I hope that the European Accessibility Act, followed by the Polish one, will not only guarantee that technologies will be accessible to all. It will also drive innovation. Accessibility is becoming a competitive advantage. Companies that invest in technological solutions and universal design for all users today are outperforming others or will soon surpass them. The EAA is not only a socially fundamental project, but also economically useful for the European economy, as well as the Polish economy,

Deputy Minister Jan Szyszko said.

During the event, the institutions designated to oversee the accessibility of products and services presented practical aspects of the application of the Act. Together with experts from different sectors – public, private, NGOs and academia – we talked about accessibility as part of a conscious business that responds to the diverse needs of its customers. Business representatives shared good practice in empathetic design that not only improves the user experience, but also translates into business benefits.

Conference entitled "Towards a more accessible Europe. Preparing for the European Accessibility Act" was one of the meetings we organise periodically as part of our activities to spread knowledge and awareness of both business. 

Roundtable

On the eve of the conference, a roundtable was held on the challenges of implementing the European Accessibility Act. Representatives from 10 EU/EEA member states came to Warsaw at the invitation of the MDFRP. Guests from Austria, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and Norway worked together with representatives of Polish institutions to develop business guidelines and consumer guidance.

Polish Accessibility Act

The adoption of the Polish Accessibility Act – the Act of 26 April 2024 on Ensuring that Business Entities Meet Accessibility Requirements for Certain Products and Services – transposes the EU EAA Directive into Polish law.
The Act sets out accessibility requirements that apply to selected products and services. It regulates the obligations of business operators regarding compliance with these requirements and the system, principles and procedure for market surveillance of the correct application of the Act.

The provisions of the Act will become effective on 28 June 2025 and, from that date, operators should market products that meet accessibility requirements as well as offer and provide accessible services in accordance with the provisions of the said Act.