Digital accessibility is no longer optional for the Catalan Administration: it is a legal and technical obligation. Decree 216/2023 of the Generalitat of Catalonia establishes the rules, responsible parties and procedures to guarantee that websites, applications and digital services are accessible to all people, including those with disabilities.
In this guide, you will find a clear summary of the content of the decree, its scope of application, the obligations it imposes and how it is coordinated with state and European regulations.
What is Decree 216/2023?
Decree 216/2023, of November 21, regulates the accessibility of websites and mobile applications of the public sector of Catalonia.
Its objective is to guarantee that any person, regardless of their abilities, can access, navigate and interact with the digital content and services of the Catalan Administration.
This decree develops and adapts to the autonomous area what is established in:
Scope of application
The decree affects:
- Administration of the Generalitat and its autonomous bodies.
- Public sector entities dependent on the Generalitat.
- Public law corporations and Catalan public universities.
- Contractors and concessionaires that provide digital services for the Generalitat.
This means that any website, intranet, mobile application or electronic document managed by these entities must meet accessibility requirements.
Main obligations of Decree 216/2023 of Catalonia
Decree 216/2023 establishes several key obligations:
Accessibility statement
Each portal or application must publish an accessibility statement that:
- Report on the degree of conformity with the EN 301 549 standard.
- Detail the non-accessible contents and their reasons.
- Provide a contact mechanism to request accessible information.
- Include a claims procedure.
Audits and reports
Accessibility audits must be carried out periodically and documented in an Accessibility Review Report (IRA), which is sent to the responsible unit.
Maintenance and continuous improvement
Accessibility must be maintained over time, updating designs, content and code to adapt to new versions of Standard EN 301 549.
Units Responsible for Accessibility
The decree creates a responsibility structure divided into several figures:
| ACRONY | FULL NAME | MAIN FUNCTION |
|---|---|---|
| URA | Unit Responsible for Accessibility | Coordinates and monitors accessibility throughout the organization. |
| DELEGATED URA | Delegated Accessibility Responsible Unit | Exercises URA functions in a specific area or entity. |
| URS | Unit Responsible for the Service | Guarantees the accessibility of the specific service or portal. |
| URST | Unit Responsible for Technological Solutions | Ensures that the technical infrastructure meets the standard. |
Relationship with European and state regulations
Decree 216/2023 is a development standard that:
- Adapts Directive (EU) 2016/2102 to the Catalan administrative reality.
- Complements Royal Decree 1112/2018, which regulates digital accessibility at the state level.
- Requires compliance with Standard EN 301 549 V3.2.1, which defines the technical requirements for web accessibility, apps and documents.
This guarantees that Catalonia is aligned with European digital accessibility standards.
Correction of errors in Decree 216/2023
DOGC No. 9115, dated March 5, 2024, introduced changes such as:
- Updating normative references.
- Adjustments in the wording of the obligations.
- Clarification of the functions of the responsible units.
Conclusion
Decree 216/2023 not only seeks to comply with a legal requirement, but also guarantee digital inclusion. For administrations and suppliers, it implies:
- Designate and coordinate responsible units.
- Keep declarations and audits updated.
- Comply with European technical standards.
In short, it is a comprehensive framework so that Catalonia’s digital services are accessible to everyone.
