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In addition, the Treaty on the European Union was signed in 1992, whichentered into force in 1993. The founding treaties have been amended severaltimes in the past. They lay down the values on which the EU is based, theobjectives and powers of the EU, its institutional structure, relations betweenthe Union and its Member States, Union policies and internal actions, i.e. thefoundations of the functioning of the EU.The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, as part of primaryEU law, protects rights and freedoms such as:%u25aa human dignity, the right to life, the right to the integrity of the person, etc.,%u25aa the right to liberty and security, respect for private and family life,protection of personal data, the right to marry and found a family, freedomof thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression and information,etc.,%u25aa equality before the law, non-discrimination, cultural, religious and linguisticdiversity, equality between men and women, the rights of the child, the rightsof the elderly, integration of persons with disabilities,%u25aa workers%u2019 right to information and consultation within the undertaking, theright of collective bargaining and action, fair and just working conditions,prohibition of child labour and protection of young people at work,environmental protection, consumer protection, etc.,%u25aa citizens%u2019 rights such as the right to vote and stand as a candidate atelections to the European Parliament and at municipal elections, the right togood administration, the right of access to documents, the EuropeanOmbudsman, the right to petition, freedom of movement and residence,diplomatic and consular protection,%u25aa the right to an effective remedy and a fair trial, presumption of innocenceand the right of defence, etc.Secondary law comprises legal acts adopted by EU institutions based on thecompetences granted to them by primary law. It provides a more detailedregulation compared to primary law. The TFEU sets out five basic types ofsecondary legislation, namely regulations, directives, decisions, opinions, andrecommendations. They differ in terms of the addressee as well as the effectthey have in the Member States. Depending on the specific type of secondarylegislation, the addressees may be EU institutions, Member States, or naturalor legal persons. Regarding the effect of secondary legislation, the directapplicability and binding nature are relevant. While regulations, directives, anddecisions are binding, opinions and recommendations are non-binding. Thedefinition of five typical legal acts is provided by Article 288 of the TFEU. Asthey are adopted through the ordinary or a special legislative procedure, they151.1 Dynamic European Integration Environment

