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Acquis (EU)
Practical Law UK Glossary 3-503-0298 (Approx. 3 pages)
Glossary
Acquis (EU)
The body of common laws, rights and obligations that bind all the member states together within the EU. Also known as the acquis communautaire, Community acquis or EU acquis.
The acquis is constantly evolving and comprises:
- The content, principles and political objectives of the EU Treaties.
- The legislation adopted in application of the EU Treaties and the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
- The declarations and resolutions adopted by the EU.
- Measures relating to the common foreign and security policy.
- Measures relating to justice and home affairs.
- International agreements concluded by the EU and those concluded by the member states between themselves in the field of the EU's activities.
Therefore, the acquis comprises not just EU law in the strict sense. The EU has committed itself to maintaining the acquis in its entirety and developing it further.
Candidate countries must accept and implement the acquis before they can join the EU.