Directory · 13 entries

Commencement rules: directory

This directory lists the rules that decide when a law starts to bind. Default rules apply when a law names no start date. In the UK an Act then comes into force at the beginning of the Royal Assent day ¹. In Canada it takes effect on the assent date ². In Germany it takes effect on the 14th day after the gazette issue ³. Worked examples show how EU, US and Hong Kong measures set their own dates ^4,6⁷.

Last checked 6 November 2026

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Act of Parliament with a named start day
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Type
Default rule
Commencement rule
Comes into force at the beginning of the named day ¹
Source
Interpretation Act 1978, s.4(a) ¹
Act of Parliament with no start provision
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Type
Default rule
Commencement rule
Comes into force at the beginning of the day on which the Act receives Royal Assent ¹
Source
Interpretation Act 1978, s.4(b) ¹
UK MAR revocation by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Type
Worked example
Commencement rule
Listed by legislation.gov.uk as an outstanding change not yet applied to the text, which is up to date to 6 November 2026 ⁸
Source
legislation.gov.uk ⁸
Act of Parliament with no commencement date
Jurisdiction
Canada
Type
Default rule
Commencement rule
Takes effect on the date of assent ²
Source
Interpretation Act, s.5(2) ²
Enactment expressed to take effect on a particular day
Jurisdiction
Canada
Type
Default rule
Commencement rule
Takes effect on the expiration of the previous day ²
Source
Interpretation Act, s.6(1) ²
Record of the assent date
Jurisdiction
Canada
Type
Default rule
Commencement rule
The Clerk of the Parliaments endorses the day, month and year of assent after the title, and the endorsement forms part of the Act ²
Source
Interpretation Act, s.5(1) ²
Federal law or statutory instrument
Jurisdiction
Germany
Type
Default rule
Commencement rule
Must specify the date it takes effect ³
Source
Basic Law, Article 82(2) ³
Federal law or statutory instrument with no date
Jurisdiction
Germany
Type
Default rule
Commencement rule
Takes effect on the 14th day after the day the Federal Law Gazette issue was published ³
Source
Basic Law, Article 82(2) ³
Regulation (EU) 2024/2809, Listing Act
Jurisdiction
European Union
Type
Worked example
Commencement rule
Date of document 23 October 2024. First date of entry into force 4 December 2024 ⁴
Source
EUR-Lex ⁴
MAR changes for protracted processes
Jurisdiction
European Union
Type
Worked example
Commencement rule
Apply from 5 June 2026, with no transitional provision ⁵
Source
FIN-FSA ⁵
SEC cybersecurity disclosure rules
Jurisdiction
United States
Type
Worked example
Commencement rule
Effective 30 days after Federal Register publication. Form 8-K disclosure from the later of 90 days after publication or 18 December 2023 ⁶
Source
SEC press release 2023-139 ⁶
SEC cybersecurity rules, smaller reporting companies
Jurisdiction
United States
Type
Worked example
Commencement rule
An additional 180 days before Form 8-K disclosure is required ⁶
Source
SEC press release 2023-139 ⁶
Securities and Futures Ordinance, Part XIVA
Jurisdiction
Hong Kong
Type
Worked example
Commencement rule
Took effect on 1 January 2013 ⁷
Source
SFC Guidelines ⁷

Notes

Default rules for Australia, India, France, the EU treaty rule and the US were not added in this edition. The official texts could not be read at the time of writing.
Worked examples show one measure each and are not general rules ^4,5^6,7⁸.

Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@datedrecord.com.

Act of Parliament with a named start day

Act of Parliament with no start provision

UK MAR revocation by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023

Act of Parliament with no commencement date

Enactment expressed to take effect on a particular day

Record of the assent date

Federal law or statutory instrument

Federal law or statutory instrument with no date

Regulation (EU) 2024/2809, Listing Act

MAR changes for protracted processes

SEC cybersecurity disclosure rules

SEC cybersecurity rules, smaller reporting companies

Securities and Futures Ordinance, Part XIVA

Notes

Sources