Decision-making in the EU
EU legislation is often referred to as “Brussels decides” or “Europe imposes”, but reality is more balanced. In fact 3 European institutions have to cooperate before Community laws can enter into force. In general, the European Commission proposes new legislation, but the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament pass the laws. Notwithstanding majority voting for a great number of issues, national ministers and Members of the European Parliament thus have a great say on what EU laws finally look like.

For most transport matters, there is co-decision, the most common procedure for EU law making. This means that, once the European Commission has formulated a proposal, the European Parliament shares equal power with the Council of Ministers to approve, amend or reject this proposal. If the Council and Parliament cannot agree on a piece of proposed legislation, it is put before a conciliation committee. With regard to competition rules and state aid, the European Commission can take decisions without the participation of the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

Waterway transport and EU law
In the pages to the left you will find an overview of EU legislation directly concerning inland waterway transport activities.

Warning: the list of legislation on these web pages is not exhaustive.