France

Decree No. 2023-931 of October 9, 2023, relating to accessibility for people with disabilities to products and services, is overseen by the French Ministry of the economy, finance and industrial and digital sovereignty.

What it includes

The regulation mandates that a range of digital content and services must be accessible to individuals with disabilities, including:

• General-purpose computing hardware and operating systems
• Self-service terminals, including:

• Payment terminals
• Banking ATMs
• Automatic ticket dispensers
• Self-service check-in kiosks
• Interactive information terminals (excluding those integrated into vehicles or aircraft)

• Consumer terminal equipment with interactive computing capabilities for:

• Electronic communication services
• Accessing audiovisual media services

• Digital e-readers
• E-commerce

Exceptions

The only exemption from compliance with accessibility measures mentioned by the Decree is under certain conditions of disproportionate burden.

Fines and penalties

Non-compliance with accessibility requirements can result in escalating penalties. However, this fine is not static:

• A first “class 5” offense, which typically refers to significant accessibility barriers on websites or digital services, incurs an initial fine of 1,500 euros.
• If the violation remains unresolved after one year, the penalty increases to 3,000 euros.
• Should the non-compliance persist for another year, the fine can escalate even further, potentially reaching up to ten times 3,000 euros, resulting in a maximum penalty of 30,000 euros.

This progressive penalty structure emphasizes the importance of timely compliance with digital accessibility standards and serves as a deterrent to businesses failing to address accessibility issues, ensuring that organizations take proactive steps toward creating accessible digital environments.

Reporting

France follows the EU-wide mandate for accessibility statements on public sector websites and digital services. These statements are essential for maintaining transparency and accountability.

This statement must be publicly available on their websites and provide clear information on the accessibility status of their digital services, such as whether they meet the required standards or outline existing accessibility issues. The statement should also detail the measures taken to improve accessibility, including any ongoing efforts or plans for remediation. Additionally, the accessibility statement must specify how users can report accessibility problems and request assistance, ensuring that organizations remain accountable and transparent in their commitment to accessible digital experiences.

For the latest and most accurate information on digital accessibility requirements, please refer to the official documentation provided by the French government.