Twenty-two EU Member States failed to communicate the complete transposition of the EU’s new Directives on Standards for Equality Bodies by the deadline of 19 June 2026.
The countries concerned are Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Finland.
As a result, the European Commission has opened infringement procedures and sent letters of formal notice to the countries concerned.
What are the Equality Bodies Directives?
Equality bodies are national institutions responsible for promoting equal treatment, supporting people who experience discrimination and monitoring equality laws.
In 2024, the EU adopted two laws establishing minimum standards for how these bodies should operate:
- Council Directive (EU) 2024/1499, which covers discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin and, in employment, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation, as well as certain forms of sex discrimination.
- Directive (EU) 2024/1500, which concerns equal treatment between women and men in employment and self-employment.
Member States were required to transpose both directives into their national laws by 19 June 2026.
What is an infringement procedure?
An infringement procedure is a legal process the European Commission can begin when it believes that a Member State has failed to comply with EU law.
The process has several stages.
1. Letter of formal notice
This is the first formal stage. The Commission explains the suspected breach of EU law and asks the Member State to submit its observations and provide further information.
The 22 countries concerned now generally have two months to reply to the Commission.
2. Reasoned opinion
If the Commission concludes that a country is still failing to meet its obligations, it may send a reasoned opinion.
This document formally explains why the Commission considers that the country is breaching EU law and requests that it take the necessary action within a specified period.
3. Referral to the Court of Justice
If the country still does not comply, the Commission may refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The Court can determine whether the Member State has failed to fulfil its obligations under EU law. In cases involving failure to communicate the measures used to transpose a directive, the Commission may also ask the Court to impose financial penalties. Most infringement cases are resolved before reaching the Court.
Why does this matter to disabled people?
Complete transposition of the Equality Bodies Directives is important for disabled people who experience discrimination, particularly in employment and occupation.
The directives require Member States to ensure that equality bodies have:
- stronger competences to combat discrimination, including disability discrimination in employment;
- independence from governments and other external influence;
- sufficient human, technical and financial resources;
- adequate powers to investigate discrimination and support people seeking justice;
- accessible services and procedures;
- the ability to issue opinions, make recommendations and, depending on national law, participate in legal proceedings.
These minimum standards are intended to ensure that equality bodies can carry out their work effectively instead of existing only in name.
The Commission’s action therefore has implications beyond ensuring formal compliance with EU law. Strong and independent equality bodies can help disabled people challenge discrimination, understand their rights and access effective remedies.
Member States must now act quickly to transpose the directives fully and ensure that equality bodies have the independence, resources and authority they need. Holding countries accountable for delays is an important step towards making equality rights enforceable in practice.
