Allocation of Competences

Question 1

Exclusive Competences

Answer 1

Competences in which only the EU can legislate and adopt binding acts (i.e. custom union, monetary policy for euro zone area).
MS are able to do so themselves in certain circumstances:
-for political reasons where the EU cannot act
-for objective constraints

Question 2

Shared Competences

Answer 2

Both Eu and MS can legislate and adopt binding acts, but they cannot do it at the same time.
Vast majority of EU policies are comprehended, i.e. internal market, consumer protection, environment
MS exercise their own competence where the EU does not exercise or has decided not to exercise its own competence

Question 3

Parallel/Supporting Competences

Answer 3

Competences where the EU can only intervene to support, coordinate, complement the action of MS
i.e. industry, culture, tourism