Most of what the EU passes is regulations that the member states have to put into laws. The member states can create laws that are stricter. For instance the E

Most of what the EU passes is regulations that the member states have to put into laws. The member states can create laws that are stricter. For instance the EU mandates at least 14 weeks of maternal leave (http://ec.europa.eu/justice/gender-equality/rights/work-life-balance/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/justice/gender-equality/rights/work-life...). All EU countries except Germany actually mandate more than 14 weeks: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_leave#Europe_and_Central_Asia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_leave#Europe_and_Cent... Similarly countries can also have stricter laws regarding pesticides.