For many of us, the internet is synonymous with convenience. But for people living with disabilities, it’s a landscape fraught with potential barriers. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) hopes to change that. In this article, we discuss why and how the EAA came to be, what it requires of businesses, and what you can do to prepare for its full implementation on June 28, 2025.

What Is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a landmark piece of EU legislation that establishes comprehensive accessibility requirements for digital products and services across the European Union. It makes both essential and non-essential platforms easier to use by requiring businesses to remove common barriers to access with the ultimate goal of spurring interoperability and equity among member countries.

How the European Accessibility Act Came to Be

Like all new policies, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) started as an idea. Conversations about it began about a decade ago as the internet informally became people’s place of choice to search for, buy, and use products and services. Lawmakers saw a widening gap in online accessibility that would need to be legislated in order to ensure a future where everyone could make equal use of the online world. Coming off the EU’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) in 2011, member states spent several years planning the EAA alongside another similarly-minded policy called the Web Accessibility Directive (Directive (EU) 2016/2102).

In December 2015, The European Commission launched a legislative proposal for a directive for the EAA. The Web Accessibility Directive was actually passed by Parliament and Council first in 2016. The EAA was adopted three years later, after the European Parliament plenary approved the text on March 13th, and the EU Council approved it for official adoption on April 9th, 2019.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) comes into effect in June 2025

Why the European Accessibility Act Is Needed

The EAA was conceptualized for two main reasons. The first is necessity. There was no ignoring the internet’s prevalence in the lives of both European citizens or how fundamental access to it would become to participating in greater society. This law formally recognized that reality by setting standards with a broad brush – which leads to reason number two. Before the EAA, few cohesive policies governed internet accessibility laws across the EU. Member countries had their own respective laws in place, but unlike the GDPR and similar Bloc-wide initiatives, there was no unified approach. The patchwork regulatory landscape confused businesses and made conducting free-movement operations throughout the EU riskier from a legal standpoint. Everyone needed a single agreed-upon set of rules to follow, which is why the EAA had to happen.

The UserA11y web accessibility tool with its Accessibility Widget, Accessibility Scan and Accessibility Statement Generator can be used for compliance with the European Accessibility Act

Who Benefits From the EAA?

The EAA first and foremost benefits individuals living with disabilities. One’s access to and ability to use websites, apps, and other digital platforms is essentially a predeterminant of participation in today’s world, where everything from education to socialization happens online. If organizations and developers were allowed to continue neglecting accessibility considerations in their digital products and services, they would create massive inequity across the EU and around the globe.

Policies like the EAA make it easier for everyone to independently make use of the internet. For the blind, these standards mean the difference between being able to navigate websites through screen readers versus being completely locked out of online services. For those with motor impairments, it means being able to use websites faster. For those with cognitive disabilities, it means clearer navigation and more understandable content. The EAA’s requirements for consistent layouts, readable fonts, and logical information architecture help make digital interfaces more intuitive for users with learning differences or attention disorders.

Why the EAA Is a Good Thing for Businesses

Some businesses have the misconception that all the EAA equates to for them is extra work, when that’s not true at all. There are several advantages to be reaped on an organization’s side when accessibility is baked into online products and services.

For one, companies of all sizes enjoy easier cross-border trade with standardized accessibility requirements across EU member states. Following one set of common rules rather than navigating different regulations for each country reduces costs. The unified standards also help businesses avoid potential legal issues when operating across borders.
With fewer barriers, it becomes easier for organizations to tap into expanded market opportunities, whether those be in the form of new revenue streams, improved customer satisfaction, or specialized consulting opportunities.

It’s also worth noting that making digital interfaces more accessible often results in improved usability for all users – not just those with disabilities. Clear navigation, consistent layouts, and well-structured content benefit everyone. This enhanced user experience can lead to higher customer satisfaction, increased engagement, and ultimately better business outcomes.

