The objective of the proposed directive is to improve the proper functioning of the internal market and remove and prevent barriers for the free movement of accessible products and services. This should help to meet the needs of industry and consumers as well as assist in implementing the principle according to which people with disabilities or other persons with functional limitations could access products and services on an equal basis with others. This would also be in line with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The Proposal will define the common accessibility requirements for certain goods and services in the EU and give content to the obligation of accessibility laid down in EU law.
The Committee agrees that Member States do need common accessibility requirements for certain products and services. The Committee believes that the EU-wide measures (access to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public) are needed to ensure accessibility of products and services both in urban and in rural areas to persons with functional limitations, including persons with disabilities.
The Committee has decided that the Proposal does not conflict with the principle of subsidiarity.
