Web and Mobile Application Accessibility Requirements and the Procedure for Publishing Accessibility Information - Estonia
Overview
This Estonian law ensures that websites and mobile apps used by public sector organizations are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. The goal is to make digital services easy to use for all citizens, regardless of their abilities.
Key Requirements in Simple Terms
1. Accessible Design – Websites and mobile apps must follow international accessibility standards (like WCAG 2.1) so that people with disabilities (e.g., visual, hearing, or motor impairments) can use them without barriers.
2. Accessibility Statement – Organizations must publish an online statement explaining how accessible their website or app is. If there are limitations, they must provide contact details for reporting issues.
3. Regular Checks – Public sector bodies must monitor and test their digital services to ensure they remain accessible over time.
4. User Feedback – People should be able to report accessibility problems, and organizations must respond in a reasonable time.
Important Dates
- The law was enacted in 2019 and is based on the EU Web Accessibility Directive (2016/2102).
- Public sector websites published after September 23, 2018, had to comply by September 23, 2019.
- Older websites (published before September 23, 2018) had until September 23, 2020, to meet the requirements.
- Mobile apps had to be accessible by June 23, 2021.
This explanation is based on the official document. For the full legal text, visit:
https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/512042019003/consolide