The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a directive of the European Union (EU) which took effect in April 2019. [1] [2] This directive aims to improve the trade between members of the EU for accessible products and services, by removing country-specific rules. Businesses benefit from having a common set of rules within the EU, which should facilitate easier cross-border trade. It should also allow a greater market for companies providing accessible products and services. Persons with disabilities and elderly people will benefit from having more accessible products and services in the market. An increased market size should produce more competitive prices. There should be fewer barriers within the EU and more job opportunities as well. [3]
Originally proposed in 2011, [4] this act was built to complement the EU's Web Accessibility Directive which targets the public sector and became law in 2016. It also reflects the obligations of the UN's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It includes a wide range of systems including personal devices such as computers, smartphones, e-books, and TVs, as well as public services like television broadcast, automated teller machine (ATMs), ticketing machines, public transport services, banking services, and e-commerce sites. [5]
The laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive have to be adopted and published by the member states by 28 June 2022. Three years later, in 2025, the requirements of the European Accessibility Act must have been implemented. [6]
Under the provisions of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), all relevant products and services made available on the EU market must now comply with accessibility requirements defined by the directive. [1] The EAA aims to improve the functioning of the internal market for accessible products and services by removing barriers created by divergent rules in different member states. It is also intended to improve access for persons with disabilities and the elderly. [7]
The requirements and obligations of this Directive do not apply to microenterprises providing services within the scope of this Directive – whereby ‘microenterprise’ means an enterprise which employs fewer than 10 persons and which has an annual turnover not exceeding €2 million or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €2 million. [8]
The European policy of applying "Design for all" principles on digital technology led to the creation of the European Harmonized Accessibility Standards EN 301 549 which defines "Accessibility requirements suitable for public procurement of ICT products and services in Europe". [9]
The EAA outlines general accessibility standards for all products and services within its scope with additional requirements for specific products and services.
For products, businesses must:
For services, requirements include:
These standards aim to improve usability and foster inclusivity across the EU. [10] [11]
This Directive, has been transposed into national laws by each Member State [12] . Each nation has implemented it in their own way, producing a range of specific legal texts, enforcement authorities, and penalties. Each country may have their own legislation which will restrict the use of lawsuits. [13] [14] [15]
| Country | National Legislation | Enforcement Authority | Fines & Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | The Web Accessibility Act (German: Barrierefreiheitsgesetz(BaFG)) [16] [17] | Federal Minister for Agriculture, Regions, and Tourism (German: Sozialministeriumservice) [18] | Up to €80,000 (reduced to €50,000 for SMEs and micro-enterprises) [19] |
| Belgium | Belgian Accessibility Act amending the Belgian Code of Economic Law [20] [21] | Fragmented: FPS Economy, BIPT, and other federal, community, and regional agencies [22] [23] | |
| Bulgaria | Accessibility Requirements for Products and Services Act (Bulgarian: Закон за изискванията за достъпност на продукти и услуги, commonly referred to as ARPSA) [24] | Various agencies | BGN 750 – 2 500 [25] |
| Croatia | NN 89/2025 (13.6.2025), Act on Accessibility Requirements for Products and Services (Croatian: O PROGLAŠENJU ZAKONA O ZAHTJEVIMA ZA PRISTUPAČNOST PROIZVODA I USLUGA) [26] [27] | Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy [28] | |
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As of 28 June 2025, companies must ensure that the newly marketed products and services covered by the Act are accessible.