European Accessibility Act (EAA)

EU Directive 2019/882 - Making Products and Services Accessible

Important Deadline: The EAA becomes enforceable on June 28, 2025. Businesses must be compliant by this date.

What is the EAA?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU directive that requires certain products and services to be accessible to people with disabilities. It aims to improve the functioning of the internal market for accessible products and services by removing barriers created by divergent rules in EU Member States.

Products and Services Covered

Products
  • Computers and operating systems
  • Smartphones and tablets
  • ATMs and payment terminals
  • E-readers
  • Self-service terminals
Services
  • E-commerce websites
  • Banking services
  • E-books and software
  • Transport services
  • Audiovisual media services

Who Must Comply?

The EAA applies to:

  • All businesses selling products or services in the EU
  • Both EU-based companies and international companies operating in the EU
  • Microenterprises (fewer than 10 employees) may be exempt for services only

Technical Requirements

The EAA references the EN 301 549 standard, which in turn references WCAG 2.1 Level AA for web accessibility. Key requirements include:

Perceivable content

Text alternatives, captions, adaptable layouts

Keyboard accessibility

Full functionality without a mouse

Color contrast

Minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio for text

Clear language

Readable, understandable content

Prepare for EAA Compliance

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