36 Questions
What is the fundamental principle of EU law that limits the EU's actions to the competences conferred upon it?
Principle of Conferral
What is the main objective of the Union policy on the environment, as stated in Article 191 of the TFEU?
Contributing to the pursuit of environmental protection and human health
Which category of competences does the EU have in the field of environment?
Both shared and exclusive competence
What is the primary source of the EU's competence to act on environmental issues?
The Treaties signed by the Member States
What is the purpose of the EU's competence to act on environmental issues, as stated in Article 191 of the TFEU?
To protect human health and the environment
What are the three main categories of competences conferred upon the EU by the Member States?
Exclusive, shared, and supporting competences
What is an exclusive competence of the EU?
An area where the EU alone is able to legislate and adopt binding acts
Where can the EU's exclusive competences be found?
In Articles 2-6 of the TFEU
Which area of EU policy is exclusively competent to the EU?
Monetary policy for euro area countries
What is the principle of the primacy of EU law based on?
The idea that EU laws will prevail in case of a conflict with national laws
In which area of EU policy do EU countries exercise their own competence where the EU does not exercise its own?
Internal market
What is the main focus of EU health policy?
Protecting and improving health, giving equal access to modern and efficient healthcare for all Europeans
What is the primary goal of EU environmental legislation in the area of climate change?
Tackling climate change
What is the main objective of EU programmes in the area of industry?
Helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access finance and markets
What is the EU's role in the area of culture?
Preserving and promoting European cultural heritage
Which area of EU policy is related to the conservation of marine biological resources?
Common fisheries policy
What is the main objective of EU policy in the area of research, technological development, and space?
Supporting EU countries' research and development initiatives
What is the primary focus of EU environmental legislation in the area of air pollution?
Reducing air pollution in EU countries
What is the category of competence where the EU and EU countries can legislate and adopt legally binding acts?
Shared competence
In which area of EU policy does the EU have exclusive competence?
Monetary policy for euro area countries
What is the principle that ensures EU rules are applied uniformly throughout the Union?
The principle of primacy of EU law
What is the focus of EU health policy?
Protecting and improving human health
What is the purpose of EU programmes in the area of industry?
To support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access finance and markets
What is the category of competence where the EU can only intervene to support, coordinate or complement the action of EU countries?
Supporting competence
What is the focus of EU policy in the area of culture?
Preserving Europe's shared cultural heritage and promoting the arts and creative industries
In which area of EU policy do EU countries exercise their own competence where the EU does not exercise, or has decided not to exercise, its own?
Shared competence areas where the EU does not exercise its competence
What is the area of EU policy related to the conservation of marine biological resources?
Exclusive competence of the EU
What is the category of competence that applies to areas such as agriculture, fisheries, and environmental issues?
Shared competence
What is the principle that dictates the EU's actions are limited to the competences conferred upon it by the Member States?
Principle of conferral
What is the primary objective of the Union policy on the environment as stated in Article 191 of the TFEU?
Preserving, protecting, and improving the quality of the environment, protecting human health, prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources, and promoting measures at international level to deal with regional or worldwide environmental problems, and in particular combating climate change.
What are the three main categories of competences conferred upon the EU by the Member States?
Exclusive competences, shared competences, and supporting competences.
In which article of the TFEU can the EU's exclusive competences be found?
Article 3 TFEU
What is the significance of Article 5 of the TEU in relation to EU competences?
It lays down the principle of conferral, which dictates that the EU acts only within the limits of the competences conferred upon it by the Member States.
What is the purpose of the EU's competence to act on environmental issues, as stated in Article 191 of the TFEU?
To contribute to the pursuit of the objectives outlined in Article 191, including preserving, protecting, and improving the quality of the environment.
What is the difference between exclusive and shared competences conferred upon the EU by the Member States?
Exclusive competences are areas in which the EU alone is able to legislate and adopt binding acts, while shared competences are areas in which both the EU and Member States have competence.
Where can the EU's competences be found?
In the Treaties and Articles 2-6 of the TFEU.
Study Notes
The Scope of European Environmental Law
- The EU's competence to act on environmental issues has been conferred upon it by the Member States and the Treaties they have signed.
- The principle of conferral is laid down in Article 5 of the TEU, which states that the EU acts only within the limits of the competences conferred upon it by the Treaties.
Competences of the EU
- The EU's competences can be divided into three main categories: exclusive, shared, and supporting competences.
- These competences are defined in Articles 2-6 of the TFEU.
Exclusive Competences
- The EU has exclusive competence in the following areas:
- Customs union
- Establishing competition rules necessary for the functioning of the internal market
- Monetary policy for euro area countries
- Conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy
- Common commercial policy
- Conclusion of international agreements under certain conditions
Shared Competences
- The EU and EU countries are able to legislate and adopt legally binding acts in the following areas:
- Internal market
- Social policy (for aspects specifically defined in the Treaty)
- Economic, social, and territorial cohesion (regional policy)
- Agriculture and fisheries (except conservation of marine biological resources)
- Environment
- Consumer protection
- Transport
- Trans-European networks
- Energy
- Area of freedom, security, and justice
- Shared safety concerns in public health matters (limited to aspects defined in the TFEU)
- Research, technological development, and space
- Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
Supporting Competences
- The EU can only intervene to support, coordinate, or complement the action of EU countries in the following areas:
- Protection and improvement of human health
- Industry
- Culture
- Tourism
- Education, vocational training, youth, and sport
- Civil protection
- Administrative cooperation
The Scope of European Environmental Law
- The EU's competence to act on environmental issues has been conferred upon it by the Member States and the Treaties they have signed.
- The principle of conferral is laid down in Article 5 of the TEU, which states that the EU acts only within the limits of the competences conferred upon it by the Treaties.
Competences of the EU
- The EU's competences can be divided into three main categories: exclusive, shared, and supporting competences.
- These competences are defined in Articles 2-6 of the TFEU.
Exclusive Competences
- The EU has exclusive competence in the following areas:
- Customs union
- Establishing competition rules necessary for the functioning of the internal market
- Monetary policy for euro area countries
- Conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy
- Common commercial policy
- Conclusion of international agreements under certain conditions
Shared Competences
- The EU and EU countries are able to legislate and adopt legally binding acts in the following areas:
- Internal market
- Social policy (for aspects specifically defined in the Treaty)
- Economic, social, and territorial cohesion (regional policy)
- Agriculture and fisheries (except conservation of marine biological resources)
- Environment
- Consumer protection
- Transport
- Trans-European networks
- Energy
- Area of freedom, security, and justice
- Shared safety concerns in public health matters (limited to aspects defined in the TFEU)
- Research, technological development, and space
- Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
Supporting Competences
- The EU can only intervene to support, coordinate, or complement the action of EU countries in the following areas:
- Protection and improvement of human health
- Industry
- Culture
- Tourism
- Education, vocational training, youth, and sport
- Civil protection
- Administrative cooperation
This quiz covers the scope of European environmental law, including the EU's competence to act on environmental issues and the categories of competences. It explains the principle of conferral and the different types of competences the EU has.
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