The European Accessibility Act is an important EU Directive that will introduce mandatory minimum accessibility requirements for certain products and services across the European Union. These requirements will apply to both the public and private sectors.
The Directive covers a range of commonly used products and services that are important for daily life. It advocates for a universal design or ‘design for all’ approach to accessibility, which means ensuring access for persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others.
I recognise the importance of the European Accessibility Act as a tool for increasing the availability of accessible products and services in the EU. The implementation of the Directive will benefit citizens with accessibility needs, including persons with disabilities and the elderly, as well as creating opportunities for Irish and European businesses trading in accessible goods and services.
My Department has been working for a considerable period of time to transpose this complex Directive and has been engaging widely with a range of departments and agencies, and with legal advisors and the Office of the Attorney General, to progress transposition in the earliest possible course. Regrettably, and despite best efforts, the State was not in a position to transpose the Directive by the transposition deadline and as a result the State is now under infringement proceedings, along with a significant number of other EU Member States.
Every effort is being made to transpose this Directive as quickly as possible in order to ensure that the State is in a position to fully implement the Directive by the implementation deadline of June 2025. My department will be working closely with colleagues across government to ensure timely and effective transposition of this important but complex measure.
