Accessibility isn’t just a requirement for public-sector organizations in the European Union (EU). The European Accessibility Act (EAA) mandates that a range of products and services, including many types of online experiences such as e-commerce websites and mobile apps, are accessible to people with disabilities. The law, which applies to those doing business within the EU, aims to resolve discrepancies in accessibility requirements between different European countries.
Originally encoded into law in 2019, the EAA was adopted by individual EU nations starting in 2022. Providers of products and services covered by the EAA have until June 2025 to become compliant. A complaint process and surveillance monitoring will be established, and organizations that fail to meet these requirements may face penalties, including fines.
What industries, products, and services does the European Accessibility Act apply to?
The EAA covers commonly used hardware and software products, websites, and mobile apps, as well as various services pertaining to industries such as communication, commerce, finance, education, and transportation. Here is a partial list of digital assets and technologies that must comply, organized by industry.
E-commerce and online service providers
• Consumer-facing sites and apps
Note: To comply with the EAA, providers must publish accessibility statements indicating how they meet the Act’s requirements.
Shops and restaurants
• Point-of-sale devices, self-service technologies, and kiosks
Computer / mobile device manufacturing / importing / distribution
• Computers and mobile phones
• Communication and telephony equipment with computer capability
• Media equipment with computer capability
• E-readers
• Point-of-sale devices and self-service kiosks
Note: In addition to meeting product-specific accessibility requirements, providers of these technologies must ensure the accessibility of product packaging, instructions, and labeling.
Airlines and transport
• Websites
• Mobile apps
• Point-of-sale devices, kiosks, and self-service transaction machines
• Electronic tickets and electronic ticketing services
• Delivery of transport service information, including real-time travel information
Note: The EAA’s requirements apply to airlines outside the EU that have departures from the EU.
Financial industry
• Websites
• Consumer banking services
• Mobile apps
• ATMs, point-of-sale devices, kiosks, and self-service transaction machines
• Contact information
Media streaming and telephony providers
• Mobile apps
• Websites
• Communication and telephony equipment with computer capability
• Media equipment with computer capability
Note: In addition to meeting product- and content-specific accessibility requirements, these media providers must ensure the services used to deliver said content, and their features, provide equal access for people with disabilities.
Business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) organizations
Companies that sell technology or software into the public or private sector will want to follow the compliance requirements for the EAA as their customers will be requiring conformance with EAA standards as part of their procurement efforts.
Healthcare organizations
The EAA does not directly address healthcare services unless services offered are the same as any of the previously listed experiences or technologies.
Exceptions
Certain types of products and content will not need to comply with the EAA, such as some time-based media and third-party content. For specific details on exceptions that may apply to your organization, contact us.
Smiling woman working on a laptop with a pen, promoting EAA compliance with Level Access.
What is the standard for compliance with the European Accessibility Act?
While the EAA focuses on functionally meeting the needs of people with disabilities and does not itself provide specific technical standards for accessibility, the voluntary harmonized EU standard EN 301 549 will be used as the presumptive standard of conformity. This means that if you want to show that your assets meet EAA compliance requirements, they likely need to conform with EN 301 549.
EN 301 549 defines technical requirements and currently includes the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. However, the standard is slated to be updated as part of supporting the implementation of the EAA and is in the process of being updated to include WCAG 2.2. Because WCAG is an established framework for assessing digital accessibility in the EU, conforming to these criteria at an “AA” level (which includes A and AA criteria) is the best way for organizations to start ensuring they comply with the EAA. Additionally, EN 301 549 has other requirements for certain types of web content, software (such as mobile apps), and hardware that may apply.
To learn more about WCAG 2.2, and to understand how well your digital products meet its criteria, request our WCAG Checklist.
Request our WCAG Checklist
What are the requirements for European Accessibility Act compliance?
Conforming with EN 301 549 alone won’t guarantee compliance with the EAA. National laws incorporating the EAA outline an array of other requirements for product and service providers, many of which focus on how accessibility is managed within an organization. Common national requirements include implementing accessibility training for employees and monitoring accessibility on an ongoing basis. In many nations, organizations covered by the EAA must also publish an accessibility statement containing:
Information about the functionality of a product / service
Documentation of a product / service’s technical accessibility specifications and design processes
A description of how a product / service meets the EAA’s accessibility requirements
The names of enforcement authorities to which users can file accessibility complaints
Additional requirements around accessibility information, packaging, and labelling apply to covered products.
For a condensed overview of the EAA’s requirements, and how to meet them, download our info sheet.
Download EAA info sheet
What are the consequences of non-compliance with the European Accessibility Act?
The EAA will be enforced through market surveillance by individual EU nations, and organizations that fail to comply may face significant consequences. While specific penalties vary from country to country, punitive measures may include steep fines (up to three million euros), the removal of products or services from the market, and the suspension of an organization’s right to do business.
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