These Regulations, which apply in relation to Wales, substitute for references to Council Directive 89/48/EEC in the Education (School Teachers' Qualifications) (Wales) Regulations 2004 and the Education (Induction Arrangements for School Teachers) (Wales) Regulations 2005 references to the European Communities (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2007 (“the Regulations”). The Regulations implement Council Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications and replaces the previous Council Directive relating to the first, second and third General Systems on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications.

These Regulations also substitute for reference in the Head Teachers' Qualifications and Registration (Wales) Regulations 2005 to the European Communities (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) (First General System) Regulations 2005 reference to The European Communities (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2005.