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DRAFT OPINION (COM(2023)0512 – C90328/2023 – 2023/0311(COD))

On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities.

TRAN-PA-755987

Committee on Transport and Tourism · Rapporteur: Erik Bergkvist

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The Committee on Transport and Tourism's draft opinion on the proposed directive establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities welcomes the proposal and proposes amendments. It proposes National Contact Points as one-stop shops, a European web portal, free issuance and renewal, braille information, and clear information for cross-border transport passengers. It sets deadlines for delegated acts on digital formats, shortens issuance and transposition periods, and requires the Commission to assess the directive and propose amendments if needed.

Committee position. The Committee on Transport and Tourism calls on the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs to take into account its amendments, which welcome the proposal and propose improvements on access, information, digital formats, deadlines and free issuance.

Key points

  1. The rapporteur welcomes the Commission's proposal to create a European Disability Card and a European Parking Card, combining both into one proposal.
  2. The proposal replaces Council Recommendation 98/376/EC with common rules and a common template for the parking card.
  3. The rapporteur believes the cards will support free movement for persons with disabilities but says the proposal can be improved.
  4. Each Member State shall establish a National Contact Point as a one-stop shop for information and guidance on the cards, connected through a European web portal.
  5. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts no later than 12 months after entry into force to set the digital format of the cards.
  6. Member States shall ensure operators provide clear information to travellers at purchase on where special conditions or preferential treatments apply in cross-border passenger transport.
  7. The rapporteur refrains from amending the scope to avoid a bureaucratic burden on Member States.
  8. The Commission shall regularly assess whether the directive has met its objectives and its interaction with other Union legal acts, and if appropriate propose amendments.
  9. Amendments add that the cards should contain all relevant information in braille and that issuance and renewal should always be free of charge.
  10. The parking card shall be issued or renewed within 30 days, with a digital version ready in 15 days upon request.
  11. Member States shall transpose the directive within 12 months and apply the provisions within 24 months after entry into force.
  12. The Commission shall submit a report on the application of the directive two years after the date of application and every five years thereafter.

Who is affected

  • Persons with disabilities, who would benefit from mutual recognition of disability status and access to special conditions in other Member States.
  • Member States, which must establish National Contact Points, issue cards, and ensure information is available.
  • Operators of cross-border passenger transport services, which must provide clear information to travellers at purchase.
  • Workers with disabilities, including cross-border workers, who should have access to the cards for work-related purposes.

Figures and deadlines

  • 12 months after entry into force: deadline for Commission to adopt delegated acts on digital format of the European Disability Card.
  • 12 months after entry into force: deadline for Commission to adopt delegated acts on digital format of the European Parking Card.
  • 30 days: maximum period for issuing or renewing the European Parking Card.
  • 15 days: period for digital version of the European Parking Card if requested.
  • 6 months after the date of transposition: deadline for Commission to establish a European web portal.
  • 12 months after entry into force: deadline for Member States to adopt and publish transposition laws.
  • 24 months from entry into force: date from which Member States shall apply the provisions.
  • Two years after the date of application, and every five years thereafter: Commission report on application of the directive.