ENGAGEMENT on Standards for equality bodies Equinet has for some years advanced the need for up-to-date European standards specifically on the establishment and operation of equality bodies. The absence of such standards leaves equality bodies in various instances vulnerable to having their potential inappropriately limited or restricts the ambition of equality bodies in realising their full potential. As pointed out in recent documents and reports from the European Commission, this potential also includes contributing to the better implementation of EU legislation and equality bodies acting as watchdogs for equal treatment. Equinet has developed a body of published work that could assist the development of such standards, including the Working Paper that resulted from Equinet Cluster on Standards for Equality Bodies that convened twice in 2015 to discuss the issue with heads and senior level representatives of equality bodies. In 2016, the Working Paper on Developing Standards for Equality Bodies was released, as a result of the discussions of the Cluster as well as contributions and comments provided by Equinet members. This Working Paper seeks to establish positions that equality bodies could promote, negotiate and advance vis-à-vis European and national administrations in the establishment of standards for equality bodies at European level and their implementation at national level. Equinet will continue discussions with equality bodies on this issue as well as engaging with key external stakeholders supporting the development of standards for equality bodies, making use of all existing resources produced by Equinet and other stakeholders. Expected outputs: Wide dissemination of the Working Paper on Developing Standards for Equality Bodies and the issues that such standards need to address. Produce a policy brief on relationship between the European Commission’s Better Regulation Agenda and standards for Equality Bodies. Bringing up the issue of standards as part of meetings and dialogues with relevant stakeholders, encouraging further action in the field. An evolving consensus among equality bodies on the need for standards and on the nature of the standards required. Further objectives met: .B3.
ENGAGEMENT on Standards for equality bodies Equinet has for some years advanced the need for up-to-date European standards specifically on the establishment and operation of equality bodies. The absence of such standards leaves equality bodies in various instances vulnerable to having their potential inappropriately limited or restricts the ambition of equality bodies in realising their full potential. As pointed out in recent documents and reports from the European Commission, this potential also includes contributing to the better implementation of EU legislation and equality bodies acting as watchdogs for equal treatment. Equinet has developed a body of published work that could assist the development of such standards, including the Working Paper that resulted from Equinet Cluster on Standards for Equality Bodies that convened twice in 2015 to discuss the issue with heads and senior level representatives of equality bodies. In 2016, the Working Paper on Developing Standards for Equality Bodies was released, as a result of the discussions of the Cluster as well as contributions and comments provided by Equinet members. This Working Paper seeks to establish positions that equality bodies could promote, negotiate and advance vis-à-vis European and national administrations in the establishment of standards for equality bodies at European level and their implementation at national level. Equinet will continue discussions with equality bodies on this issue as well as engaging with key external stakeholders supporting the development of standards for equality bodies, making use of all existing resources produced by Equinet and other stakeholders. Expected outputs: Wide dissemination of the Working Paper on Developing Standards for Equality Bodies and the issues that such standards need to address. Produce a policy brief on relationship between the European Commission’s Better Regulation Agenda and standards for Equality Bodies. Bringing up the issue of standards as part of meetings and dialogues with relevant stakeholders, encouraging further action in the field. An evolving consensus among equality bodies on the need for standards and on the nature of the standards required. Further objectives met: .B3.
external_work_plan_2017.docx