Introduction
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) represents the most comprehensive accessibility legislation in the world. Adopted in 2019 and enforced starting June 28, 2025, the EAA mandates that digital products and services sold or provided in the EU meet strict accessibility standards. Unlike voluntary guidelines, the EAA is legally binding across all 27 EU member states plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Organizations that fail to comply face significant fines and market restrictions.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The EAA is a directive that harmonizes accessibility requirements across Europe. It establishes mandatory accessibility standards for digital products and services, including websites and mobile applications. Official information: EU European Accessibility Act page
Applies to all EU member states and EEA countries
Mandatory compliance date: June 28, 2025
Covers both B2B and B2C digital products
Includes websites, apps, and digital services
Enforced at national level by member states
Technical Standards: WCAG 2.1 AA + EN 301 549
The EAA mandates compliance with two related standards working together: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Level AA requires: The European standard EN 301 549 goes beyond WCAG 2.1 AA and adds requirements for: Technical specifications: ETSI EN 301 549 Standard (PDF)
4.5:1 color contrast for normal text
3:1 contrast for large text (18pt+)
Keyboard accessible navigation
Alt text for all images
Captions and transcripts for multimedia
Proper heading hierarchy and structure
Form labels and error messages
Page resizable to 200% without functionality loss
Document accessibility (PDF, Office files)
Real-time communication accessibility
Non-web applications and operating systems
Mobile app accessibility (both iOS and Android)
Electronic documentation
Scope and Coverage
The EAA applies to organizations of all sizes providing digital products or services in the EU market. The following are generally exempt:
Websites and web applications
Mobile applications (iOS, Android)
Desktop software and operating systems
e-Books and digital documents
Video players and multimedia platforms
Digital ticketing and payment systems
Online shopping platforms
Real-time communication tools (video conferencing, chat)
Websites and apps of public sector bodies (covered by different rules)
Content from third parties not under service provider control
Legacy systems (before market placement June 28, 2025)
Significantly disproportionate burden (narrow interpretation)
Compliance Timeline and Deadlines
The EAA enforcement date is June 28, 2025—which means organizations must ensure compliance now or face penalties. Each EU member state has designated national enforcement bodies. Learn which authority covers your country at NANDO Database.
June 28, 2025: EAA enforcement begins
Before June 28: Organizations must audit and remediate
After June 28: Non-compliance results in enforcement action
Enforcement and Penalties
The EAA is enforced at the national level, with each member state establishing penalties for non-compliance. Penalties vary but are generally substantial: Major countries' enforcement authorities:
Administrative fines (€1,000 to €10,000+ depending on country)
Mandatory remediation orders
Market bans or product withdrawal
Consumer compensation claims
Reputational damage and loss of customers
Germany: Federal Office for Information Security (BSI)
France: French Data Protection Authority (CNIL)
UK: Equality and Human Rights Commission (post-Brexit)
Italy: Ministry of Disability
Spain: Secretaría de Estado de Igualdad
Steps to Achieve EAA Compliance
Organizations should take immediate action to prepare for the June 28, 2025 deadline. EU guidance on implementation: European Accessibility Act Implementation Guidance
Audit all digital products against WCAG 2.1 AA and EN 301 549
Identify accessibility barriers by product
Prioritize remediation efforts
Engage accessibility consultants if needed
Fix identified accessibility barriers
Update documentation and accessibility statements
Train development and QA teams
Establish accessibility governance
Conduct final accessibility testing
Generate compliance documentation
Publish accessibility statements
Establish complaint handling procedures