The EU adopted the Communication “2030 Consumer Agenda and action plan for consumers in the single market – ‘A new impulse for consumer protection, competitiveness and sustainable growth’”. This is the new EU strategy for consumer rights for the next 5 years.
The text contains several explicit references to consumers with disabilities and their rights.
We were pleased to see that the perspective of persons with disabilities is present in this strategy, in line with our contributions to the call for evidence and public consultation of the European Commission.
The strategy mentions, for example,
- accessibility in the context of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and Passengers’ Rights
- standardisation and product safety (accessible information)
- inclusive product design
- inclusive energy transition for all
- governance, including vulnerable groups.
Protecting vulnerable consumers, including persons with disabilities, is an overarching priority of the strategy.
Other concrete actions that could benefit consumers with disabilities:
- rollout of the Digital Wallet,
- a new legislative proposal on Single Digital Booking and Ticketing Regulation for transport,
- an evaluation of Geo-Blocking Regulation,
- monitoring the cost of living and other trends that affect consumers,
- a new legislative proposal for a Digital Fairness Act;
- launch of an European online platform for repair of products;
- And the revision of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation.
If you would like to have a more in-depth analysis from the consumers’ perspective, you can also read the position of BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation.
We will follow up on those initiatives, especially those which are concrete legislative proposals, and advocate for mainstreaming disability rights and accessibility inside all of them. As members of the official Commission’s Consumer Policy Advisory Group, we will also continue participating in meetings to give feedback and exchange information with other stakeholders and policy-makers. In 2026, the call for expression of interest to be members of this group will be renewed.