The European Union (EU) comprises 27 Member countries : France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Austria, Sweden, Finland, Cyprus, Malta, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania.
Making up the world’s largest multi-nation trading bloc, EU Member States accept the entire body of EU laws and obligations associated with the treaties and agreements to which the EU is a party.
Originally created as a customs union, the EU slowly is becoming a single market and harmonizing legislation between the 25 Member States is a lengthy process. Imported products must meet existing Member State requirements in cases where EU regulatory harmonization is not yet complete.