DigitalAccessibility2025:HowdoyoumakeyourwebsitecompliantwiththeRGAA?

From 28 June 2025, private companies employing more than 10 people or with a turnover in excess of €2 million will have to comply with the RGAA (Référentiel Général d'Amélioration de l'Accessibilité).

In concrete terms, for each website or web application targeting European users, they will have to comply with the following obligations:

• Carry out an accessibility audit of their product,

• Include an ‘Accessibility’ link on every page of the website or application,

• Declare their site or app ‘Accessible’ / ‘Partially accessible’ or ‘Non-compliant’, depending on the percentage of criteria met,

• Include the percentage of the site's pages that are accessible and the percentage of accessibility criteria met on the ‘Accessibility’ page, and also attach the ‘Audit Report’,

• Display the improvements planned to optimise site accessibility.

From 28 June 2025, thousands of businesses will have to comply with the General Accessibility Improvement Standards, or face the following penalties:

• Fine for non-compliance: A penalty of up to €50,000 per inaccessible digital service, renewable every six months if the failure persists.

• Fine for failure to comply with reporting obligations: A fine of up to €25,000, also renewable every six months if the failure persists, for failure to publish the accessibility declaration, the multiannual accessibility plan or the notice on the home page.

The supervisory authorities, such as the DGCCRF, ARCEP, Arcom, ACPR, AMF and Banque de France, will adopt a graduated approach, focusing on raising awareness and providing support before imposing penalties.

However, in the event of persistent breaches, it is logical to expect that the penalties will become increasingly severe.

Although this law requires a certain amount of financial investment and time for companies, it is nonetheless a great help for people with disabilities.

With the rise of new technologies, society is becoming increasingly dependent on digital services to access fundamental rights (education, employment, administrative services, health, etc.). Unfortunately, the development of these services is often too rapid in comparison with the implementation of means of accessibility for all. The aim of this law is to reduce the digital divide and guarantee equal access for all.

What's more, France is committed to complying with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and European directives on digital accessibility, such as European Directive 2016/2102. The increased penalties are designed to bring national legislation into line with these international commitments.

Finally, the law also aims to raise awareness among businesses and public administrations of the importance of digital accessibility. It seeks to establish a culture of accessibility right from the design stage of digital products and services, thereby raising standards and making life easier for thousands of users.

Good news!

Blacksmith can carry out a digital accessibility audit of your website, application or service!

You can also carry out your own diagnosis using Ara.

Currently in beta version, Ara is a tool designed to make it easier for professional auditors to carry out accessibility audits, and easier for audited departments to understand and interpret audit reports.

Ara makes it possible to :

• Take stock (partial audit of 25 or 50 criteria)

• Perform a full audit, known as a compliance audit (106 criteria)

• Generate your audit report and accessibility declaration

It was created by the Digital Services Design Unit of the Interministerial Digital Department (DINUM), with financial support from the FIPHFP.

Do you want to comply with the RGAA?

Get in touch with us!