From June 2025, Italy will enforce its version of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), known as the Stanca Act. This landmark regulation ensures that digital products and services are designed to be accessible for all individuals, including the millions of people living with disabilities across Europe.
The Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy will oversee compliance, with the most recent amendments to the law finalized in July 2022. For Italian businesses (from retailers and e-commerce platforms to transport operators and banks) this is a critical moment. Accessibility is no longer simply a best practice; it is a legal, ethical, and commercial necessity.
The Broader Context: The European Accessibility Act
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU-wide directive designed to harmonize accessibility requirements across Member States. By setting a common standard, the EAA reduces market fragmentation and ensures that businesses can operate across borders with consistent expectations.
For Italy, this directive has been translated into the Stanca Act, aligning national legislation with EU goals. The timing matters: by June 28, 2025, all covered digital services and products in Italy must meet accessibility standards, primarily based on the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines.
These guidelines define what makes digital content accessible—for example:
- Ensuring text is readable with proper contrast ratios
- Providing alternative text for images
- Structuring content logically for screen readers
- Making websites navigable with keyboards
The law builds on similar international standards, such as Germany’s BFSG and the US ADA, both of which already show how accessibility requirements can reshape industries.
Scope of the Stanca Act: Who Must Comply?
The Stanca Act casts a wide net, covering not just websites but also digital tools, services, and hardware. Key sectors affected include:
Consumer and E-commerce Services
- Online stores, digital marketplaces, and customer portals must be designed to accommodate users with disabilities.
- This includes ensuring product catalogs, checkout flows, and customer support chatbots are screen-reader compatible.
Banking and Financial Services
- Online banking platforms, mobile apps, and ATMs with interactive screens fall under the law.
- Accessibility ensures that visually impaired customers can independently manage financial tasks
Transport Services
- Passenger services by air, bus, rail, and waterway must make their websites, ticketing systems, and real-time travel information accessible.
- Interactive kiosks and terminals must provide equal usability.
Audiovisual and Media Services
- Streaming services, online television portals, and content delivery apps must follow accessibility principles.
- Subtitles, audio descriptions, and user-friendly navigation are essential.
Books and Educational Content
- E-books and dedicated software must be fully accessible, allowing equal access to cultural and educational resources.
Emergency Communication (112)
- Accessibility also extends to emergency communication with Europe’s “112” number, ensuring that no one is excluded from life-saving services.
This breadth makes it clear: any business offering digital services to consumers must prioritize accessibility as part of its digital strategy.
3. Exceptions: What the Law Does Not Cover
While comprehensive, the Stanca Act does have exceptions:
- Pre-recorded time-based media published before June 28, 2025
- Office file formats published before June 28, 2025
- Online maps, provided essential navigational information is available in accessible digital form
- Third-party content outside the control of the operator
- Archived websites or apps that are no longer updated
These carve-outs protect legacy content and external providers but should not be seen as loopholes. For modern customer-facing businesses, compliance will remain unavoidable.
Penalties and Enforcement
The Stanca Act carries significant enforcement mechanisms. Businesses that fail to comply face:
- Fines between €5,000 and €40,000 depending on the severity and number of non-compliant services
- Additional fines (€2,500 to €30,000) for failure to take corrective actions quickly
- Withdrawal of products from the market if corrective steps are ignored
The Italian government has made it clear: accessibility is a serious legal obligation, not optional guidance. Beyond fines, there is also the risk of reputational damage, lawsuits, and loss of consumer trust.
Why Accessibility Matters Beyond Compliance
Compliance is just one dimension of accessibility. The business case is equally powerful:
- 87 million Europeans live with a disability. That’s a vast customer segment with significant spending power.
- 83% of consumers with disabilities limit their spending to sites they find accessible.
- Accessible content improves SEO visibility since search engines prioritize structured, user-friendly sites.
- Inclusivity enhances brand reputation and customer loyalty, signaling that a company values all customers equally.
Accessibility, in short, is not a burden. It is an opportunity to expand reach, strengthen relationships, and future-proof digital assets.
Accessibility Statements: Transparency as a Requirement
One of the unique aspects of the Stanca Act is the requirement for businesses to publish accessibility statements. These must:
- Explain which parts of the site or app are not accessible
- Provide reasons and alternatives where possible
- Include a feedback mechanism for users
- Follow the EU’s standardized model accessibility statement
This transparency ensures accountability and gives users a way to voice concerns. For businesses, it offers a structured framework to demonstrate compliance efforts.
Best Practices for Accessible Content
Accessibility doesn’t happen by accident; it requires intentional design. Here are some best practices:
- Readable formats: use clear fonts, adequate text size, and sufficient spacing.
- Proper heading hierarchy: H1, H2, H3 for logical flow.
- Screen reader optimization: avoid embedding text only in images; ensure alt text for visuals.
- Keyboard-friendly design: users should navigate without a mouse.
- Contrast ratios: maintain at least 3:1 for text and background.
- Descriptive links: avoid vague “click here” terms; be specific.
- Accessible animations: ensure autoplay has pause/stop controls.
These measures are not just about compliance; they make digital experiences better for everyone.
How Publitas Supports Compliance
This is where Publitas becomes an essential partner. As highlighted in the Accessibility for Digital Content webinar, Publitas has built accessibility into its platform across all subscription levels:
Built-In Foundation (All Plans)
- Screen reader support with page transcription and link hover text
- Keyboard navigation for full accessibility
- Mobile- and zoom-friendly layout
- Logical reading flow
Silver+ Plans
- Alt text for media: images, videos, and slideshows
- Video and animation controls: pause, stop, or hide autoplay content
Gold+ Plans
- Automated product hotspot hover titles
Enterprise Plans
- AI-generated alt text
- AI page transcription
- Future automation for entire publications
By combining built-in compliance tools with AI-driven automation, Publitas helps businesses both meet the letter of the law and optimize user experience at scale.
Conclusion: Accessibility as an Opportunity
The Stanca Act and the broader EAA framework represent a shift towards inclusivity in Europe’s digital economy. While the legal deadlines are strict, businesses that embrace accessibility will unlock competitive advantages.
With Publitas, companies don’t have to choose between compliance and creativity. They can create beautiful, mobile-friendly, and fully accessible catalogs that not only satisfy regulations but also delight users and increase sales.
👉 Talk to our experts today to see how Publitas can help your business prepare for Italy’s new accessibility legislation and align your digital strategy with the future of European commerce.
About Giorgio
Giorgio is an accomplished IT Sales Manager with over 15 years of experience driving data-driven performance sales in international B2B markets. With a proven track record as both a Sales Manager and Account Executive, he combines strategic vision with hands-on execution to consistently deliver business growth.
