There are six exclusive competences and in those areas the EU makes legislation and decisions independently. Member states make no decisions and do not interfere with the competence in these matters transferred to the EU. The European Commission has been granted power to issue decisions in these areas
The vast majority of policies come under the heading of shared competences. In these areas, both member states and the EU have the power to make laws. However, when the EU and its member states share a competence, the member state loses its power to take decisions when the EU has regulated a certain area