The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is set to change how businesses operate across Europe, with a strong focus on accessibility for people with disabilities.
The EAA aims to ensure that a wide range of products and services are accessible to everyone and will require all public sector bodies make their websites, mobile apps and software accessible to people with disabilities.
Regardless of whether an organization is based in the European Union (EU), companies must comply with EAA requirements if they conduct business in any EU member state. For example, if a US-based brand operates an e-commerce platform accessible to EU customers, it must ensure compliance with EAA regulations.
With enforcement beginning in June 2025, the EAA represents both a challenge and an opportunity for companies doing business in Europe.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act is a directive adopted by the European Union that establishes a set of common EU accessibility requirements for products and services across the member states. Its goal is to remove barriers that people with disabilities face in accessing goods, services and digital content, thereby fostering equal participation in society. The Act applies to a variety of sectors, including information and communication technologies, transportation, banking, e-commerce and more.
The scope of the EAA is broad, covering everything from websites and mobile applications to ATMs, ticket machines, e-books and electronic communications. It also includes measures for consumer services like banking, e-commerce and broadcasting, ensuring that these sectors are inclusive and accessible.
EU accessibility supporters say that Act will benefit people with disabilities and older individuals by providing more accessible products and services and higher levels of accessibility for all, more accessible products and services at competitive prices and fewer barriers when accessing transport, education and the open labor market.
Proponents also say businesses will benefit from common rules on European accessibility standards that could lead to costs reduction, easier cross-border trading and more market opportunities for accessible products and services.
Products and service covered
The EAA covers a broad range of products and services that have been identified as being most important for persons with disabilities while being most likely to have diverging accessibility requirements across EU countries. These products and services include:
- Computers and computer operating systems
- ATMs, ticketing and check-in machines
- Smartphones
- TV equipment related to digital television services
- Telephone services and related equipment
- Access to audio-visual media services such as television broadcast and related consumer equipment
- Services related to air, bus, rail and water passenger transport
- Financial and consumer banking services
- e-books
- e-commerce and online retailers with customer-facing websites and apps
In short, if a company manages a digital interface and is based in a European country or sells in the EU, the EAA applies.
Key requirements of the European Accessibility Act
Companies that provide products and services within the EU must ensure they meet the following European accessibility standards under the EAA:
- Digital accessibility: Websites, mobile apps and other digital interfaces must be designed to be usable by individuals with disabilities. This includes providing alt text for images, captions for video content and ensuring that digital tools are navigable by screen readers and other assistive technologies.
- Physical accessibility: Products like ticketing machines, ATMs, payment terminals and self-service kiosks must be usable by people with different types of disabilities. This could mean providing tactile feedback, screen magnification or audio instructions to accommodate various needs.
- User interfaces and navigation: Products and services must have clear and simple interfaces that are easy to understand and navigate. This includes ensuring that fonts, colors and contrast meet accessibility standards, making it easier for people with low vision to engage.
- Accessible communications: Electronic communications, including customer service, must be accessible. This means companies may need to provide multiple communication channels, such as text-based options for those who are deaf or hard of hearing or ensure that video content is accompanied by captions.
- Assistive technologies: Companies must ensure that their products are compatible with commonly used assistive technologies, such as screen readers, magnifiers or voice recognition software.
- Customer support and information: All information about products and services, including user manuals, must be provided in accessible formats. This can involve offering braille versions, large print or audio recordings to accommodate different types of disabilities.
Complying with the European Accessibility Act
The European Accessibility Act does not reference a specific standard and, instead, focuses more on functionally meeting the needs of people with disabilities and outlines general requirements aimed at making products and services accessible to as many people as possible.
The Act, though, is largely based on the technical standards outlined in EN 301 549, a European standard that supports the development of digital best practices for everyone, including people with disabilities. EN 301 549, however, is built on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA, which is an internationally recognized accessibility standard for web access that defines digital accessibility success around four principles that state online content must be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust.
As WCAG is an established framework for assessing digital accessibility in the EU, experts suggest that conforming to these criteria at an “AA” level is the best way for organizations to start ensuring they comply with the EAA.
The EAA is aligned with and complements other EU legislation tackling accessibility, such as the EU Web Accessibility Directive. The EU Web Accessibility Directive is a regulation that applies in all EU countries and is designed to make public sector websites and mobile applications more accessible. While the EAA applies to the private sector and covers a wide range of products and services, the Web Accessibility Directive applies to websites and apps of public sector bodies.
What companies need to do to prepare
As the 2025 deadline approaches, businesses should take proactive steps to ensure they comply with the EAA’s requirements. Here’s how companies can start preparing:
- Conduct accessibility audits: Begin by assessing your current products, services, and digital platforms to identify any accessibility gaps. An audit will help pinpoint areas that need improvement and provide a roadmap for achieving compliance.
- Design with accessibility in mind: Incorporating accessibility into the design phase is crucial. Businesses should ensure that their teams ─ including designers, developers and content creators ─ are trained in accessibility best practices. This will make it easier to meet compliance standards from the start.
- Update digital platforms: Websites and mobile apps are often the first touchpoints for consumers. Make sure they are accessible by implementing features like keyboard navigation, text resizing options and alternative text for non-text content.
- Collaborate with accessibility experts: Consider working with experts in accessibility, like Verbit, or hiring consultants to guide your efforts. Professionals can provide valuable insights and ensure that companies not only hit compliance goals but also provide an excellent user experience for everyone.
- Provide accessible training: Ensure that employees, particularly those in customer service and product development, understand the importance of accessibility and are trained to implement necessary changes.
- Monitor compliance: Accessibility is not a one-time task; it requires ongoing attention. Companies should regularly monitor and test products and services to ensure they remain accessible as technology evolves and new products are introduced.
Consequences of non-compliance
Non-compliance with the EAA can result in significant penalties for businesses, including fines and potential legal action. Beyond the financial risks, failing to comply can damage a company’s reputation, as consumers increasingly demand more inclusive and accessible products and services. The EAA also mandates transparency, meaning companies must be able to demonstrate their efforts to meet accessibility standards.
A step forward
The European Accessibility Act is a significant step toward creating a more inclusive society, and businesses must start preparing now to meet its requirements. By acting early, companies can avoid the risks of non-compliance while also improving the customer experience for millions of people across the EU. Accessibility is not just a regulatory requirement ─ it’s an opportunity for growth, innovation and social impact.
Verbit, a leading provider of AI verbal intelligence, helps businesses and institutions in the corporate, legal, education, government, and media industries meet and exceed their accessibility needs. Reach out today to learn more about how we can partner with you.