Certified Information Privacy Professional – Europe (CIPP/E) — Question 58

Which statement provides an accurate description of a directive?

Answer options

• A. A directive specifies certain results that must be achieved, but each member state is free to decide how to turn it into a national law.
• B. A directive has binding legal force throughout every member state and enters into force on a set date in all the member states.
• C. A directive is a legal act relating to specific cases and directed towards member states, companies or private individuals.
• D. A directive is a legal act that applies automatically and uniformly to all EU countries as soon as it enters into force.

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is A because a directive requires member states to achieve certain goals but allows them the flexibility to decide how to implement those goals. Options B, C, and D inaccurately describe directives as having uniform binding force or automatic application, which does not reflect the nature of how directives operate within the EU legal framework.