Understanding Italy’s Digital Accessibility Laws

If your organization operates in, or sells into, the Italian market, you’ll most likely need to meet specific digital accessibility requirements. As an early enforcer of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), Italy has enacted laws holding private businesses accountable for the accessibility of many consumer products and services—and non-compliance can have steep financial consequences.

Digital accessibility is also mandatory in Italy’s public sector under the country’s transposition of the EU Web Accessibility Directive (WAD). (A transposition refers to the incorporation of an EU directive into a Member State’s national laws.)

Understanding Italy’s regulatory landscape is the first step toward mitigating risk for your organization. In this blog, we’ll summarize the key laws governing digital accessibility in Italy, and what they require. For deeper insight on Italy’s legal framework, explore our executive fact sheet.

Legge Stanca: An accessibility mandate that spans sectors

Both public-sector organizations, and certain private businesses, must comply with Italy’s Legge 9 Gennaio 2004, n. 4—commonly known as “Legge Stanca,” “Law 4/2004,” or the “Stanca Act.” This law mandates the accessibility of various digital products and services provided in Italy.

Legge Stanca was originally published in 2004. In 2019, the law was amended to include Italy’s transposition of the EU WAD, which outlined strict web and mobile accessibility requirements.

While these requirements initially applied only to the public sector, a 2020 amendment, Decreto Semplificazioni, expanded the law’s scope to include private companies with an annual turnover exceeding €500,000,000 (averaged over the past three years of operation). Certain smaller companies must also comply, such as companies that are part of a group or holding that meets this turnover threshold, transportation companies, and information technology (IT) companies that receive public funding.

If private businesses under the law violate Legge Stanca, they risk hefty administrative sanctions—up to 5% of their annual turnover—and may have their operations suspended. Public organizations may also face regulatory action if individuals file complaints with authorities. To mitigate risk, organizations covered by Legge Stanca should meet the general requirements of the EU WAD. These include:

• Ensuring websites, mobile apps, and other digital experiences are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (POUR) for all users. This can be demonstrated through conformance with EN 301 549, the harmonized EU accessibility standard.
• Publishing an accessibility statement.
• Establishing a mechanism for users to provide feedback about the accessibility of digital experiences.
• Verifying that contracts for the construction and modification of websites and mobile applications comply with accessibility requirements.

DecretoLegislativo n.82/2022: Italy’s transposition of the EAA

Like other EU Member States, Italy has transposed the EAA into its national legal framework. This transposition law, Decreto Legislativo n.82/2022 (“Legislative Decree no. 82/2022”), establishes accessibility requirements for many common consumer products and services circulating within Italy—such as websites and apps related to e-commerce, banking, and transportation. It extends to any business that provides covered products or services to consumers in Italy, no matter where that business is located.

Importantly, any private business that was previously covered by Legge Stanca is now covered by Decreto Legislativo n.82/2022, and accountable for compliance. Businesses that are newly bound by Decreto Legislativo n.82/2022 must comply by June 2025, the EU deadline for EAA enforcement.

As is the case with Legge Stanca, non-compliance with Italy’s EAA transposition law can have financial consequences: Companies found in violation of Decreto Legislativo n.82/2022 may face penalties ranging between €5,000 and €40,000. The government may also limit the sale of a product in Italy or remove it from the market.

To comply, organizations covered by the law should meet the general requirements of the EAA, including ensuring their information and communication technology (ICT)—like websites, mobile apps, software, and hardware—is accessible to people with disabilities and publishing an accessibility statement. The presumptive compliance standard for the EAA is EN 301 549.

Your partner for compliance with Italian accessibility laws

Italy has made it clear that digital accessibility is a requirement for operating within the country. And compliance with Italian accessibility laws is about more than mitigating risk—it’s a strategic business opportunity. By being proactive with digital accessibility, your organization can enhance overall user experience, tap into new markets, and promote inclusion.

To maximize the success of your digital accessibility efforts, consider partnering with a reputable accessibility provider. Level Access has more than 25 years of experience supporting organizations across Europe, North America, and other global markets to achieve lasting compliance. Our comprehensive solution is designed around the three pillars of effective accessibility programs—Audit & Test, Build & Fix, and Governance & Reporting—ensuring swift and sustainable progress.

Whether you’re initiating an accessibility program or seeking to further strengthen your current strategy, our team of experts is more than happy to help. Schedule a call with Level Access today to learn more about our best-in-class solutions.

Frequently asked questions

1. What are the key digital accessibility laws in Italy?

Organizations in Italy must comply with several laws governing digital accessibility, including Legge 9 Gennaio 2004, n. 4 (Legge Stanca), Decreto Semplificazioni (an amendment to Legge Stanca, extending its accessibility requirements to private businesses), and Decreto Legislativo n.82/2022 (Italy’s transposition of the EAA).

2. Should private and public organizations follow the same standards?

Even though different digital accessibility laws apply to private companies and public entities in Italy, all organizations should follow the same standard for compliance: EN 301 549, the harmonized European standard for information and communication technology (ICT) accessibility.

3. What should we do to comply with Italy’s accessibility laws?

Start by assessing your current digital assets for conformance with EN 301 549, the harmonized European accessibility standard, and address any violations. Many Italian accessibility laws also require that organizations take additional steps, such as publishing an accessibility statement and providing a mechanism for users to report accessibility issues. Partnering with an experienced accessibility provider can help you audit, remediate, and manage compliance effectively through a comprehensive accessibility program.