13/12/2021 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 10 December, the European Commission opened the final stage of consultation on its draft Directive on strengthening the role and independence of Equality Bodies (see EUROPE 12769/19) - bodies established in each Member State under the Racial Equality Directive (2000/43). This new phase of consultation, which will end on 18 March, is intended for citizens, social partners, civil society organisations, national authorities, and the equality bodies themselves. The Commission, which is currently “further developing and fine-tuning” its legislative proposal, hopes to gather new advice on the state of the bodies and on the improvements that could be made. It is expected to adopt and publish its proposal in the third quarter of 2022. To access the public consultation: https://bit.ly/3oOdiSO (AC)