All ATMs installed from this Saturday will now have to meet strict accessibility criteria for people with disabilities. This obligation will ultimately transform the banking experience of millions of French people.
A European directive to improve access for all
This development is not the result of a French decision, but stems directly from Directive (EU) 2019/882, also known as the European Accessibility Act. Adopted in 2019, this directive aims to harmonize the accessibility of products and services throughout the European Union. It applies to several areas, including transport, digital technology, and banking services.
In short, the objective is to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their disability (visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive), can access basic services without obstacles. And ATMs, long designed without any particular consideration for accessibility, are directly in the firing line.
From Saturday, June 28, all ATMs put into service will have to integrate several specific features:
- Voice instructions activated via a headphone jack,
- High contrast on screens,
- Large text,
- Simplified navigation.
This will allow, for example, a visually impaired person to withdraw money alone, completely independently, provided they have headphones to hear the instructions.
Current models that are not compatible will not be banned overnight, but no new devices can be installed without these improvements. Older ATMs, on the other hand, benefit from a transitional period: they will remain in service until they are replaced or updated, with a deadline set for 2030.
A gradual transformation of the banking system
For banking institutions, this reform involves significant technical and financial work. Even if many recent ATMs are already partially compliant, many older models will have to be replaced or updated, which represents a significant cost for banks.
According to initial estimates from the sector, several thousand ATMs remain to be adapted in France. Some banks have already anticipated the reform, but for others, action will be needed quickly, particularly in rural branches, where ATMs are often older.
The entry into force of this obligation will not be purely symbolic. The DGCCRF (General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control) will be responsible for inspections. In the event of non-compliance, sanctions could range from simple injunctions to fines of up to €1,500 per infraction, or even suspension of service in the event of prolonged non-compliance.
Consumer and disability advocacy associations will also be paying close attention. For them, this progress was long-awaited, given that the exclusion of vulnerable groups from certain banking services remains a reality.
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