How the European Accessibility Act Relates to Existing Laws and Regulations

The European Accessibility Act isn’t like the GDPR in that it doesn’t replace or override existing accessibility laws in EU member states. Instead, it works alongside them to create a more comprehensive framework for digital accessibility. The Act harmonizes accessibility requirements across the EU while allowing individual countries to maintain their own additional standards.

For example, if a member state already has stricter accessibility requirements in place for certain products or services, those standards remain valid. The EAA serves as a baseline, ensuring a minimum level of accessibility across all EU countries while permitting enhanced protections at the national level.

This complementary approach extends to other EU regulations as well. The EAA works in conjunction with policies like the Web Accessibility Directive, which specifically covers public sector websites and mobile applications. Together, these various pieces of legislation create a more complete ecosystem of accessibility requirements that address both public and private sector needs.

What and Who the European Accessibility Act Applies To

The EAA is primarily targeted at businesses that offer products and services in economically and socially significant sectors such as communication, commerce, finance, education, and transportation. Although every organization can benefit from an evolution towards accessibility, microenterprises (i.e. small businesses with less than 10 employees) are exempt. Individual member countries of the European Union also have the right to create exceptions and timeline extensions for select circumstances.

Products

Products can encompass both physical hardware and software systems.
The EAA calls for accessibility features in:

Computers and Operating Systems

Desktop computers, laptops, and their operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) must include features like screen readers, voice control, and keyboard navigation options.

Smartphones and Other Communication Devices

Mobile phones, tablets, and communication devices must provide features like text-to-speech, voice commands, and adjustable text sizes. Examples include iPhones with VoiceOver, Android phones with TalkBack, and specialized communication devices for people with disabilities.

TV Equipment

Set-top boxes, smart TVs, and remote controls must include accessible interfaces. Examples include TVs with audio descriptions, closed captions, and easy-to-use program guides.

ATMs and Payment Terminals

These must be usable by people with various disabilities. Features include audio guidance, tactile keypads, and adjustable screen heights. Examples include talking ATMs and contactless payment terminals with clear visual and audio feedback.

E-readers

Devices like Kindle, Kobo, or other digital reading devices must support features such as text-to-speech, adjustable font sizes, and high-contrast displays.

Services

Services covered by the EAA can be both real-world and online.
Here are some relevant examples:

Phone Services

Telecommunications services must support accessible communication. Examples include real-time text capabilities, relay services for deaf users, and compatible emergency communications.

Banking Services

Financial services must be accessible through multiple channels. Examples include accessible online banking websites, mobile apps with screen reader support, and accessible banking statements in multiple formats.

E-commerce

Online shopping platforms must be accessible to all users. Examples include accessible websites with clear navigation, alternative text for images, and keyboard-friendly interfaces like those used by Amazon or major retailers.

Transport Services

All digital aspects of transportation must be accessible, including:

• Booking systems for flights, trains, buses, and ferries
• Real-time travel information apps and displays
• Digital ticketing systems
• Journey planning tools

E-books

Digital books and reading platforms must be accessible.
Examples include:

• E-books with adjustable text formatting
• Support for screen readers
• Alternative text for images
• Synchronized audio and text options

Audio-Visual Media Services (AVMS) 

Streaming services and digital broadcasts must provide:

• Closed captions for deaf or hard of hearing viewers
• Audio descriptions for blind users
• Sign language options
• Accessible program guides

Emergency Services (112)

The European emergency number must be accessible through:

• Text-based emergency communications
• Real-time text capabilities
• Video relay services for sign language users
• Location-sharing features

What Does Compliance with the European Accessibility Act Look Like?

The EAA’s expectations mirror those of the aforementioned Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1., which were conceptualized around the same time as the EAA and are part of voluntary harmonized EU standard EN 301 549. That framework outlines four key principles that digital products and services must follow to be considered accessible.

Perceivable: Information and user interface components are presented to users in ways they can perceive, whether through text alternatives for non-text content or audio alternatives for text content.
Operable: User interface components and navigation are operable, with all functionality available from a keyboard. Users should have enough time to read and use content.
Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface is understandable. Text content should be readable, content should appear and operate in predictable ways, and users should be helped to avoid and correct mistakes.
Robust: Content can be reliably interpreted by a wide variety of tools, including but not limited to assistive devices.

