Proposed amendments to Montenegro’s Public Procurement Law could make accessibility and “design for all” principles a standard part of public-sector purchasing, creating new requirements for suppliers across construction, technology, transport and professional services. Under the proposed changes, technical specifications for publicly used goods, services and infrastructure would have to incorporate accessibility for persons with disabilities and design-for-all principles, unless an appropriate justification exists.
The changes would affect how public projects are designed, supplied and evaluated, making accessibility a broader procurement criterion.
Accessibility Requirements in Construction
Buildings represent one of the most direct areas where the new requirements could apply. Public facilities may need accessible entrances, lifts, toilets, circulation areas, signage and service counters, alongside specifications covering door widths, gradients, flooring, lighting, acoustics, tactile markings, evacuation procedures and the positioning of signs.
Architectural and engineering firms could therefore need to address accessibility during the initial design phase instead of making changes after construction has begun. Existing public buildings could generate additional demand. Facilities that were not designed around universal-access principles may require structural modifications, lifts or platform systems, accessible bathrooms, redesigned entrances and new signage. Municipalities and state institutions could consequently commission a series of smaller reconstruction projects.
Digital Services and Software
Digital accessibility could represent another significant area of procurement. Government websites, electronic public services, mobile applications, public procurement platforms, information kiosks and payment systems increasingly provide direct interfaces between citizens and public institutions.
If accessibility becomes a procurement requirement, software suppliers may need to demonstrate compatibility with screen readers, keyboard navigation, alternative input devices and other assistive technologies.
This could increase demand for accessibility testing and compliance documentation. Montenegro’s IT services sector includes companies that could provide these capabilities, although accessible digital design remains a specialised field. Software companies able to document compliance could have an advantage in public tenders as procurement requirements become more closely aligned with European standards.
Audits and Professional Services
Accessibility audits could form another area of activity. Before launching reconstruction projects, municipalities and public institutions may need assessments of buildings, websites, ticketing systems and service procedures to identify accessibility deficiencies and establish remediation plans. Specialist advisers could therefore provide assessments before investment decisions are made, with the potential for recurring work across public-sector portfolios.
The proposed requirements could also create demand for independent testing, conformity assessment and certification. Specialist auditors could assess products and digital platforms against recognised standards, while architectural and engineering reviewers could verify physical accessibility before completed works are accepted.
Transport, Healthcare and Education
Transport equipment could also be affected by accessibility specifications. Ticket machines, passenger information displays, terminals and public-service vehicles may require accessible interfaces. Suppliers could consequently be evaluated not only on price and technical performance but also on ergonomic and usability criteria. Similar requirements could influence procurement decisions for healthcare equipment and educational facilities, extending accessibility considerations across public-sector purchasing.
Impact on Contractors and SMEs
For contractors, accessibility requirements could change the risks associated with preparing bids. Companies that fail to account for technical specifications could underestimate costs and subsequently face redesign requirements. Firms with established design standards and supplier networks could instead incorporate accessibility requirements into project pricing from the beginning.
Accessibility could therefore become an additional area of tendering competence.
Large international engineering, software and product companies increasingly employ accessibility specialists because similar requirements already operate in other markets. Montenegrin SMEs may initially have less experience in this area. This could create opportunities for partnerships between domestic companies and foreign specialist consultants, particularly during the initial wave of tenders.
Training and New Market Opportunities
Training could become another commercial service. Architects, software developers, procurement officers and project managers may require instruction in universal-design principles and practical compliance. Professional associations and consulting firms could consequently develop specialised training, certification or competence programmes. The potential market could also extend beyond public procurement. Companies developing accessible products and services for government tenders could subsequently offer the same solutions to banks, retailers, hotels, corporate offices and private healthcare facilities. Public procurement could therefore provide a reference market for accessibility-related products and services in the private sector.
Montenegro’s EU integration provides an additional regulatory framework for the development, but the direct commercial effect would come from incorporating accessibility into procurement specifications. Once such requirements become part of tenders, they influence which companies can compete, which products qualify and how projects are designed. Potential participants in the resulting supply chain could include accessibility specialists, universal-design architects, digital auditors, assistive-technology providers and certification companies.
