker protections
  • Consumer rights
  • Environmental standards

Example: A directive on wages or digital rights may exist, but not yet be enforceable in your country

2. Slower benefits from new EU laws

Because of the ~12-month average delay:

• New protections or benefits arrive later than promised
• Businesses and citizens face legal uncertainty

3. Better transparency (if recommendations are followed)

If the Commission acts on this resolution:

• You could see:

  • Clear dashboards showing how your country performs
  • Open data on violations
  • Easier tracking of complaints

This would make EU governance more visible and understandable

4. More responsive complaint system

Today:

• Complaints to the Commission can feel slow or unclear

Proposed changes:

• Faster handling
• Clear timelines
• More cases actually pursued

Impact:
Citizens, NGOs, and businesses gain a more effective way to challenge governments

5. Stronger protection of fundamental rights

Focus areas include:

• Media freedom
• Child protection
• Anti-discrimination

If enforced better:

• Governments face more pressure to comply
• Individuals gain stronger practical protections, not just theoretical ones

6. Economic impact (indirect but large)

7. Digital life and platforms

With better enforcement of laws like the Digital Services framework:

• Platforms may be:

  • Safer (less illegal content)
  • More accountable

• Users may gain:

  • Clearer rights online
  • Better complaint mechanisms

8. Less “hidden law-making”

Reducing delegated acts means:

• Fewer rules added after the main law is passed
• More clarity upfront

Impact:
Citizens and businesses can understand rules earlier and more clearly

9. Faster and more consistent EU-wide standards

If implementation improves:

• Laws apply at the same time across countries

• Less confusion when:

  • Working abroad
  • Selling products across borders
  • Using digital services in another EU country

Bottom line for individuals

This resolution is about turning EU law from:

• “Rights on paper” → “Rights you can actually rely on”

If implemented, the changes would mainly be felt through:

• More consistent rights across countries
• Faster access to protections
• Greater transparency and accountability of governments