EP adopted Directive on Gender Neutrality

30 March 2004

The European Parliament adopted the report on equal treatment between women and men in the access to and supply of goods and services. The rapporteur Ms Christa Prets said that abandoning sex as a factor in calculating premiums was 'political choice' which Parliament should support.

The proposed directive led to a controversial debate about the insurance and financial services sector. The use of sex in the calculation of premiums and benefits for the purpose of insurance and related financial services will henceforth be prohibited.

Member States have two years time to transpose the directive into national law, except for the insurance and financial services sector, where Parliament proposes a period of six years. Member States should report to the Council, Commission and Parliament about possible difficulties for this sector.

Adopted text provisional version

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