Gender Equal Access to Goods and Services Directive 2004/113/EC

Directive 2004/113/EC is part of EU anti-discrimination law and sets minimum rules for ensuring gender equality in access to and supply of goods and services. Its implementation across EU Member States is critically assessed in this study. It concludes that the notion of ‘indirect discrimination’ requires increased attention, for example in the health sector or in relation to the rapidly developing collaborative economy. Multiple cause-effect relationships require that gender equality in accessing goods and services is pursued by the application of this directive in synergy with other gender equality, anti-discrimination, accessibility and consumer protection law. This European implementation assessment is intended to support the implementation report being prepared on the subject by the European Parliament’s Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality.