Nicosia: The incomplete transposition by Cyprus and other Member States of the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) into their national law is the focus of a new infringement procedure by the European Commission.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the EU executive has decided to send a supplementary reasoned opinion to Nicosia for incomplete transposition, as well as to the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Sweden. The Commission is also sending reasoned opinions to other Member States for similar issues, including Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Latvia, and Finland.
The directive sets out common accessibility requirements for basic products and services, such as telephones, computers, e-books, banking services, and electronic communications. It aims to facilitate access for people with disabilities to the market and social life.
Despite Cyprus notifying additional national measures in recent years, significant gaps remain in the directive's transposition. Recurring issues identified include provisions concerning the accessibility of emergency communications, the scope of the legislation, definitions, and enforcement mechanisms. In addition to Cyprus, additional reasoned opinions are being sent.
The European Accessibility Act, adopted in 2019, aims to enhance the participation of people with disabilities in education, work, and society in general, as well as to increase their autonomy and mobility. There are over 100 million people with disabilities in the European Union. The deadline for transposing the directive into national law expired on 28 June 2022, while economic operators will have to fully comply with the common European accessibility requirements by 28 June 2025.
As foreseen in the infringement procedure, Member States, including Cyprus, now have two months to respond to the European Commission and take the necessary corrective measures. Otherwise, the Commission may refer the cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union, requesting the imposition of financial penalties.