EPR responds to the public consultation of the Equal Treatment Directive 

EPR responds to the public consultation of the Equal Treatment Directive 

In June, EPR participated in a round of consultations on the Equal Treatment Directive organised by the European Parliament (EP). 

To recall, the Directive on Equal Treatment was proposed by the European Commission (EC) in 2008. This Directive aimed to complement the Directive (2000/78/EC), which establishes a framework for equal treatment in employment on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation by extending the protection against discrimination of these groups to areas outside employment: social protection, including social security and healthcare; education; and access to goods and services, including housing. In the case of persons with disabilities, the denial of reasonable accommodation would be recognised as discrimination, and such denial would be forbidden and sanctioned according to the Directive.

While the EP adopted its position in 2009, the file has remained blocked at the Council of the EU until today. This is due to the fact that the approval of this Directive requires unanimity among Member States in the Council of the EU, which has not been reached – although some attempts have been close to achieve this. 

In February 2025, the European Commission proposed the withdrawal of the  Directive. Now, both the EP and Council will need to decide if they agree with its withdrawal. 

Such discussions have already started at the Council of the EU level. On 19 June, the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) formation of the Council of the EU held a policy debate on the Equal Treatment Directive. During the discussion, while several member states were open to the prospect of an updated proposal from the Commission, a large majority preferred to continue working on the existing draft directive with a view to achieving unanimity.

Equal Treatment Directive EC proposal available here.

Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU progress report of the Equal Treatment Directive available here.

2025 EC Work Programme available here.

More information about the EPSCO Council of the EU meeting available here.