Can You Run That Past Me Again Please?

I am intrigued by this item on the BBC website, that has also been on various radio stations, in relation to the fact that those selling violent video games and '18 rated' videos to underage children cannot be prosecuted due to an error by the last Conservative Government.

"Dozens of prosecutions under a 1984 Act have been dropped because the government of the day failed to notify the European Commission about the law."

Am I being a tad 'thick' here or does this mean that Parliament can pass a law - one that is not in any manner in contravention of any EU law - but it is not legally enforceable until we have 'lodged the papers' with the EU? In other words, we have to ask permission to pass a law in our own country? Does this have to happen to all our laws?

Someone tell me I am wrong - please?


H/T: LFAT