OJEU

The Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) is the official gazette of the European Union, published by the Publications Office of the European Union. It serves as the primary source for EU law, policy acts, and other official notices.

The OJEU contains two main series. The L series, or Legislation, publishes binding acts such as regulations, directives, and decisions. The C series, or Information and Notices, contains non-legislative material including public notices, calls for tenders, and contract awards. The Official Journal is issued in all 24 official EU languages and is accessible online through EUR-Lex, the EU legal database.

Legal effect and scope: Publication in the OJEU is essential for the enforceability of EU acts in many cases. Directives require transposition by member states within a specified deadline, while regulations generally become applicable on a specified date after publication. The OJEU also publishes procurement notices and other information related to public contracts, reinforcing transparency and competition within the EU internal market.

Access and history: The OJEU is available free of charge via EUR-Lex, which provides consolidated EU law and searchable archives of the Official Journal. It represents the successor to earlier Official Journals and continues to play a central role in disseminating EU law and regulatory information.

Significance: As the official record of EU law and public notices, the OJEU is a foundational resource for policymakers, legal professionals, businesses, and researchers seeking to understand and comply with EU obligations.