Equality and Anti-Discrimination Act in Norway – Explained in Simple Terms
Overview
The Equality and Anti-Discrimination Act is a Norwegian law passed in 2017 to promote equality and prevent discrimination. It ensures that everyone—regardless of disability, gender, ethnicity, religion, or other characteristics—has fair opportunities in work, education, and public services. A key part of this law focuses on web accessibility, making sure digital services are usable by people with disabilities.
Key Provisions in Simple Language
- No Discrimination – The law bans unfair treatment based on disability, requiring equal access to jobs, services, and digital platforms.
- Universal Design – Websites and digital tools must follow accessibility standards (like WCAG 2.0) so people with disabilities (e.g., visual or hearing impairments) can use them easily.
- Employer Responsibilities – Companies with 50+ employees must actively prevent discrimination and report on their efforts. Smaller businesses (20–50 employees) must comply if requested by employee representatives.
- Individual Accommodations – Employers and service providers must make reasonable adjustments (e.g., screen readers, flexible work setups) for people with disabilities.
- Enforcement & Penalties – Violations can be reported to the Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud, which investigates complaints. Serious cases may go to a tribunal with fines or compensation orders.
Important Dates
- Enacted: June 16, 2017.
- Reporting Deadlines: Larger employers must include anti-discrimination efforts in annual reports (first enforced in 2021).
Based on Official Documents
This explanation summarises Norway’s Equality and Anti-Discrimination Act. For full details, refer to the official law here:
https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/2017-06-16-51