ikrafttredelse

Ikrafttredelse refers to the moment when a law, regulation, or international agreement becomes legally binding and enforceable. It marks when the rules apply to persons, authorities, and entities, and when noncompliance can be sanctioned under the applicable legal system. The term is used in both domestic and international contexts, though the mechanisms differ.

In domestic contexts, ikrafttredelse usually follows legislative approval and publication in an official gazette. The act may take effect on a predetermined date, immediately upon publication, or after a specified grace period. Some provisions may come into force at different times, allowing for phased implementation or transitional arrangements.

In international law, ikrafttredelse describes when a treaty or agreement becomes binding on its parties. This is typically defined in the instrument itself and occurs after the required number of ratifications, accession, or other forms of consent have been deposited with a depository. Some treaties provide for provisional application before entry into force, while others require formal entry into force before any effect. Until the stated date or conditions are met, the treaty generally is not legally binding.

Practical aspects include notification of entry into force by the government or depositary, and, in some jurisdictions, publication in the official records to inform the public. The concept is distinct from adoption or signature, though these steps often precede ikrafttredelse, and from promulgation, which formally announces the law’s existence.