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What is the European Accessibility Act? How Does it Affect Businesses?

European Accessibility Act for business

Key Takeaways

  • The European Accessibility Act (EAA) sets a unified accessibility framework to ensure equal access to products and services across the EU.
  • Businesses offering digital or physical products in the EU must meet accessibility requirements by June 28, 2025.
  • The EAA applies to a wide range of industries, including e-commerce, transport, finance, media, and self-service technologies.
  • Compliance is closely aligned with WCAG 2.1 Level AA and the European standard EN 301 549.
  • Early audits and ongoing accessibility practices help businesses avoid penalties, expand market reach, and build inclusive experiences.
It was about time the world realized the importance of accessibility. Hence, the introduction of the European Accessibility Act (EAA). But what is it and how does it affect your business? Keep reading to learn more.

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The European Accessibility Act (Directive EU 2019/882) is an EU directive that requires Member States to adopt national accessibility laws by June 28, 2022. These laws become enforceable beginning June 28, 2025. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a progressive step towards inclusivity, based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The directive is aimed at enhancing products and services by synchronizing accessibility rules across Europe. The main goal of this initiative was to improve the trade of accessible products and services in Europe and to make the market more accessible and friendly to people with disabilities. Originally proposed in 2011, the EAA was enacted in 2019 and covers the elderly and people with disabilities.

How Does the EAA Affect Businesses?

The EAA was established by the European Union for the people of Europe. If your business is run solely on the web, you must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). If your business deals with physical products, services, and digital devices, you must adhere to the EU Accessibility Act. It helps people with disabilities access the same content as everyone else and ensures businesses follow a uniform set of rules, leading to:
  • Seamless cross-border trades
  • Reduced costs
  • Larger market
By following the accessibility rules, you enhance your brand image by striving to be more inclusive, provide a more accessible product to your target audience, and reduce the gap in accessibility by improving user experience.

What Products, Industries, and Services are Affected by the EAA?

To make sure there is full and equal participation of people who need extra help in accessing products and services, the EAA establishes accessibility rules. For example, ATMs must offer audio-assistive technology for visually impaired people. Other products that need to be made accessible for people with disabilities include:

  1. Restaurants and Shops

    • Self-service technologies, point-of-sale devices, and kiosks

  2. E-commerce and Online Service Providers

    • Consumer-facing sites and apps

  3. Airlines and Transport

    • Mobile apps
    • Websites
    • Electronic tickets and electronic ticketing services
    • Self-service technologies, point-of-sale devices, and kiosks
    • Delivery of transport service information, including real-time travel information

  4. Mobile Device or Computer Manufacturing/Distribution/Importing

    • Communication and telephony equipment with computer capability
    • Computers and mobile phones
    • Media equipment with computer capability
    • Point-of-sale devices and self-service kiosks
    • E-readers

    Note: Remember that accessibility is not just about the product itself. It also extends to the packaging, instructions, and labels. Providers must make sure that every aspect of their technology is accessible to everyone, from the way it is presented to how users interact with it.

  5. Media Streaming and Telephony Providers

    • Websites
    • Mobile apps
    • Media equipment with computer capability
    • Communication and telephony equipment with computer capability

    Note: Accessibility goes beyond just the content and also applies to the services and features used to deliver it. Media providers must ensure that every aspect of their platform is designed to offer equal access to people with disabilities, meeting both product- and content-specific accessibility standards.

  6. Financial Industry

    • Consumer banking services
    • Websites
    • Mobile apps
    • Contact information
    • ATMs, point-of-sale devices, kiosks, and self-service transaction machines

  7. Healthcare Organizations

    The EAA does not specifically cover healthcare services unless those services overlap with any of the previously mentioned technologies or experiences.

  8. Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) Organizations

    Businesses selling technology or software to the public or private sectors should prioritize EAA compliance, as their customers will expect products to meet these standards during the procurement process.

What are the Key Requirements of EAA & How to Comply with EAA?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) establishes a unified set of accessibility requirements across the European Union, ensuring that people with disabilities can access and use key digital products and services. Businesses operating in sectors such as e-commerce, telecommunications, and digital publishing must comply with these regulations to enhance inclusivity and avoid potential penalties. The EAA mandates accessibility in various areas, including websites, mobile applications, self-service kiosks, and electronic communications.
Below are the key requirements businesses need to meet:
  • Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA: Websites, mobile apps, and digital content must adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at Level AA to ensure usability for individuals with visual, auditory, and cognitive impairments.
  • Digital Services: Online platforms, e-commerce websites, and mobile applications must be designed with accessibility in mind, enabling users with disabilities to navigate, interact, and complete transactions seamlessly.
  • Electronic Communications: Telecommunications services, messaging platforms, and video conferencing tools must incorporate accessibility features such as text-to-speech, captions, and real-time text to support individuals with disabilities.
  • Self-Service Terminals and Kiosks: ATMs, ticketing machines, and other self-service devices should include accessibility features such as screen readers, tactile keypads, and height-adjustable interfaces to accommodate users with varying needs.
  • E-books and Digital Publications: Digital reading materials must support features like text-to-speech, adjustable fonts, and alternative text for images, ensuring accessibility for individuals with visual impairments.
Complying with the EAA is not just a regulatory obligation but a step toward a more inclusive digital landscape. Businesses should take proactive measures to integrate accessibility features into their services, fostering a more equitable experience for all users.
Also Read: EU Web Accessibility Directive

What Happens for Not Complying with the EAA?

