Accessibility

Digital technologies are increasingly important in our economy and social life, with Electronic Communications Services (ECS) becoming a standard part of almost all areas of consumer life. It is therefore necessary to develop digital tools that allow consumers to choose the ECS that meet their needs.

One aim of Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Electronic Communications Code – the EECC – is to ensure that the provision throughout the European Union is of good quality and is affordable through effective competition and real choice which respond to the needs of End Users without discrimination are unmet. It includes the needs of users with disabilities to access services equally to others.

Regarding the application of provisions on equivalent access and choice for End Users with disabilities, the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) highlights that other accessibility legislation, such as Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies – the Web Accessibility Directive – and Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the accessibility requirements for products and services – the European Accessibility Act – also has an impact on technological developments and affect the application of the EECC provisions on equivalent access and choice for End Users with disabilities both now and in the coming years.

BEREC periodically collects information from the National Regulatory Authorities (NRA) to compile an inventory of measures and initiatives that the NRAs might consider when evaluating any action to be pursued under the terms of relevant legislative provisions.