The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) and the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure more accessibility to products and services for persons with disabilities.

This initiative will strengthen the Commission's role in market surveillance for people with disabilities, allowing for the CRPD to assist with the accessibility of products that are regulated by the European Accessibility Directive.

Among the products and services mentioned in the Directive are computers, e-books, banking services and others.

Minister for Inclusion, Social Wellbeing and Voluntary Organisations Julia Farrugia Portelli said that through the agreement, people with disabilities will not be hindered from living an independent life due to the lack of product accessibility.

She said that the agreement ensures that people with disabilities benefit from products and services at more competitive and affordable prices. Farrugia said that such agreements testify to the government's message for a more inclusive Malta.

Commissioner for the CRPD Samantha Pace Gasan said that while the directive will continue to improve the accessibility to products in the country, the CRPD will continue to strengthen its role in terms of surveillance and enforcing accessibility.

Pace Gasan said that the Commission will continue to play their role in monitoring, promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities as set out in the United Nations Convention.

Chairperson of the MCCAA Helga Pizzuto said that the authority has invested in improving the skills of people working in the Technical Regulations Division and strengthening the systems used by them.

Through this reinforcement, various practices have been developed and further improved, some of them to meet the new challenges of the global market and more complex supply chains, Pizzuto said.  

She said that through this agreement, the two authorities will work together to make better use of resources for the benefit of citizens.