directiva

Directiva is a Spanish term with several related meanings, all centered on guiding actions or outcomes. In general use, it denotes an instruction, guideline, or directive that indicates how something should be done. The word also appears in organizational language to refer to a guiding policy or set of instructions used within a company or institution.

In the context of the European Union, a directive is a binding legal act that obliges member states to achieve a defined result. Member states must transpose the directive into their national legal systems within a specified deadline, choosing the appropriate measures and instruments to reach the stated objectives. Directives harmonize laws across the union while allowing national variations in methods. They differ from EU regulations, which are directly applicable in all member states without transposition. The directive’s effect on individuals depends on national implementation; in some cases, directives may have direct effect if their provisions are unconditional and sufficiently precise.

In corporate governance and administration, directiva can refer to the board of directors or the management group responsible for strategic decision-making and oversight. In this sense, “la directiva” denotes the leadership collectively, while “junta directiva” emphasizes the formal board.

Etymologically, directiva derives from Latin directivus, related to directing or guiding. The term thus encompasses both formal legal instruments and broader notions of guidance and management.