European Union: EU Refuses Postponement of Pay Transparency Directive Implementation

Over the past months, there were several lobbying attempts from employer organisations like BusinessEurope, but also pressure from certain member states, to request an easement of the Pay Transparency obligations of the EU Directive, or at least a possible postponement of the implementation deadline of 7 June 2026.

After the first Omnibus packages for the CSRD and CS3D in the beginning of 2025 and a new omnibus package for the AI Act, GDPR, and other digital rules in the second half of 2025. Certain stakeholders hope that the Commission would do another intervention to give companies more time to adapt and decrease the red tape.

However, it seems that the Commission has no interest in revisiting the set deadlines and obligations for the Pay Transparency Directive. In an answer to a question in the European Parliament of 18 December 2025, Commissioner Lahbib stated:

“The Commission reaffirms that the Pay Transparency Directive is instrumental for the full realisation of the right to equal pay for the same work or work of equal value between women and men and remains fully committed to its effective and timely implementation. It expects all Member States to implement the directive by the deadline of June 2026.”

She emphasised that the Commission has organised workshops to prepare the Member States and employers for the implementation of the Directive in previous years. And so there would be no reason to postpone.

She further added: “In addition, the European Institute for Gender Equality is preparing a step-by-step toolkit on gender-neutral job evaluation and classification for use by employers and social partners.

It is intended that the toolkit will contain various methodologies specifically tailored to the size of employers. Furthermore, dedicated funding is made available to Member States and social partners to support the implementation of the directive, training and capacity building.”

In the meantime, there are still plenty of member states that still have to start their legislative process. The Netherlands has not deviated from its announcement that it will not implement before 2027. Nevertheless, we expect that most countries will take important implementation steps in the coming months.

 

Source: European Parliament – Commission answer (18 December 2025) to written question E-004018/2025 (ASW)