European Accessibility Act (EAA)

The EAA applies to businesses that provide products or services to consumers in EU member states, including:

• E-commerce websites and online marketplaces
• Banking and financial services
• Telecommunications and media services
• Transport services (air, bus, rail, water)
• E-books and e-readers
• Operating systems and hardware

Micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees and under €2M turnover) are exempt, but most businesses selling to EU consumers are covered — even if the business is based outside the EU.

The EAA references the European standard EN 301 549, which maps directly to WCAG 2.1 Level AA for web content. If your website meets WCAG 2.1 AA, you meet the web requirements of the EAA.

EN 301 549 also includes requirements for non-web software, documents, and hardware — but for websites, WCAG 2.1 AA is the standard.

Enforcement varies by EU member state, as each country transposes the directive into national law. Penalties can include:

• Fines— amount varies by country but must be "effective, proportionate, and dissuasive"
• Market restrictions — non-compliant products/services can be blocked from the EU market
• Mandatory corrective action — authorities can require you to fix compliance issues within a deadline

Unlike the ADA, the EAA is enforced by regulators rather than private lawsuits — but the penalties for non-compliance can be significant.

The EAA compliance deadline was June 28, 2025. Many businesses selling to EU customers are not yet compliant. Regulators are beginning enforcement, and awareness among consumers and advocacy groups is increasing.

If you sell products or services to anyone in the EU — even from outside Europe — your website needs to meet WCAG 2.1 AA.