The purpose of the EAA
When it comes to your website, digital accessibility is a must-have. Depending on where and how you do business, it may be legally required, and it’s the right thing to do if you want your business to be attractive to all customers and your brand to reflect inclusivity and equal access for all users.
We can’t emphasize it enough: Implementing digital accessibility practices and making sure that your online presence is welcoming to all users is good business, no matter what industry you’re in, where your business is located, or what countries you do business in.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) requires that many products and services, including online experiences such as websites and apps, be accessible. It complements the Web Accessibility Directive, which covers public-sector websites and apps, by extending accessibility requirements to key private-sector products and services.
The EAA applies to companies that offer specific products and services in the EU, including e-commerce, consumer banking, e-books, electronic communications, and parts of passenger transport, regardless of where the company is based. If details such as links, alt text, color contrast, forms, and CAPTCHA tests aren’t accessible, you risk complaints and penalties, which can damage your brand and your revenue.
These requirements can seem daunting, and meeting them can take months, not days or even weeks. For websites, most organizations work toward WCAG 2.1 Level AA, the level referenced in EN 301 549, the European standard most commonly used to show that digital services meet accessibility requirements. (Be sure to familiarize yourself with WCAG, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. It’s the framework most digital accessibility laws build on, one way or another.)
The web must be clear. Laws demand it. Siteimprove finds the problems on your pages, and it helps you fix them so you stay right.
Ready to Master EAA Compliance? Access everything you need to understand and meet the European Accessibility Act requirements in one place. Explore the EAA Resource Center now and build a truly accessible website.
EAA and GDPR: Where they overlap
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies to the EU, the EEA (Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein), and any organization that processes the personal data of individuals in the EU or targets people in the EU for the sale of its goods and services.
GDPR and the EAA are separate laws, but they overlap wherever personal data meets the user interface. If you use forms to collect data, those forms need to work with screen readers and keyboard navigation, and your explanations of how you’ll use the data should be in clear, plain language that’s understandable to users with cognitive impairments.
Login and authentication also need to be accessible to people with disabilities. Where you offer biometric options like voice or fingerprint recognition, the EAA says they shouldn’t be the only way to identify users, so always provide an alternative.
EAA must-reads from Siteimprove
If you’re not an expert in digital accessibility, we’ve compiled a list of our own resources that can help you understand what’s expected and how to meet the requirements.
What follows is comprehensive enough that you might want to bookmark this page. There’s a lot to absorb and stay on top of.
Overview of accessibility laws
It’s helpful to see how the EAA fits into the broader context of accessibility laws around the world. Our overview covers not just the EU but also the US, Canada, and Australia.
Keep in mind that the EAA is a Directive, so each member state enforces it through its own national law. In Ireland, for example, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the market surveillance authority for products, while sector regulators such as the Central Bank of Ireland oversee in-scope services. Ireland’s implementing regulations provide for fines of up to €60,000 and/or up to 18 months’ imprisonment.
The European Accessibility Act: FAQs
Explore the nuts and bolts of the EAA, from its benefits to the timeline to the risks of non-compliance.
Technically, the EAA’s service requirements cover services provided to consumers, so a business that sells only to other businesses, such as a B2B-only ecommerce site, may fall outside some of them. Some in-scope products, such as self-service terminals, can be covered no matter who buys them.
But just because you don’t have to doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. According to the World Health Organization, 16% of the world’s population lives with a significant disability, which means there’s a good chance that someone at the business you’re selling to has an impairment. If you can’t adequately serve them, you’re going to frustrate and even alienate them, and risk losing their business.
The European Accessibility Act: Are you compliant?
EAA obligations have applied since 28 June 2025. If you’re not compliant yet, you’re already exposed to penalties and reputational damage. Some transitional provisions run until 2030, but they’re narrow, so don’t count on them. Compliance can take months to achieve, so build a clear action plan and timeline now.
Sometimes there’s nothing like a checklist to help you get the ball rolling. Ours is downloadable, so it’s perfect for distributing to your team. It includes nitty-gritty details, like what needs to be in place in terms of page structure, colors, text, and titles.
It’s easy to get a quick look at where your website stands with respect to EAA compliance with our free checker.
Learning Hub: Courses in digital accessibility
Last but not least, if you’re already a Siteimprove customer, we have dozens of online courses on digital accessibility, covering everything from accessibility for PDFs to how SEO and accessibility work together.
Additional tips
- Regularly audit your digital platforms (both web and mobile) to maintain accessibility and avoid penalties. Our free EAA Checker is a great place to start.
- Develop a comprehensive compliance strategy that addresses all aspects of the EAA requirements.
- Provide clear accessibility information. Under the EAA, service providers must explain how their service meets accessibility requirements, for example in their general terms and conditions or an equivalent document. An accessibility statement is a practical way to do this and to publicly declare your commitment to digital accessibility, ideally detailing the measures your company takes to meet accessibility standards. (Take a look at our own Accessibility Statement, and use our free Accessibility Statement generator to get started on yours.)
- Make the accessibility issues that are easiest to identify and resolve your first priority. Those tend to be things like poor color contrast, missing alt text, and inaccessible forms. A scan with our EAA Checker will show you where the problems are.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The EAA is implemented through national laws, and legal obligations vary by country and context. Consult qualified counsel for legal guidance.
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