A provisional agreement has been reached between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on the proposal for a European Accessibility Act. Its main aim is to improve the functioning of the internal market for accessible products and services by removing barriers created by certain laws and regulations. It contains benefits for both businesses, and for persons with a disability.

Businesses will be benefitting from easier cross-border trading and more marketing opportunities for accessible products and services. Meanwhile, persons with disabilities shall be enjoying a greater share of accessible products and services on the market, at competitive prices. The Act also looks at decreasing barriers related to educational accessibility and the open labour market.

Currently, there are more than 80 million people in the EU with a disability. Sound accessibility is necessary to ensure that everyone can have an active role in society, and it also contributes to ensure smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

The European Accessibility Act also looks to ensure that all current European legislation on accessibility is in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.