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On June 28, 2025, Act No. 424/2023 on Accessibility Requirements for Certain Products and Services, will come into effect. This law, among other things, sets obligations concerning websites. It also provides for the possibility of imposing fairly high penalties for non-compliance. The law was adopted as a transposition of the EU directive EAA (2019/882). Its purpose is mainly to ensure better access to products and services for people with disabilities, enabling them to live more independently.
Who does the law apply to?
The law mainly applies to companies offering online services or products, such as travel agencies, tour operators, hotels offering accommodation online, e-shops, and banks. It also applies to companies providing electronic communications services.
It further applies to other entities offering specific products and services, such as personal computers, phones, tablets, self-service payment terminals, e-book readers, e-books, financial services, transport services, services providing access to audio-visual media services, etc.
These entities have a range of other obligations, but this article mainly focuses on website requirements for e-shops and businesses in the tourism sector.
When does the law not apply?
- Micro-enterprises (companies with fewer than 10 employees and a turnover of up to €2 million)
- Internal systems, typically networks accessible only to employees
- Purely private websites and blogs without commercial activity
- Websites used for machine-to-machine communication, online maps/navigation
- Website content not controlled by the provider
- Self-service terminals inside vehicles
Can companies avoid the obligations?
Yes, if fulfilling the obligations would mean:
- A fundamental change in the service or product, or
- An unreasonable burden according to the criteria listed in the annex to the law.
If a company decides to use one of these exemptions, it must prepare an assessment proving that the exemption truly applies. It must also inform the Czech Trade Inspection Authority (ČOI) about this fact.
What should an accessible website look like?
Websites should generally be understandable, perceivable, operable, and stable.
This also applies to payment, identification, security, etc. Given the abstract nature of these requirements, we recommend you to meet especially these requirements:
- Text should be readable (sufficient contrast, size, adjustable spacing) and easy to understand.
- Images should have "alt" text descriptions (text describing what is in the image).
- All videos and podcasts on the site should have subtitles.
- Websites should be controllable via keyboard (e.g., TAB, Enter, Space, Arrow keys).
- Websites should also be controllable via voice (e.g., by ensuring so-called ARIA attributes).
What steps must you take to ensure web accessibility?
- Adjust website content according to the requirements above.
- Update your terms and conditions:
- Describe how your site meets each of the required accessibility features.
- Clearly explain how your e-shop or online service functions, with a general description.
- Update product and service descriptions:
- Provide accessibility information from the responsible economic operator, e.g., manufacturer or service provider.
- If you provide transport services, include information about the accessibility of vehicles and infrastructure, assistance for disabled persons, real-time travel information, availability of staff, and the functionality of elevators or other services.
- If you offer transport as part of a package tour, provide the information required from carriers.
- If you have a support/help service on the website, ensure it can provide information about accessibility.
- Ensure that all the above information is accessible to people with disabilities.
What penalties apply for violations?
The Czech Trade Inspection Authority (COI) is responsible for monitoring compliance. Violations are considered administrative offenses and can result in fines of up to CZK 10 million. However, in practice, COI usually imposes fines in the tens of thousands of crowns for first offenses. In the past, COI has been relatively lenient within the first few months after new laws entered into force.
If you have any questions regarding this statute, or if you would like us to review the webpages you have prepared for accessibility, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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Jasper Brinkman
Jasper Brinkman
"Following a devastating hotel fire in Prague, the law firm Holubová advokáti, led by attorney Klara Dvorakova, successfully represented our extended family as a group of victims. The firm navigated complex international insurance and compensation laws to defend our rights.
I would like to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts the firm had to make to bring our case to a successful compensation under extremely difficult circumstances."
Stewarts
Stewarts
"A visit to her daughter in London turned Eva's life upside down when she says she stepped into a crossing on a green light but was hit by a car. Despite her remarkable bravery, she faced a long treatment due to fractures in her pelvis, and the associated limitations and pain are likely to persist for the rest of her life. Regular headaches and impaired concentration compound her challenges.
Eva contacted us through an organization temporarily helping her manage her difficult living situation. At that time, she was destitute, relying only on subsistence payments. We were able to assist her because we specialize in personal injury and have contacts with proven colleagues abroad.
We worked with Stewarts, a UK law firm, on this case. Attorneys Klára Dvořáková and Rebecca Huxford helped Eva with the documentation in her case, explaining her options and the differences between the Czech and British systems of healthcare and social benefits reimbursement. Within a few months, thanks to the professional cooperation between the two offices, an offer of compensation from the insurance company of approximately CZK seven million was achieved. The client accepted this settlement because she did not want to deal with courts in the United Kingdom.
Subsequently, we assisted the client with related tax issues and contacted Auditone, a tax consultancy firm, which arranged for the filing of a tax return. Compensation for lost income is taxable, unlike most personal injury compensation.
'No one has done as much for me as you,' Eva said.
The fact that we were able to help Eva gives our work meaning and brings us great joy. We are very happy that, thanks to our many years of active involvement in the international professional organization PEOPIL, we can cooperate on such cases."