The European Accessibility Act (EAA), formally Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council, establishes common rules to ensure the accessibility of products and services for persons with disabilities across the European Union.
It was adopted on 17 April 2019. Member States were required to transpose it into national legislation by 28 June 2022, with full application starting on 28 June 2025.
Main Objective
To improve the functioning of the EU internal market by removing barriers to accessibility in products and services, and to:
- Guarantee equal access to digital and physical products/services for people with disabilities and older persons,
- Ensure a level playing field for businesses in the single market by preventing diverging national requirements.
Products and Services Covered
The Act applies to a broad range of products and services, including:
Products:
- Computers and operating systems
- Smartphones and tablets
- ATMs, ticketing and check-in machines, vending machines
- Television sets and media equipment
- E-readers
Services:
- E-commerce (online shopping and services)
- Consumer banking services (online and physical)
- Electronic communication services (telecoms, mobile apps)
- Audiovisual media services (TV, streaming platforms)
- Passenger transport services (information, tickets, machines)
- E-books and reading applications
- Emergency services via electronic communications
Key Accessibility Requirements
Products and services must be:
- Perceivable (information available in multiple forms – text, audio, visual),
- Operable (easy to use without complex actions),
- Understandable (clear and consistent content),
- Compatible (work with assistive technologies such as screen readers).
Importance
- Enhances the inclusion of people with disabilities (over 87 million in the EU),
- Contributes to digital and social inclusion,
- Opens new markets for innovative and accessible technologies.
Example of Application
Question: Our organisation is developing a new website. How can we comply with the European Accessibility Act?
To comply with the EAA, the new website must be accessible to all users, including persons with disabilities. This means the content should meet the WCAG 2.1 AA standard—for example: use high-contrast colours, allow keyboard navigation, provide text alternatives for images, add captions to videos, and ensure a logical heading structure. Accessibility should be considered already in the design phase, tested with WCAG compliance tools, and supported by a content management system (CMS) that enables accessible formats. These steps ensure compliance with the EAA requirements from 2025 onward.