Accessibility legislation: France
Ordinance No. 2022-1139 of 9 August 2022 and Decree No. 2023-931 of 31 October 2023 relating to accessibility for people with disabilities to products and services, has been enforced in June 2025. The General Directorate for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) is responsible for overseeing accessibility compliance, with the most recent amendment to this regulation was made on October 10, 2023.
Scope of application
The regulation mandates that a range of digital content and services must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Specifically, this includes:
- General-purpose computing hardware and operating systems
- Self-service terminals, including:
- Payment terminals
- Banking ATMs
- Automatic ticket dispensers
- Self-service check-in kiosks
- Interactive information terminals (excluding those integrated into vehicles or aircraft)
- Consumer terminal equipment with interactive computing capabilities for:
- Electronic communication services
- Accessing audiovisual media services
- Digital e-readers
Exceptions
Exemption from compliance with accessibility measures mentioned by the Royal Decree include:
- Certain conditions of disproportionate burden
- Pre-recorded media and office file formats before June 28, 2025
- Online maps (if key data are available in accessible form)
- 3rd-party content not funded/controlled by the operator
- Archived content not updated post-28 June 2025
Fines and penalties
Non-compliance with accessibility requirements can result in escalating penalties. However, this fine is not static:
- A first “class 5” offense, which typically refers to significant accessibility barriers on websites or digital services, incurs an initial fine of €1,500.
- If the violation remains unresolved after one year, the penalty increases to €3,000.
- Should the non-compliance persist for another year, the fine can escalate even further, potentially reaching up to ten times €3,000, resulting in a maximum penalty of €30,000.
This progressive penalty structure emphasizes the importance of timely compliance with digital accessibility standards and serves as a deterrent to businesses failing to address accessibility issues, ensuring that organizations take proactive steps toward creating accessible digital environments.
Reporting
France follows the EU-wide mandate for accessibility statements on public sector websites and digital services. These statements are essential for maintaining transparency and accountability.
This statement must be publicly available on their websites and provide clear information on the accessibility status of their digital services, such as whether they meet the required standards or outline existing accessibility issues. The statement should also detail the measures taken to improve accessibility, including any ongoing efforts or plans for remediation. Additionally, the accessibility statement must specify how users can report accessibility problems and request assistance, ensuring that organizations remain accountable and transparent in their commitment to accessible digital experiences.
If users encounter accessibility barriers or wish to submit a complaint regarding non-compliance, they may contact the competent authority, the General Directorate for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF). Complaints can be submitted via:
Phone number: +33 809 540 550
Official website: https://www.economie.gouv.fr/dgccrf
Address: 59 boulevard Vincent-Auriol, Télédoc 071, 75703 Paris Cedex 13
Compliance with the Ordinance No. 2022-1139 of 9 August 2022 and Decree No. 2023-931 of 31 October 2023 relating to accessibility for people with disabilities to products and services requires a clear Accessibility Statement. Not sure where to start? Use our Free Accessibility Statement Generator to create one in minutes.
For the latest and most accurate information on digital accessibility requirements, please refer to the official documentation provided by the French government.