Press Release: Commission closes legal cases after Italy and Austria adopt new race equality laws

On 8 October 2009 the European Commission decided to close infringement proceedings against Italy and Austria following their successful implementation of EU rules to tackle racial discrimination. The cases had been opened because national legislation in both countries was incompatible with the EU's Race Equality Directive (2000/43/EC), adopted in November 2000 (see also MEMO/07/257 ). The Directive prohibits direct and indirect discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin both in and outside employment.