European Accessibility Act

To ensure that all citizens, regardless of ability, can access the same products and services, the European Union (EU) has adopted the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and from 28 June 2025 this act will become national law in all 27 EU member states.

The European Accessibility Act is built upon the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Scope and purpose

The scope of EAA includes both digital products like websites, e-books, and mobile apps, as well as physical products such as ATMs, ticketing machines, and banking services.

The purpose of the EAA is to remove barriers in the EU market, this benefits both consumers, who gain access to more inclusive options, and companies, as they only need to meet one set of standards for the entire EU market.

Products and services covered

The EAA covers a variety of digital and physical products and services that play a key role in our everyday lives. Here are a few examples:

Consumer Electronics: Smartphones, tablets, computers, and e-book readers.
ATMs and Ticketing Machines: Devices such as cash machines, payment terminals, and self-service kiosks.
E-commerce: Websites and mobile applications used for online shopping.
Banking Services: Including ATMs, online banking, and mobile banking.
Telecommunications: Phone and internet services.
Audiovisual Media Services: Including TV services, media players, and related digital content.
Public Transport: Information on travel, including booking, ticketing, and real-time travel information.
Emergency Services: Ensuring accessible communication methods for emergency situations, such as through SMS or apps.

Key accessibility requirements

To ensure digital products and services are accessible, the EAA has set a few basic requirements. It's important that we follow them to maintain accessibility.

User interface: Interfaces should be easy to use and intuitive, offering alternative formats when needed, like screen readers, magnification, or audio descriptions.
Interaction: Products should work well with assistive technologies, like Braille displays or voice controls.
Information delivery: Content, instructions, and product information should be available in various formats, like text, audio, or Braille, to support people with different disabilities.
Design: Products and services should be designed to be accessible right from the start, without needing any changes.

Enforcement

Each EU member state is in charge of making sure the EAA is followed, holding businesses accountable for meeting accessibility standards. This process involves:

Monitoring and reporting: The governments actively check if businesses are complying with accessibility rules and regularly report on their findings.
Penalties for non-compliance: If a business doesn't meet the standards, they could face fines or legal actions to encourage compliance.
Complaints process: If people with disabilities come across products or services that aren’t accessible, they can file a complaint, and authorities are required to investigate and take action.

Benefits

The EAA brings big advantages, not just for people with disabilities, but also for older adults and anyone dealing with temporary impairments. By prioritizing accessibility, the Act helps you to create a more inclusive society and promotes positive change in several ways:

Inclusion: More people can actively engage in everyday life, especially within the growing digital world, which helps create a more accessible and equal society.
Innovation: By encouraging companies to think about accessibility, the Act pushes for products that are not only more user-friendly but also spark new ideas and creativity.
Economic Growth: With more accessible products and services, businesses can reach a wider customer base, opening up new opportunities and driving economic expansion.

Exceptions

Some products and services might be exempt from accessibility, requirements if meeting them would put too much strain on the business, especially for small and medium-sized companies. In these cases, the business has to show why making the product accessible would be too difficult or costly, and each exemption request is carefully reviewed individually. Even when exceptions are granted, companies are encouraged to make improvements wherever possible to support accessibility in any way they can.

Conclusion

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) adds a great step toward ensuring equal access to products and services across the EU. By setting up standards for accessibility the EAA supports a more inclusive society where individuals with disabilities, older adults, and anyone facing temporary challenges can engage fully in both physical and digital spaces.

EU member states will make sure the EAA is followed by regularly checking compliance, enforcing penalties when needed, and providing a simple process for people who encounter issues. While some businesses may qualify for exemptions if meeting requirements would be too difficult, each case is carefully reviewed. Companies are still encouraged to adopt accessible practices wherever they can. With the EAA becoming national law in June 2025, this is an important step toward a more accessible and fair future across Europe.