European Accessibility Act
To coincide with the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3rd December 2015), the European Commission has proposed a European Accessibility Act, which will set common accessibility requirements for certain key products and services that will help people with disabilities at EU level to participate fully in society.
According to the European Commission the proposal is for a Directive that aims to improve the functioning of the internal market, making it easier for companies to provide accessible products and services across borders. Common accessibility requirements will also apply in the frame of EU procurement rules and for the use of EU funds. The initiative will stimulate innovation and increase the offer of accessible products and services for the around 80 million persons with disabilities in the EU.
There are a number of benefits to having a European Accessibility Act including:
- Ensuring that products and services are more accessible to the people with disabilities.
- Making it easier for producers and service providers to export products and services that comply with the EU requirements, since they won't need to adjust to divergent national rules. In particular, this will help small business to take full advantage of the EU market.
- Removing accessibility barriers and allow for equal participation.
- Making it easier for producers and service providers to export products and services that comply with the EU requirements, since they won't need to adjust to divergent national rules.
- Greater supply of accessible products and services at more competitive prices.
More information on the European Accessibility Act can be found on the following links:
European Accessibility Act Factsheet – Accessible Version
European Commission’s press release on the Accessibility Act
The Accessibility Act Proposal
