Lithuania

The law of the Republic of Lithuania on product and service accessibility requirements, Lithuania’s digital accessibility regulation is governed by multiple regulating bodies, as listed below.

What it includes

• General-purpose computer hardware
• Operating systems
• Self-service terminals, including:

• ATMs
• Ticket and registration machines

• Interactive devices for electronic communications and audiovisual media services
• E-readers
• Electronic communication services (excluding inter-device transmission)
• Audiovisual access services
• Passenger transport services, including:

• Air
• Bus
• Rail
• Water (excluding urban and suburban transport)

• Consumer banking services
• E-books and software
• E-commerce
• Emergency number 112 response services
• Railway system products must adhere to additional technical interoperability standards.

Exceptions

• Pre-recorded media content released before the enactment of the law
• Legacy office software file formats
• Online maps providing essential navigational information (only required to be accessible in that context)
• Third-party content not influenced by the economic operator
• Archival websites and mobile apps that remain unedited after the law’s implementation

Fines and penalties

Economic operators face fines if their products or services fail to comply with accessibility requirements. Initially, non-compliance incurs fines ranging from 500 to 2,500 euros. If an operator continues to provide non-compliant services after the market surveillance authority has instructed them to cease, the fine increases to between 1,000 and 6,500 euros. In cases where non-compliance results in harm to the health of a consumer or end user, fines escalate further, ranging from 2,500 to 15,000 euros.

When a product is identified as non-compliant, the market surveillance authority requires the operator to take corrective actions within a reasonable timeframe, which cannot be shorter than three working days. If the operator fails to meet this deadline, the authority demands the product’s removal from the market within an additional reasonable period. These measures are designed to enforce compliance effectively while addressing instances of harm caused by accessibility failures.

Reporting

Lithuania 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

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania has approved national programs to improve the availability of products and services. The Ministry of Social Security and Labor develops and coordinates the state policy on accessibility, while the Ministry of Economy and Innovation focuses on policies related to competition, market supervision, and procurement. The Ministry of the Environment works on improving the accessibility of the physical environment.

The Ministry of Justice handles policies related to consumer rights, and the Ministry of Finance ensures access to financial markets and services. The Ministry of Culture addresses public information and publishing access, while the Ministry of Communications focuses on transport and electronic communications accessibility. The Ministry of Internal Affairs oversees emergency services communication, particularly for the 112 number.

An authorized institution under the Ministry of Social Security and Labor coordinates methodological assistance across ministries and market surveillance bodies, ensuring a unified approach to accessibility.

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