The EAA was adopted in 2019 and came into force in 2021.
As of 28 June 2025, companies must ensure that the newly marketed products and services covered by the Act are accessible.
The EAA covers a wide range of products and services, not limited to:
- Information and communication technologies (ICT), such as computers, smartphones, and websites
- Transport, such as buses, trains, and airplanes
- Other products and services, such as ATMs, ticketing machines, and banking services
- All public sector and private sector websites
- E-commerce
Does the European Accessibility Act apply to you?
The EAA applies to all businesses that provide products or services in the EU, regardless of their size or location. It also applies to public sector bodies.
This includes websites and apps for government agencies, schools, hospitals, and other public services, as well as e-commerce stores, service providers, agencies, large corporations, and any other business.
This means that by 2025, all business websites operating in the EU must be accessible. Micro organizations (those with under 10 employees) may be exempted on the grounds of ‘undue burden’.
How does the European Accessibility Act work?
The EAA sets out several accessibility requirements for products and services. These requirements are based on international standards and best practices (currently, WCAG 2.1 Level AA).
Businesses and public sector bodies must take all reasonable measures to comply with the EAA requirements. This may mean changing their products and services or providing alternative means of access.
How is the European Accessibility Act enforced?
The EAA is enforced by the Member States of the EU. Each Member State must designate a “competent authority” to monitor compliance with the EAA.
The competent authorities can investigate complaints about accessibility and take enforcement action against businesses and public sector bodies that do not comply with the EAA requirements.
How can you comply with the European Accessibility Act?
The EAA’s web accessibility requirements are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. WCAG is an international standard that provides guidelines for making web content accessible to people with disabilities.
You should ensure that your website and app are measured against the WCAG guidelines and that any failures are assessed and resolved.
There are several steps that businesses and public sector bodies can take to comply with the EAA requirements. These include:
- Automated website testing
- Expert accessibility auditing
- Education and training of staff about the importance of accessibility
- Creating policies and procedures to implement accessibility at every stage of design, development, and content creation
Silktide has published a number of resources to help businesses and public sector bodies comply with the EAA. These resources include guidance documents, checklists, training materials, and free tools.
EAA for public sector websites
Applies to:
Government authorities, including:
- National
- Regional
- Local authorities
Bodies governed by public law, examples including:
- Executive agencies
- Schools and universities
- Hospitals
Requirements:
- Comply with Level AA of WCAG 2.1
- Publish an accessibility statement that makes clear the level of accessibility across the website or app
- Apply practice and policies to address the needs of people with disabilities
Potential cost of violation
Each EU member state is responsible for enforcing the European Accessibility Act, which means that they can decide the penalties. However, they must enforce non-compliance in a way that is “effective, proportionate, and dissuasive”.
Consumers must be able to report infringements to a court or the enforcing body in that country.
Recommendations
Ensure website compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA
EAA for private sector websites
Applies to:
Private sector organizations under the jurisdiction of the European Union, including:
- Companies providing electronic communications services
- Services providing access to audio-visual media services
- Consumer banking services
- E-commerce services
Requirements:
- Comply with Level AA of WCAG 2.12
- Provide information about the service, its accessibility features, and facilities
- Make websites and mobile devices easily accessible
- Apply practice and policies to address the needs of people with disabilities
Potential cost of violation
Each EU member state is responsible for enforcing the European Accessibility Act, which means that they can decide the penalties. However, they must enforce non-compliance in a way that is “effective, proportionate, and dissuasive.
Recommendations
- Ensure website compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA
- Anticipate the needs of disabled people and make appropriate reasonable adjustments
- If you’re a small enterprise, consider the ‘disproportional burden’ exemption
EAA impact on US-based business
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) has implications for businesses based outside of Europe, including those in the United States, if they provide services or products within the European Union.
Applies to:
- All US-based businesses that offer products or services to any EU member state.
Benefits of the EAA to US businesses
Standardization of Rules
The EAA establishes a set of common accessibility rules for private sector companies to follow, making it easier to sell compliant services and products in all parts of the EU. This can simplify the process for US businesses operating in multiple EU countries.
Cost Reduction
Common rules across the EU will help reduce accessibility costs to businesses. According to the European Commission, the costs caused by the absence of harmonization were around €20 billion in 2020. The EAA is expected to reduce this figure by 45% – 50%.
Market Expansion
The need for new accessible products will create new possibilities for businesses, and the elimination of barriers between Member States is going to create a bigger, united market focused on accessibility.
Reputation and Brand Image
By pursuing accessibility, businesses can be part of creating something truly worthwhile. There are over 100 million people with a disability in the EU. A business that prioritizes digital accessibility is more likely to draw in some of that market.
Legal Consequences of non-compliance
Non-compliance with the EAA could expose US businesses to potential legal consequences in the EU. The exact amount of the fines has yet to be specified and is dependent on individual member states.
Next steps
Getting started with web accessibility can seem overwhelming, but Silktide has the tools and experience to help you understand and comply with Californian accessibility legislation.
We combine powerful automated web accessibility testing with in-depth expert manual auditing by trained accessibility professionals.
Learn more about Silktide’s range of accessibility services.