In June, the provisions of the Polish Accessibility Act come into force. They will include companies offering banking services, manufacturers of computer equipment and telephones. The changes will also apply to the e-commerce industry, information in passenger transport and audiovisual services. Entrepreneurs can count on help. First of all, they should take advantage of the experience of companies and institutions associated with the Accessibility Partnership. This is an initiative that brings together entities actively working to eliminate barriers and create universal solutions. Read the article to find out what exactly this partnership is and what benefits can be derived from it.
The Polish Accessibility Act is an act that imposes on companies (excluding microenterprises that provide services) obligations related to ensuring the accessibility of certain products and services, so that they are legible, understandable and possible for independent use by all recipients. This applies to websites, applications, self-service devices (e.g. ATMs and kiosks), customer service and purchasing processes. However, it is worth looking at this legal requirement from a different perspective – as an opportunity for development, acquiring new customers and building the image of a socially responsible brand.
What is accessibility in practice and why does it matter?
Accessibility is not just a ramp at the entrance to a building. It is an approach that assumes that spaces, but also products and services, are designed so that everyone – regardless of their individual functional limitations – can use them. In practice, it is, for example, the ability to operate a website only using a keyboard or assistive technology, providing subtitles for people with hearing disabilities/hard of hearing, contrasting labels and easy access to physical spaces. Universal design plays a key role here, i.e. creating solutions that are accessible to the widest possible group of users from the start.
Although accessibility has so far been associated mainly with the public sector, its importance is also growing in business. For many entrepreneurs, this may mean the need to adapt to new standards. However, it is worth looking at it from a different perspective. Companies that eliminate barriers gain new customers – the elderly, people with disabilities, people with limited mobility, but also parents with children or people who do not speak the local language. Actions for accessibility also mean specific business benefits and a chance to improve the company's image, increase social trust and expand the markets for operations.
Polish Accessibility Act – what will it change?
The Polish Accessibility Act is a response to changing social and technological needs. The new regulations implement the provisions of the EU directive (the so-called European Accessibility Act) and have one goal: to ensure equal opportunities in access to products and services. The new obligations for companies covered by the act enter into force on 28 June 2025 and will cover companies operating in 6 main sectors:
• access to audiovisual media services (streaming platforms and hybrid television),
• electronic communications (telephone, internet, including emergency communications),
• digital information in passenger transport (air, bus, rail and water),
• retail banking, including helpdesks
• e-book distribution and creation services,
• online stores
In addition to the services listed, the Act also covers products such as routers, modems, multimedia players, e-book readers, payment terminals, ticket machines, ATMs, as well as computer equipment, smartphones and tablets.
Do the regulations apply to your business?
The Polish Accessibility Act will not cover all entrepreneurs. It only applies to those whose activities are included in the catalogue of products and services included in the act. These include not only manufacturers or service providers, but also authorised representatives1, distributors and importers of products to the EU. In the case of service providers, we have an important exception – the act does not cover micro-entrepreneurs. It also contains provisions that may make it easier for other companies to implement new obligations. The act refers to specific categories of products and services listed above. It is also worth noting that the act does not impose an obligation to immediately replace the entire infrastructure. For example, ATMs or payment terminals must meet the new accessibility requirements only if they are replaced or rebuilt after 28 June this year. This means that entrepreneurs have time to prepare for the changes and can plan their activities in a rational and phased manner.
Reliable and up-to-date information on the provisions of the Polish Accessibility Act can be found on the website dostepnosc.gov.pl. You can also contact the State Fund for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons directly and write an email to [email protected].
Accessibility Partnership – Together We Can Do More
Although statutory obligations regarding accessibility are new to the private sector, many companies are already actively working to eliminate barriers and create universal solutions. This is confirmed by the activities of the Partnership for Accessibility – an initiative of the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, which brings together hundreds of entities from all over Poland. The signatories include not only public institutions, but also business representatives who develop accessible products and services in various industries – from technology, through transport, to the private sector.
The aim of the Partnership is to work together, exchange knowledge and experience, and promote universal design as a standard. The members of the Partnership benefit from the support of experts, exchange experiences, and above all, jointly create better conditions for all users, regardless of their needs and limitations. It is a practical platform for cooperation that allows learning from those who already have effective and proven solutions.
Organizations that have already joined the Partnership are aware that implementing accessibility principles brings many tangible benefits. Socially, they improve the quality of life, support social integration and build trust in their own brand. People who feel noticed and understood are more likely to return and recommend the company to others. From a business perspective, ensuring accessibility means a larger group of customers, higher quality of service and greater chances of participating in public procurement or projects financed from European Funds. For many companies, it can also be an element of a broader ESG and social responsibility strategy, which is becoming increasingly important on the market.
Where to start?
The first step will be to conduct an accessibility audit – to check how our products, services, buildings or communication channels work in practice. Sometimes small changes are enough to significantly improve user comfort. Then, it is worth considering joining the Partnership for Accessibility. This is a chance for development, inspiration and joint creation of solutions. To join the Partnership, simply go to the website of the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, select the section “Become an Accessibility Partner”, fill out the form and indicate what activities for accessibility are already being carried out and what are planned to be implemented, and then send it to the institution. After positive verification, your company will become an official signatory of the Partnership.
Remember that accessibility is not a fad or a passing impulse – it is the direction in which the entire market is heading. The June legal changes may be a turning point, after which things will start to work faster and more effectively. It is worth treating them not as an obligation, but as an opportunity to develop the company, strengthen the brand and have a real impact on improving the quality of life of many people.
[1] Entities that have been authorised by the manufacturer to act on his behalf within the EU.
