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.
    • Implement accessible formats for digital documents and online services.
    • Maintain compatibility with assistive technologies, such as screen readers.
    • Conduct periodic accessibility evaluations and publish an accessibility statement.
    • Provide accessible customer service options for users with disabilities.
    Specific Responsibilities for Website Owners
    • Design websites and apps to be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
    • Provide clear navigation structures and descriptive links.
    • Ensure sufficient color contrast and scalable text.
    • Offer alternative text for images and accessible multimedia content.
    • Implement keyboard navigation and alternative input methods.
    Additional Requirements
    • Mandatory accessibility declarations for public websites and mobile applications.
    • Obligation to respond to user feedback on accessibility issues within 30 days.
    • Regular accessibility audits conducted by AgID (Agency for Digital Italy).
    • Training programs for IT professionals and content creators.
    Data Subject 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.
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