Law on Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Software Solutions for Public Sector Bodies – Croatia (Hrvatska)
Overview
This law ensures that websites and mobile apps used by public sector organizations in Croatia are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. The goal is to make digital services easier to use for all citizens by following international accessibility standards.
Key Requirements
1. Who Must Comply?
- All public sector bodies in Croatia, including government agencies, state institutions, and public services.
2. What Needs to Be Accessible?
- Official websites and mobile applications provided by public sector organizations.
3. Accessibility Standards
- Websites and apps must meet the EN 301 549 standard, which ensures features like:
- Text alternatives for images (for screen readers).
- Keyboard navigation (for those who can’t use a mouse).
- Clear and readable text with adjustable sizing.
- Captions and transcripts for videos.
4. Deadlines for Compliance
- New websites (published after September 23, 2019) must be accessible immediately.
- Existing websites had to comply by September 23, 2020.
- Mobile applications must be accessible by June 23, 2021.
5. Accessibility Statement
- Public sector bodies must publish an accessibility statement on their websites, explaining how well they meet the requirements and how users can report accessibility issues.
6. Enforcement & Monitoring
- The Central State Office for the Development of the Digital Society oversees compliance.
- Organizations that don’t follow the rules may face penalties.
Important Dates
- Enacted: February 17, 2019
- Deadline for Existing Websites: September 23, 2020
- Deadline for Mobile Apps: June 23, 2021
Based on Official Document
This explanation summarizes the Law on Accessibility of Websites and Software Solutions for Mobile Devices of Public Sector Bodies (Croatia). For full details, refer to the official text here:
https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2019_02_17_358.html