Brussels, 28/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament's internal market committee (IMCO) has said that the digitalisation of the public services is imperative. On Thursday 28 November, its members voted by 30 votes to 3 to adopt the draft report of Jorgo Chatzimarkakis (ALDE, Germany) on the proposal for a directive on accessibility to public sector web sides. There are around 761,000 websites of this kind that fulfil a number of tasks, including help with tax returns. However, they are not always easy to access for all users, such as senior citizens and the visually impaired. The rapporteur explained that, “although the majority of people take access for information and services for granted, it is important not to exclude any members of society”. He also called for e-services to be accessible on tablets and smart phones, going further than the Commission, which drew up common standards to rectify market fragmentation in just twelve internet site categories. Private companies that outsource public services, such as those responsible for water management or childcare, will be subject to the same rules. Any new content will have to meet these rules by 2015. IMCO has introduced a 2017 deadline for existing content. The European Parliament will now have to negotiate with the Council this dossier. (MD/transl.fl)