Latvia

Law on accessibility of goods and services (Preču un pakalpojumu piekļūstamības likums), Latvia’s digital accessibility regulation is governed by multiple regulating bodies as listed below.

What it includes

• Consumer general purpose computer hardware systems and their operating systems, excluding operating system loaders, basic input/output systems, or other firmware required for startup during or when the operating system is installed
• Self-service terminals:

• Payment terminals
• The following self-service terminals intended for the provision of services falling within the scope of this law: ATMs, ticket machines, registration machines and interactive self-service terminals for providing information, excluding terminals installed as integrated parts of vehicles, aircraft, ships or rolling stock

• Consumer terminals with interactive computing capability used for electronic communication services
• Consumer terminals with interactive computing capability used to access audiovisual electronic media services. A consumer terminal with interactive computing capability used to access audiovisual electronic media services, within the meaning of this law, is any device whose primary purpose is to provide access to audiovisual electronic media services
• E-readers
• Electronic communication services, excluding inter-device communication services
• Services that provide access to audiovisual electronic media services
• The elements of air, bus, rail and water transport passenger transport services mentioned below, with the exception of city and regional transport services, which are covered only by subparagraph “e” of this point:

• Websites
• Services for use on mobile devices, including mobile apps
• Electronic tickets and electronic ticket sales services
• For providing transportation service information (including real-time travel information)
• Interactive self-service terminals, except for those installed as integral parts of vehicles, aircraft, ships and rolling stock to provide part of the passenger transport service

• Financial services intended for the following consumers:

• For consumer lending referred to in the Law on the Protection of Consumer Rights
• Investment services and ancillary services referred to in the Financial Instruments Market Law
• Payment services, payment account-related services and electronic money mentioned in the Law on Payment Services and Electronic Money

• E-books and their software
• E-commerce

The law also applies to responding to the unified emergency call number “112”.

Exceptions

While the regulation sets rigorous requirements, the law does not apply to the content of the following websites and mobile apps:

• Goods placed on the market until June 27, 2025
• Audio recordings and video recordings published until June 27, 2025
• Office file formats published until June 27, 2025
• Content of websites and mobile apps that have not been updated or edited until June 27, 2025
• Online map and cartography services, if essential information about maps intended for use in navigation is provided in an accessible digital format
• Content of third parties, except for the case when the relevant economic operator has financed or developed it or controls it
• The law does not affect legal relations arising from the Copyright Law and Regulation (EU) 2017/1563 of 13 September 2017 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the interests of persons who are blind, visually impaired or print-disabled for other reasons, there is a cross-border exchange between the Union and third countries of specific copyrighted works and objects of related rights in an accessible format
• An economic operator who employs less than 10 people and whose annual turnover does not exceed 2,000,000 euros or whose annual balance sheet total does not exceed 2,000,000 euros, and who provides services within the scope of this law, is exempted from the obligation to comply with the requirements of service accessibility

Fines and penalties

If the non-conformity referred to in the first part of this section has not been eliminated, the market supervisory authority shall set restrictions on the offering of the product on the market or prohibit the product from being offered on the market or demand its removal from the market.

Reporting

Latvia 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.

Regulating bodies

In Latvia, the responsibility for overseeing accessibility is divided among various regulatory bodies. The Regulatory Commission supervises electronic communications, while the National Council manages access to media services. The Civil Aviation Agency handles aspects of air transport services, and the Autotransport Direcja oversees domestic bus and rail transportation.

The Railway Administration regulates international rail travel, and the Consumer Rights Center ensures accessibility in financial services, e-books, e-commerce, water transport, and certain air transport services. Additionally, municipalities govern city transport terminals, ensuring their accessibility for local communities.

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