Accessibility of Products and Services: A New Obligation That E-Shops, Applications and Digital Service Providers Should Not Overlook

23. 06. 2026

As of 28 June 2025, Act No. 424/2023 Coll., on Accessibility Requirements for Certain Products and Services, has been effective. According to information from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, from 29 June 2025 selected products may be placed on the market and selected services may be provided only if they meet the statutory accessibility requirements to the extent laid down by the legal regulation. However, the Act does not apply to all products and services, but only to those falling within its material scope.

At first glance, accessibility may appear to be a technical or design-related issue. In reality, however, it is a legal compliance obligation that may have a significant impact on entrepreneurs providing digital services, operating e-shops, mobile applications, online platforms, e-books, payment terminals, or self-service devices. The purpose of the regulation is to ensure that selected products and services are usable also by persons with disabilities or other specific needs.

For entrepreneurs, it is first necessary to determine whether the Act applies to their product or service. It is not possible to rely merely on the general assumption that “accessibility concerns only the public sector” or only large technology companies. The legal regulation also applies to private entities if they provide services or place products on the market that fall within the categories defined by law. In the case of services, it is also necessary to take account of exemptions, including the specific status of micro-enterprises.

In practice, this may involve, for example, the accessibility of websites and mobile applications, the comprehensibility of information, the ability of persons with visual or other disabilities to operate the service, the usability of forms, ordering processes, or customer support. The Ministry of Industry and Trade expressly also draws attention to the obligation to make websites and mobile applications accessible in relation to services provided from 29 June 2025, although statutory exemptions and transitional rules also exist in this area.

Entrepreneurs should not rely on accessibility being resolved solely by the website or application supplier. Responsibility for the compliance of the service with the legal regulation generally lies with the service provider, not merely with the technical supplier. For this reason, it is also advisable to adjust contracts with developers, website administrators, UX specialists, and software solution providers so that it is clear who is responsible for meeting the requirements, which standards must be observed, and how any defects will be addressed.

Special attention should also be paid to the information obligation. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has published a model accessibility statement and has pointed out that service providers are required under the Act to fulfil an information obligation regarding the accessibility of the services they provide. For entrepreneurs, this therefore concerns not only the technical configuration of the service itself, but also the manner in which they inform users about accessibility and how they handle suggestions, complaints, or requests for remedy.

In conclusion, the accessibility of products and services is another example of regulation that connects law, technology, customer experience, and entrepreneurial responsibility. Companies should first carry out a basic legal assessment of whether the Act applies to them and then review their websites, applications, business processes, and contracts with suppliers. Those who underestimate accessibility may find themselves not only in conflict with supervisory authorities, but also in a situation where some customers will not be able to use their service properly.

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