Publicatieblad

Publicatieblad is a term used in Dutch-language legal and administrative contexts to denote an official publication in which laws, regulations, and official notices are published. It serves as the formal channel by which legal acts are announced to the public and become publicly known. Publication is typically an integral step in the process by which a law or regulation takes effect and is enforceable.

In the European Union context, the Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie, commonly referred to as the Official Journal of the European Union, is the primary official publication for EU law. It publishes two series: Series L, containing legislation such as regulations, directives, and decisions; and Series C, containing information and notices. The Official Journal is issued in all official EU languages and is maintained in electronic form as the definitive source for the text and dates of entry into force of EU acts. For many acts, the date stated in the publication determines when the act becomes legally binding.

The publicatieblad concept also appears in national administrative systems, where governments publish laws, decrees, and regulatory notices in an official gazette. The exact title and format vary by country, but the underlying purpose remains the same: to provide authoritative, publicly accessible notice of legal acts and governmental decisions.

Accessibility is a common feature of publicatiebladen, with online portals and archives enabling search and retrieval of texts. In the EU, EUR-Lex provides convenient access to the Official Journal and EU legislation.