Digital Republic Act in France: A Simple Guide to Web Accessibility
What Is the Digital Republic Act?
The Digital Republic Act (officially Loi pour une République numérique) is a French law enacted on October 7, 2016, to promote digital inclusion, protect user rights, and ensure fair access to online services for everyone, including people with disabilities.
The law strengthens web accessibility rules, requiring websites and digital services to be usable by individuals with disabilities, such as those who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, or other assistive technologies.
Key Accessibility Requirements
Here’s what the law means for websites and digital services in France:
1. Accessibility for All
- Public sector websites (government, schools, etc.) and large private companies (with over €250 million annual revenue) must follow accessibility standards, primarily the RGAA (General Accessibility Reference Framework for Administrations), which aligns with WCAG 2.0 guidelines.
- Websites must provide features like text alternatives for images, keyboard-friendly navigation, and readable contrast ratios.
2. Accessible PDFs & Documents
- Digital documents (e.g., PDFs) must be structured for screen readers, with proper headings, labels, and descriptions.
- New regulations since 2023 extend these rules to private-sector companies under the European Accessibility Act (EAA), with full compliance required by 2025.
3. Transparency & Compliance Deadlines
- Organisations must publish an accessibility statement explaining their compliance status and any limitations.
- Non-compliance can result in fines up to €50,000 per website.
4. User Rights & Feedback
- Users can report accessibility barriers to authorities like ARCOM (France’s audiovisual and digital regulator).
- Public services must continuously improve accessibility based on user feedback.
Why Does This Matter?
The law ensures that people with disabilities—visual, hearing, or motor impairments—can access essential services online, from government forms to e-commerce sites.
Important Dates
- 2016: Law enacted.
- 2019: Decree expanded rules to private companies (€ 250 M+ revenue).
- 2025: Full compliance required under the European Accessibility Act.
This explanation is based on the official French government resources. For more details, visit:
Digital Republic Act - Official Accessibility Page