Enforcement of the EAA will be handled by individual EU nations through market surveillance, and non-compliance can lead to serious repercussions. Penalties vary by Member State and may include significant financial fines, withdrawal of products from the market, corrective action orders, or suspension of service offerings.

What’s the Difference Between the EU Web Accessibility Directive and WCAG?

While the EU Web Accessibility Directive and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 (WCAG 2.2) may overlap, they are distinct initiatives. They have different implications in private and public organizations. The core of the web accessibility directive lies in the WCAG 2.0. The directive does not hold specific rules for apps or websites to comply with. In fact, the readers have to refer to Standard EN 301 549 of the Accessible ICT Procurement Toolkit, which cites WCAG 2.2 for more clarification.
So, what makes them different, and why is it necessary to follow both? The WCAG 2.0, WCAG 2.1, and WCAG 2.2 are set by the World Wide Web Consortium. They are influential, but they cannot legally enforce the guidelines on their own. By setting down WCAG principles in the web directive, the European Union makes it necessary for all its members to follow the WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards by default. Hence, the directive is needed to set the WCAG in motion and compulsorily make everyone follow it.

EU Web Accessibility Directive vs the European Accessibility Act

The EU Web Accessibility Directive mainly focuses on public institutions, requiring their websites and mobile apps to be accessible.
However, the European Accessibility Act takes it a step further, extending these obligations to the commercial sector. Businesses across different industries must now ensure that both their digital and physical products and services are accessible. This includes creating an accessibility statement, resolving accessibility issues, and providing a way for users to report problems.

EAA Compliance Deadline & Timeline

The European Accessibility Act compliance deadline was June 28, 2025. By this date:
  • All newly introduced covered products and services were required to meet accessibility requirements
  • Websites, mobile apps, digital platforms, and self-service technologies were required to be accessible
Products placed on the market before June 28, 2025, may qualify for limited transition periods. However, services and digital interfaces generally require full compliance by the enforcement date.
Businesses should begin audits and remediation well in advance to avoid last-minute compliance risks.

Common EAA Compliance Mistakes Businesses Should Avoid

Many organizations underestimate the scope of the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Common pitfalls include:
  • Assuming WCAG compliance equals full EAA compliance, ignoring documentation and product-level requirements.
  • Overlooking accessibility documentation, such as accessibility statements and technical records.
  • Treating accessibility as a one-time fix, rather than an ongoing operational responsibility.

How Continual Engine Helps You Comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?

EAA aims to make the European market as accessible as possible for people with different abilities by removing barriers to accessibility. This will ultimately encourage inclusiveness in European society. Hence, every company that does business in the European market needs to be compliant with the EAA and should make modifications internally to make better operations.
Automating your accessibility is the best option to avoid going through the hassle of manually making your business more accessible. You can make it happen with Continual Engine.

Ready to prepare for the European Accessibility Act?

Partner with Continual Engine to assess accessibility gaps, simplify remediation, and build scalable compliance with confidence.
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FAQs

  1. What is the purpose of the European Accessibility Act?

    The European Accessibility Act aims to ensure people with disabilities can access essential products and services across the EU. It removes barriers, promotes inclusion, and creates a unified accessibility framework that supports equal participation and cross-border trade.

  2. Is the European Accessibility Act mandatory?

    Yes. The European Accessibility Act is mandatory for specific products and services within the EU. Organizations must comply by June 28, 2025, or risk penalties, enforcement actions, and market restrictions.

  3. How does the EAA affect non-EU companies?

    Non-EU companies must comply with the European Accessibility Act if they sell products or offer services to EU customers. This includes websites, apps, digital platforms, and covered technologies used in the EU market.

  4. What accessibility standard does the EAA follow?

    The EAA aligns closely with WCAG 2.1 Level AA and references EN 301 549, which expands accessibility requirements to cover software, hardware, and digital services beyond websites.

  5. How do I check if my website complies with the EAA?

    Start with a WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility audit that includes automated testing and expert review. Accessibility statements, documentation, and assistive technology testing are also critical. To accurately assess compliance with the European Accessibility Act, organizations often rely on specialized accessibility and compliance experts. Continual Engine supports EAA readiness through structured accessibility audits that combine automated analysis with expert-led manual testing.

  6. Does the European Accessibility Act apply to the UK?

    No, the European Accessibility Act does not directly apply to the UK after Brexit. However, UK businesses serving EU customers must still comply with the Act to operate legally within the EU.

  7. Does the European Accessibility Act require captions, subtitles, and audio descriptions?

    Yes. The European Accessibility Act requires audiovisual content to be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes captions or subtitles for users with hearing impairments and audio descriptions, including extended audio descriptions, for users with visual impairments, in line with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

  8. Which European languages are mandatory under the Accessibility Act?

    The EAA does not mandate specific languages. However, ensure that the accessibility requirements are met in the official language(s) of the EU country where the product or service is offered.

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