Czech Republic

Act No. 99/2019, the Czech Republic’s digital accessibility regulation, is governed by the Ministry of the Interior and the Czech Trade Inspection.

What it includes

The Act promotes inclusivity across sectors and equal access for all users, regardless of the medium or platform and includes:

• Hardware computer systems for general purposes intended for consumers and their operating system
• Self-service payment terminals
• Self-service terminals intended for the provision of services, where accessibility is ensured according to this Act (ATMs; devices for issuing transport documents; check-in kiosks; terminals providing information)
• End devices with interactive computing potential intended for consumers to use for electronic communications services
• End devices with interactive computing potentially intended for consumers to ensure access to audiovisual media services
• E-book readers
• Electronic communications services
• Services providing access to audiovisual media services
• Financial services
• Electronic trading services
• Sale of e-books and software for e-books
• Services of commercial air transport, international and domestic scheduled transportrailway transport and water transport, with the exception of urban or regional transport, as regards:

• Websites
• Services provided on mobile devices including mobile applications
• Electronic transport documents and electronic system services for their issuance
• Provision of information on transport services, including travel information in real time
• Self-service terminals
• Urban and regional transport services, and self-service terminals if applicable

Exceptions

• Services provided by a micro-enterprise
• Electronic communications services, if they are transmission services used for the provision of communication services between machines
• Map and related online map service content on websites and mobile applications, if basic information enabling navigation is provided in a digital form that meets accessibility requirements
• Content of websites and mobile applications that does not belong to the service provider, unless the provider finances, creates or can influence it
• Self-service terminals installed as a built-in part of the means of transport

Fines and penalties

Based on the severity of the offense the fines go up to:

• CZK 1,000,000 for offenses related to not keeping assessment and documents
• CZK 2,000,000 for offenses related to not taking measures to introduce the service to the market without unnecessary delay, not repeatedly informing the supervisory authority, or not keeping assessment and documents
• CZK 5,000,000 for offenses related to failing to take measures within a reasonable period of time, postponement of measures to bring the product into compliance with accessibility requirements or not withdrawing the product for the entire period of service provision, or not making it accessible to persons with disabilities
• CZK 10,000,000 for offenses related to not identifying the manufacturer, authorized representative, importer, or distributor who delivered the product to him or to whom, as a manufacturer, authorized representative, importer
• Withdrawal of the product from the market, and the requirement to inform the supervisory authority about non-compliance and the measures taken to rectify

Reporting

The Czech Republic follows the EU-wide mandate for accessibility statements on public sector websites and digital services. These accessibility 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 Czech government.