Stanca Act (Italy)

Overview

Law No. 4, also known as the Stanca Act, establishes the foundational framework for digital accessibility in Italy. It aims to promote accessibility and eliminate digital barriers, particularly for people with disabilities. The law ensures that individuals, especially those with disabilities, have access to public administration services and public utility services provided through information and communication technologies (ICT). This is in line with the principle of equality outlined in the Italian Constitution, mandating that digital services be accessible and usable by all.

Legislative Decree No. 106 of 10 August 2018 provides updates and amendments to Law No. 4. It aligns the original law with evolving European accessibility standards and addresses new challenges in digital accessibility. This decree refines the requirements for compliance, ensuring that Italian regulations keep pace with European Union directives on digital accessibility.

Legislative Decree No. 106 builds upon the foundation laid by Law No. 4 by incorporating updates to reflect advancements in accessibility standards and technologies. It provides the necessary amendments to ensure that the Stanca Act remains consistent with European Union standards, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the law in promoting digital accessibility.

Regulation Summary

Timeline

January 9, 2004 – Stanca Act enacted.
August 10, 2018 – Legislative Decree No. 106 updated enforcement provisions and aligned the Act with EU regulations.
June 23, 2021 – New accessibility requirements for mobile applications came into effect.
June 28, 2025 – Additional compliance deadlines for private sector entities with revenue over €500 million.

What Businesses Are Affected

Public administration and government agencies.
Public sector service providers, including public transportation and telecommunications.
Private entities that provide public services or receive public funding.
Companies with an average revenue over €500 million in the last three years, if they offer services through websites or mobile applications.
Educational institutions and public research organizations.

Exemptions

Archived content not updated after September 23, 2019.
Web content exclusively available on internal intranets and extranets created before 2019.
Certain mobile applications developed for closed user groups.
Cases where compliance would impose a disproportionate financial or operational burden.

Responsibilities for Businesses

Ensure websites and mobile applications comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
Provide accessible formats for digital documents.
Support assistive technologies like screen readers and speech recognition.
Implement keyboard navigability and high-contrast visual settings.
Allow users to resize text for readability.
Provide descriptive form labels and real-time error identification.
Offer accessible customer service and clear accessibility statements.
Respond to reported accessibility issues within 30 days.

Specific Responsibilities for Website Owners

Follow WCAG 2.1 Level AA principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
Provide alternative text for images and icons.
Use semantic HTML and structured headings.
Ensure compatibility with screen readers and voice-control tools.
Implement keyboard navigation and alternative input options.
Include captions and transcripts for multimedia.
Offer resizable fonts and strong color contrast for readability.
Include a publicly visible way for users to report accessibility issues.

Additional Requirements

Submit mandatory accessibility declarations.
Conduct regular digital accessibility audits.
Train developers and content teams in accessibility best practices.
Maintain a visible feedback mechanism for reporting barriers.
Ensure ongoing compliance with updates to WCAG and EU standards.

Individual Rights

Right to access digital services and content without discrimination.
Right to request accessibility improvements for digital content.
Right to file complaints and request corrective actions.
Right to escalate unresolved issues to AgID for enforcement.

Enforcement

Regulatory oversight by AgID (Agency for Digital Italy).
Fines for non-compliance may reach up to 5% of a company’s annual revenue.
Public sector organizations face performance evaluations based on accessibility compliance.
Legal consequences for persistent violations, including contract invalidations and funding restrictions.