> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://tieback.io/docs/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://tieback.io/docs/_mcp/server.

# Entry into Force

> The date on which an EU legal act becomes part of Union law, which is usually not the date its obligations start to apply.

## Definition

Entry into force is the date on which a European Union legal act becomes legally binding as part
of Union law, normally on a date stated in the act itself or on the twentieth day following its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

## Expanded Explanation

Entry into force and application are different events. An act that has entered into force exists in
law and can support further steps, such as the adoption of delegated acts. Its substantive
obligations may nevertheless only bite from a later application date, and different provisions of
the same act can apply from different dates.

Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 illustrates the pattern. The framework is in force, but the concrete
Digital Product Passport requirements for most product groups arrive through delegated acts, each
with its own dates.

The test for any obligation is therefore three-part: has the act entered into force, has the
applicable date been reached, and does a product-specific measure apply to this product.

## Why It Matters

Confusing the two dates is the most common error in regulatory planning. It produces either
premature spending or a missed deadline, depending on which way the mistake runs.

## Legal and Regulatory Context

Article 297 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union governs publication and entry
into force of Union acts.

## Relationship to Adjacent Concepts

Entry into force precedes the application date; a transition period is the gap the legislator leaves
between them.

## Common Misconceptions

#### Once a regulation is in force the obligations apply

Not necessarily. Many provisions apply from a later date set in the act, and product-specific
duties may wait for a delegated act.

## Related Terms

* [Delegated Act](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/delegated-act)
* [ESPR](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/espr)
* [Working Plan](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/working-plan)

## Related Knowledge Base Articles

* [When Will Digital Product Passports Become Mandatory?](/docs/knowledge-base/regulations/when-will-digital-product-passports-become-mandatory)
* [What Are Delegated Acts?](/docs/knowledge-base/regulations/what-are-delegated-acts)

## Related Articles

* [Working Plan](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/working-plan)
* [Authorised Representative](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/authorised-representative)
* [Conformity Assessment](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/conformity-assessment)
* [Corrective Action](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/corrective-action)
* [EU Declaration of Conformity](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/eu-declaration-of-conformity)
* [Harmonised Standard](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/harmonised-standard)
* [Market Surveillance](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/market-surveillance)
* [Market Surveillance Authority](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/market-surveillance-authority)

## See Also

* [Regulations](/docs/knowledge-base/regulations/overview)
* [Governance & Assurance](/docs/knowledge-base/compliance-frameworks/overview)

## References

* Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Article 297:
  [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A12012E%2FTXT](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A12012E%2FTXT)
* Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 establishing a framework for ecodesign requirements:
  [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1781/oj](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1781/oj)

## About This Article

About This Article

<dl>
  <dt>
    Last Reviewed
  </dt>

  <dd>
    2026-08-09
  </dd>

  <dt>
    Next Scheduled Review
  </dt>

  <dd>
    2027-08-09
  </dd>

  <dt>
    Article Version
  </dt>

  <dd>
    1.0
  </dd>
</dl>

tieback Knowledge is a continuously maintained reference library covering Digital Product
Passports, product traceability, product compliance and related regulations. Articles are
reviewed regularly as legislation, standards and implementation guidance evolve.

## Related Docs

* [Regulations](/docs/knowledge-base/regulations/overview)
* [Digital Product Passports](/docs/knowledge-base/digital-product-passports/overview)
* [Glossary](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/overview)