Polish Accessibility Act 2025

Since June 28, 2025, the new Polish Accessibility Act has been in force. The regulation introduces accessibility requirements for selected products and services offered by private-sector companies. Until now, such obligations mainly covered public institutions.
The goal of the new law is to ensure that people with disabilities and those with special needs can access products and services on equal terms with all other users.

What “accessibility” means in the Act

According to the law, a product or service is considered accessible if it can be used by people with special needs under the same conditions as anyone else. Accessibility can be achieved through universal design or, when needed, through reasonable adjustments, provided they do not impose a disproportionate burden on the company.

The Act is based on four core principles:

Compatibility - products and services must work with assistive technologies such as screen readers.

Perceivability - content and interface elements must be presented in ways users can perceive, for example through alternative formats.

Operability - interactive features must function in an accessible way, such as allowing full keyboard navigation.

Understandability - information and messages should be clear and easy to interpret.

Who must comply?

The new rules apply to:

• manufacturers, importers, authorized representatives, and distributors in relation to products
• service providers offering services covered by the Act

Foreign companies operating in the Polish market are also included. Micro-enterprises with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover of under €2 million are exempt. Some products and services also have a transition period to make adaptation easier.

Products and services covered by the Act

The law applies to, among others:

• computer equipment and operating systems
• smartphones and digital content devices
• payment terminals and self-service machines
• telecommunication equipment
• decoders and media devices used for audiovisual services

The accessibility obligation also covers services such as:

• telecommunications and electronic communications
• audiovisual media services (e.g., VOD platforms)
• digital services in passenger transport
• retail banking and financial services
• e-commerce and online marketplaces
• digital publications and e-books

Key responsibilities for businesses

Accessible communication. Information must be understandable and accessible to users with sensory limitations.

Accessible digital interfaces. Websites, mobile apps and digital tools must meet WCAG standards and support assistive technologies.

Adaptation of physical devices. Adaptation of physical devices Bank machines, payment terminals and kiosks must meet accessibility requirements.

Monitoring and audits. Companies must assess whether their products and services meet the Act’s requirements and maintain documentation.

Complaint handling procedure. Users must have the ability to submit accessibility-related complaints, and companies must respond within a defined timeframe.

Cooperation with supervisory authorities. Businesses must provide documentation and information during inspections.

Penalties for non-compliance

Failure to meet the requirements may result in:

• financial penalties of up to 10% of annual turnover
• orders to make changes or withdraw a product from the market
• reputational damage and exclusion from public procurement

How to prepare your company?

Conduct an accessibility audit to identify products and services covered by the Act.

Create an adaptation plan with priorities and a realistic timeline.

Implement accessibility standards in design, development and communication.

Train your teams especially IT, marketing and customer service.

Set up a complaint-handling procedure for user feedback.

Monitor compliance through regular testing and updates.

The Polish Accessibility Act brings significant changes to how products and services are designed and delivered. While it introduces new responsibilities for businesses, it also creates opportunities: broader reach, better usability and a stronger socially responsible brand image.

Meeting accessibility standards should be seen not as an obligation but as an investment in user experience, inclusivity and long-term competitiveness.

At Hotchili, we have already completed several end-to-end accessibility projects for corporate websites and e-commerce platforms. Our work includes accessibility audits, UX improvements and adjusting front-ends and CMS systems to meet WCAG guidelines. This has helped our clients comply with the new law and deliver more user-friendly digital services.

Want to check whether your website meets the requirements of the Polish Accessibility Act?
Contact us, we’ll audit your platform, recommend solutions and help you achieve full digital accessibility.