Definitions for "Acquis communautaire"
The entire body of legislation of the European Communities and Union, of which a significant body relates to justice and home affairs. Applicant countries must accept the acquis before they can join the EU. (See enlargement)
The body of EU legislation which candidate countries must adopt to become EU members.
The acquis communautaire is the body of common rights and obligations which bind the European Union. It is constantly evolving and comprises: the content, principles and political objectives of the Treaties; the legislation adopted in application of the treaties and the case law of the Court of Justice; Declarations and Resolutions adopted by the EU; measures relating to the common foreign and security policy; measures relating to justice and home affairs; international agreements concluded by the Community and those concluded by the Member States between themselves in the field of the EU's activities.