The entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty has brought about a proliferation of
“integration principles”. In addition to the environmental integration principle,
which has been part of the EU legal framework for some time, the Lisbon Treaty
introduced the principles of gender equality integration, social policy integration,
non-discrimination integration, consumer protection integration as well as animal
welfare integration. Furthermore, a general principle of integration policy objectives
is contained in Article 7 TFEU, requiring that the Union must ensure consistency
between its policies and activities, taking all relevant policy requirements
listed under the TFEU into account in the adoption of any legislative measure.
These integration principles must be pursued, or at least taken into account, when
decisions are being taken in almost any area of EU policy-making. However, there
is considerable uncertainty regarding the normative implications of the various
integration principles as well as their legal value and practical relevance for EU
policymaking.
This book addresses the implications of the proliferation of sectorial integration
principles and the introduction of a universal requirement of policy consistency in
terms of the division of competences between the Union and the Member States
as well as the scope for judicial review of the EU legislative process. In particular,
it explores whether the introduction of various integration principles has led to an
extension of Union competences and whether it has limited the scope for judicial
review by extending the discretionary power of the Union institutions