What Is the EAA?

Adopted in 2019, the European Accessibility Act establishes common rules to ensure certain products and services are accessible to people with disabilities across the EU member states. 

Rather than applying only to public sector entities, the EAA places significant requirements on private businesses, particularly those operating in the digital realm. Its main aim is to create a more inclusive digital environment for the 87 million citizens living with disabilities within the EU.

The Big Question – “Who Has to Comply?”

The EAA applies to private businesses that offer or sell certain products or services within the EU. In particular, this includes companies that provide digital services such as:

• E-commerce platforms and websites
• Banking and financial services 
• Transport booking services
• Telecom services 
• Streaming and media platforms 
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If your company offers any of the above in the EU market, even if you’re not based in the EU, you are likely required to comply.

Am I Exempt?

Certain businesses are excluded from mandatory compliance, specifically those classified as “microenterprises”:

Microenterprises Providing Services

These are businesses with fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover under €2 million. While you’re not legally obligated to comply with the EAA, it may still be sensible to consider accessibility as a long-term strategy.

Legacy Products

Products placed on the market before the EAA deadline (28/06/2025) may be exempt, depending on local implementation rules. (See the link at the bottom of this article for more details.)

“Disproportionate Burden” Clause

This clause is relatively complex, but in short: businesses can apply for an exemption if making accessibility changes would impose an unreasonable financial or technical burden. However, this must be clearly justified with documentation and is not guaranteed.

Don’t Forget!

28th June 2025 is the compliance deadline. From this date, all in-scope websites must meet EAA requirements.

What Should You Do Now?

If you’re a business providing digital services in the EU and don’t qualify for an exemption, now is the time to:

• Contact us for an audit your platforms for accessibility
  
• Review technical compliance, typically against WCAG 2.1 AA
  
• Begin implementation work to address any gaps

For full details regarding the EAA, see here.