When did the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU become binding?

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union became binding in 2009 with the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. This treaty formally recognized the Charter and made it an integral part of EU law, meaning that it must be observed by the European institutions and by member states when implementing EU law. Prior to this, the Charter was adopted in 2000, but it did not have binding legal effects until the Lisbon Treaty was enacted, which is why the year 2009 is significant. It marked a transition where the rights enshrined in the Charter were elevated to a status that must be respected and upheld within the EU legal framework, outlining fundamental rights such as dignity, freedoms, equality, and solidarity among others.