Use a cláusula WHEN:
create or replace
TRIGGER ADD_CREATE_DT
after UPDATE of approved ON articles
for each row
when (new.approved = 'Y')
BEGIN
:new.create_dt := sysdate;
END;
Ou use SE:
create or replace
TRIGGER ADD_CREATE_DT
after UPDATE of approved ON articles
for each row
BEGIN
if :new.approved = 'Y' then
:new.create_dt := sysdate;
end if;
END;
Neste caso, WHEN é mais adequado e eficiente.