Web and app accessibility: member states approve EU-wide rules

On 25 May 2016 the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) confirmed the deal reached with the European Parliament on the first rules to make public sector websites and mobile applications (apps) more accessible across the EU.

The draft directive requires EU countries to ensure that the websites and mobile apps of public sector bodies meet common European accessibility standards. In addition, people will be able to request specific information if content is inaccessible.

The new requirements will make content more accessible and usable for all users, and will especially benefit those with disabilities or age-related limitations.

What's next?

Once the agreed text has undergone legal-linguistic finalisation, it needs to be formally approved first by the Council and then by the Parliament. The procedure is expected to be completed in the autumn.  

For more information, please see our press release from 3 May 2016 (link below).

• Draft directive on the accessibility of public sector bodies' websites - text subject to revision
• More accessible websites across Europe: agreement with European Parliament (3 May 2016 press release)