European Accessibility Act (EAA)

The European Accessibility Act is an EU directive requiring websites, apps, and e-commerce in the EU to meet accessibility standards from June 2025.

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU directive (2019/882) that requires products and services sold in the EU to meet accessibility standards. It covers both digital and physical products. Enforcement begins 28 June 2025, meaning organizations must be ready now or face penalties from national authorities.^[1]

What does the EAA cover?

Unlike the Web Accessibility Directive, which only applies to the public sector, the EAA targets private companies. The covered products and services include:

E-commerce — Online shops and marketplaces
Banking and finance — Online banking, payment terminals, ATMs
Electronic communications — Messaging apps, VoIP services
Transport — Booking systems and travel information for air, rail, bus, and ferry
Audiovisual media — Streaming platforms and on-demand services
Hardware — Computers, smartphones, tablets, self-service kiosks
E-books — Digital books and reading software^[2]

For organizations running e-commerce sites, banking portals, or insurance platforms in the EU, the EAA applies directly.

What are the technical requirements?

The EAA does not list detailed technical rules itself. Instead, it points to the European standard EN 301 549. For websites and apps, EN 301 549 requires WCAG 2.1 Level AA.^[3]

In plain terms: if your website already meets WCAG 2.1 AA, you are well-positioned for the EAA. IT teams should run an accessibility audit against this standard. Content teams should check images, headings, forms, and link text. Legal teams should document the results.

Who must comply with the EAA?

The EAA applies to any business that places products on the EU market or offers covered services to EU consumers. This includes:

EU-based organizations offering covered products or services in any member state
Non-EU organizations (including UK and US companies) that actively market to EU consumers

Simply having a website that EU residents can access does not trigger the obligation. The key question is whether your organization directs its commercial activity toward EU customers.

Are there exemptions?

Micro-enterprises — fewer than 10 employees and under two million euros in turnover — are exempt for services. There is no exemption for products.

Service providers already operating before June 2025 have until June 2030 to comply, as long as their service contracts do not change significantly. Self-service terminals (like ATMs and kiosks) have transition periods extending to 2045 for existing hardware.^[1]

How is the EAA enforced?

Each EU member state has designated enforcement authorities. Consumers and disability organizations can file complaints. Penalties vary by country but must be "effective, proportionate, and dissuasive."

For large organizations, enforcement risk is not just about fines. A public complaint or regulatory action can damage brand trust — especially in sectors like banking, healthcare, and government where trust is everything.

How does the EAA relate to the Web Accessibility Directive?

The two laws work side by side. The Web Accessibility Directive covers public sector bodies. The EAA covers the private sector. Both use the same technical standard (EN 301 549, which references WCAG 2.1 AA). Organizations that serve both government and commercial customers — like SaaS vendors selling to public hospitals or universities — may need to assess obligations under both.^[2]

How Askem Helps

The EAA's technical requirement is WCAG 2.1 AA, so organizations need ongoing monitoring — not just a one-time audit. Continuous accessibility scanning tools check every page against the standard and alert teams when new issues appear. Tools like Askem also scan PDFs and login-gated areas, which are often overlooked in standard audits but are clearly within the EAA's scope. For private-sector organizations now in scope, this kind of evidence helps legal teams demonstrate compliance to regulators.

Sources

EUR-Lex — Directive (EU) 2019/882 on the accessibility requirements for products and services: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32019L0882
European Commission — European Accessibility Act overview: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1202
ETSI — EN 301 549 V3.2.1 Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services: https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_en/301500_302000/301549/03.02.01_60/en_301549v030201p.pdf