A directive is an act that sets a goal for all Member states to achieve, such as was the case with DIRECTIVE 2006/60/EC. The individual states were charged with the responsibility to create their own laws to meet the goals specified in that directive for creating a EPR system throughout the EU.
A regulation is a binding legislative act that requires all Member states to follow. It must be followed in its entirety throughout the EU.
Therefore, simply put, a directive provides a framework for individual Member states to create their own national laws, while a regulation is a law that will apply in all EU countries.