These principles are supported by specific success criteria at different conformance levels (A, AA, and AAA), with level AA being the generally accepted standard for compliance.

Accessibility Statements

All businesses under the purview of the EAA are required to publish an accessibility statement confirming the compliance measures they’ve taken. An accessibility statement generator as offered by the UserA11y accessibility manager can be used to generate it for your organisation.
This statement should detail:

• The level of accessibility your digital products and services currently achieve
• Known limitations or barriers that exist
• Planned improvements and their timelines
• Contact information for accessibility-related feedback
• Alternative means of accessing services when digital barriers exist
• Technical specifications of accessibility features
• Results of recent accessibility assessments
• Compatibility information with assistive technologies
• References to applicable accessibility standards being followed

National-Level Requirements

In many cases, national governments require organizations to take additional steps beyond the baseline EAA requirements.
These can include:

• Appointing dedicated accessibility officers or teams
• Conducting regular staff training on accessibility best practices
• Implementing specific technical standards for digital interfaces
• Creating detailed documentation of accessibility features
• Establishing clear procedures for handling accessibility-related complaints
• Performing periodic accessibility audits and assessments
• Maintaining records of compliance efforts and improvements
• Consulting with disability advocacy groups and experts
• Developing accessibility roadmaps with concrete timelines
• Setting up feedback mechanisms for users with disabilities

How Will the European Accessibility Act Be Enforced?

Being managed on a national level, enforcement of the EAA is left up to individual countries. Their federal governments are required to put systems in place to monitor compliance, review and follow up on violations, issue disciplinary action when appropriate, and keep both the public and businesses informed. On a broad level, every EU citizen should be able to report suspected breaches of the EAA to their local authority. Every local authority must validate its enforcement with the European Union every five years.

Potential Enforcement Measures for the European Accessibility Act

Each EU member state’s market surveillance authorities are responsible for implementing their own enforcement measures and ensuring compliance with the EAA within their jurisdiction.
Examples of enforcement measures include:

Financial Penalties

• Fines of millions of euros for serious violations
• Penalties can be proportional to the company’s annual turnover
• Recurring fines for continued non-compliance

Market Restrictions

• Temporary or permanent removal of non-compliant products from the market
• Recall of products already sold to consumers
• Suspension of service delivery until compliance is achieved

Business Operations

• Suspension of business activities
• Restrictions on operating licenses
• Mandatory corrective action plans

Monitoring and Compliance

• Regular audits by national authorities
• Mandatory accessibility documentation
• Self-declaration of conformity requirements
• Market surveillance programs

Reporting Requirements

• Regular compliance reports to national authorities
• Documentation of accessibility features
• Incident reporting for accessibility-related complaints

Remedial Actions

• Mandatory corrections of accessibility violations
• Implementation of accessibility improvement plans
• Customer compensation requirements

How to Become and Stay Compliant with the European Accessibility Act

With non-specific principles drawing from multiple existing standards, the European Accessibility Act can be interpreted in more ways than one. There’s no single instruction manual for achieving guaranteed EAA compliance. The EU says it has purposely done this to allow for “innovation and flexibility”. However, it doesn’t make things easier for businesses that just want to make sure they’re on the right side of the law.

The first thing any company should do is audit its practices against key EU accessibility standards and publish an accessibility statement. The experts at CookieFirst can help you understand if your current practices align with EU accessibility requirements and what steps you need to take to achieve compliance before countries are officially required to police EAA standards on June 28, 2025.

Remember that accessibility isn’t a one-time achievement but an ongoing commitment. As technology evolves and new digital services emerge, your accessibility practices will need to evolve too. Look no further than CookieFirst for expert-level updates and resources on this and everything else in the world of web management. You can read more about the European Accessibility Act on the webpages of the European Commission about the EAA.

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