When a members state is exempted from implementing particular legislation from the Acquis Communautaire. This exemption is negotiated before the accession of a candidate country and has to be approved by the other EU member states.

a temporary waiver from a Regulation or a Directive and is normally only granted by unanimous agreement of the Council of Ministers and for a limited period

Agreed temporary relaxation from the specified requirements in an agreement.

Temporary or permanent exemption from part of the Regulations.

The exemption of one or more Member States from the provisions of European Community legislation.