Council Directive (EU) 2024/1499, adopted on 7 May 2024, establishes updated standards for equality bodies to enhance the enforcement of equal treatment across various domains including race, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, and gender. This directive not only revises previous legal frameworks but also aims to ensure consistent and effective application of equality principles throughout the EU.
The directive is designed to bolster the functionality and independence of equality bodies, ensuring they can effectively advocate for and enforce principles of non-discrimination. This is achieved by setting out minimum standards for their operation, which includes maintaining their independence, adequately resourcing them, and empowering them to conduct investigations and provide support to victims of discrimination.
The directive sets a compliance deadline for member states to transpose these requirements into national law by 19 June 2026, ensuring a uniform level of protection against discrimination across the EU. This legislative action represents a significant step towards strengthening the mechanisms for promoting equality and handling discrimination within the EU.
