Directives - they are addressed to all member states and require an objective to be achieved by a given date. National authorities must draw up legislation in order to conform with the Directive within a certain time frame (the date of implementation is known as the date of transposition). In the UK, Directives are usually implemented by Statutory Instruments and occasionally by Acts

Decisions - issued by the Council or Commission; these are not of general application. They may be addressed to particular member states, individuals or companies and they are binding on those to whom they are addressed