Estonian digital accessibility legislation

 

In Estonia, there are several legal documents that regulate the accessibility of digital services. Estonian Public Information Act, along with Regulation EE 2019/20 refers to the public sector bodies, while the Products and Services Accessibility Act, along with Regulation EE 2022/45 refers to both public and private sector bodies.

Public Information Act

The Estonian Public Information Act (EE – Avaliku teabe seadus) was enacted in January 2001, and even though the document was issued way before the Directive EU 2016/2102 came into force, it has been updated to meet the requirements set by the European Union.

This Act aims to ensure that every person can access information intended for public use based on the principles of a democratic and social rule of law and an open society and to create opportunities for the public to monitor the performance of public duties.

Regulation EE 2019/20

The law “Website and mobile app accessibility requirements and procedures for the publication of accessibility information” (In Estonian “Veebilehe ja mobiilirakenduse ligipääsetavuse nõuded ning ligipääsetavust kirjeldava teabe avaldamise kord”) – Regulation EE 2019/20 has been enforced since March 2019 and is based on the European Commission’s Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1523, which establishes a sample accessibility statement in accordance with Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of the European Parliament and of the Council and deals with the accessibility of websites and mobile applications of public sector institutions (OJ L 256/ 103, 12.10.2018).

The document defines key terms, principles, and technical specifications for designing, developing, managing, and updating websites and mobile applications in order to ensure they are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for users. It mandates that websites and mobile applications must ensure accessibility, irrespective of the user’s sensory capabilities.

Products and Services Accessibility Act

Products and Services Accessibility Act (in Estonian “Toodete ja teenuste ligipääsetavuse seadus”) is the Estonian implementation of the European Accessibility Act (EU Directive 2019/882). The Act was enacted in May 2022 and applies as of 28 June 2025 to products on the market and services provided.

This legal document governs accessibility requirements for a diverse range of products and services. To ensure conformity with the accessibility requirements while also specifying assessment procedures and penalties for non-compliance, the legal document defines the responsibilities of:

  • Manufacturers
  • Authorized representatives
  • Importers
  • Distributors
  • Service providers

The act establishes a presumption of conformity for products and services meeting relevant standards and designates the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority as the supervisory body.

Regulation EE 2022/45

The law “Functional accessibility requirements for products and services and requirements for information about them” (in Estonian: “Toote ja teenuse funktsionaalsed ligipääsetavusnõuded ja nõuded nende kohta antavale teabele”) – Regulation EE 2022/45 – is a legal document which applies to public procurement, the object of which falls within the scope of the Act on Accessibility of Products and Services, and the intended user of which is a private person (not an enterprise).

This legislation focuses on ensuring accessibility of various products and services for individuals with disabilities, emphasizing clear information, usability, and adaptability for different needs and preferences. It aims to provide equal access to information and services for everyone, regardless of their abilities.

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