Evrópurétti

Evrópurétti, in Icelandic, refers to the body of law that governs the European Union and, to varying degrees, the European Economic Area. It covers the rules created by EU institutions and, for non-EU EEA members, the rules implemented through the EEA Agreement. The field draws on treaties such as the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, as well as Regulations, Directives, Decisions, and the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. In the EEA, similar rules are transposed into national law through the EEA Agreement and implemented by domestic legislation; in Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein, this is overseen by national courts and the EFTA Surveillance Authority, with the EFTA Court addressing disputes under the EEA Agreement.

EU law has primacy over inconsistent national law and may have direct effect in some cases, allowing individuals to rely on certain provisions before national courts. Regulations are generally directly applicable, while Directives set outcomes to be achieved but require national transposition. EU law also governs the internal market, competition, state aid, environment, consumer protection, and more, with enforcement through the CJEU and specialized agencies.

In Iceland, European law operates primarily through the EEA Agreement. While Iceland is not an EU member, significant parts of EU internal-market law apply, often requiring implementing legislation at the national level. Citizens and companies in Iceland may be subject to EEA rules, with disputes often resolved by Icelandic courts and, in relevant cases, the EFTA Court or the EFTA Surveillance Authority.

Evrópurétti continues to evolve as EU law develops and is integrated through the EEA framework, balancing supranational rules with national sovereignty and democratic controls.