European Accessibility Act 2019
The European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882) harmonises accessibility requirements across EU member states for a wide range of products and services. Member states were required to transpose it into national law by June 2022, with obligations on businesses taking effect from June 28, 2025.
What the law requires
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU Directive that establishes a common set of accessibility requirements across EU member states to reduce fragmentation in the single market. Before the EAA, each EU country had different accessibility rules, making it difficult for companies to sell accessible products and services across borders.
Products in scope:
- Computers, operating systems, and smartphones
- ATMs, ticketing machines, and self-service terminals
- TVs and digital television equipment
- E-readers
- Telephony equipment and services
Services in scope:
- Electronic communications services (telephone, SMS)
- Audiovisual media services and their websites and apps
- Air, rail, bus, and ferry passenger transport services (including websites, apps, and tickets)
- Banking services (websites, apps, ATMs)
- E-books and dedicated software
- E-commerce (online stores)
The EAA requires that in-scope products and services be accessible in accordance with defined functional accessibility requirements. For digital services, these align closely with WCAG 2.1 Level AA and EN 301 549.
Key June 28, 2025 deadline: After this date, all new products and services placed on the EU market must comply. Products placed on the market before this date have a transition period until 2030.
Microenterprise exemption: Businesses with fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover under €2 million are exempt from the services obligations. Products are not exempt.
Who it protects
People with disabilities across the European Union, particularly those using assistive technologies, who benefit from consistent accessibility standards across products and services regardless of which EU country they are in.
Who must comply
Businesses selling in-scope products or providing in-scope services in the EU, regardless of where the company is headquartered. A US e-commerce company selling to EU customers with a website in scope must comply.
What it does NOT cover (common misunderstandings)
The EAA does not cover all websites — only those of in-scope services (e-commerce, banking, transport, media). General corporate websites, small businesses' service sites, and purely informational websites are not in scope.
The EAA does not replace the Web Accessibility Directive, which continues to apply to public sector websites and apps.
How to enforce your rights
Each EU member state must designate a national enforcement body. Consumers can complain to these bodies. Member states must also allow for court proceedings.
Recent updates
As of 2025, EU member states have transposed the EAA into national law. The European Commission published guidance documents helping businesses understand which products and services are in scope. Industry bodies in digital, banking, and transport have been actively developing compliance programmes. The practical test of the EAA begins with June 2025 enforcement.