The text of the Directive on the freezing and confiscation of proceeds of crime in the EU has been published in the Official Journal of the EU (OJ). The Directive introduces measures intended to make it easier for national authorities to confiscate and recover the profits made by criminals from cross-border and organised crime. However, the UK has decided not to opt in to the Directive.

The Directive was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU at first reading on 25 February 2014 and 14 March 2014 respectively. It will enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the OJ.

View Directive 2014/42/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 on the freezing and confiscation of instrumentalities and proceeds of crime in the European Union, 29 April 2014