EUpublicatieblad

EUpublicatieblad, commonly referred to as the Official Journal of the European Union, is the EU’s official, legally binding publication for its acts and official notices. It serves as the formal record and dissemination channel for the EU’s primary and secondary law, ensuring that texts are published in a way that allows national authorities and individuals to know their obligations.

The journal is produced by the Publications Office of the European Union and is published in all official EU languages. It comprises two series. The L series, or Legislative, contains EU regulations, directives, decisions, and treaties. The C series, or Information and Notices, includes non-legislative acts, institutional communications, and various notices and information from EU bodies. Together, the two series cover the full range of EU legal and administrative texts.

Access to the Official Journal is provided online through EUR-Lex and the Publications Office website, offering free, multi-language access to the texts. The documents published in the Official Journal become legally binding according to the terms specified in each act, such as the date of entry into force or transitional provisions. The publication thus underpins the uniform application of EU law across member states and is a primary source for lawyers, researchers, policymakers, and businesses dealing with EU regulations and directives.

Historically, the Official Journal is the successor to earlier compilations of EU law and serves as the formal, contemporaneous record of EU legislative and institutional activity. It remains a central reference for understanding the current legal framework of the European Union.