Do You Need to Comply With the European Accessibility Act?
The EAA has applied across the EU since 28 June 2025. Answer four quick questions to see if it applies to your business or if you are exempt, then scan your website to see if it passes.
Does the EAA apply to you?
A 4-question check based on the EAA's scope and its micro-enterprise exemption. No email needed, your answer shows instantly.
This is general guidance, not legal advice. The EAA is a directive enforced separately by each EU member state. Confirm your exact obligations with a qualified accessibility or legal advisor.
Now check if your website passes
A real accessibility scan powered by Google Lighthouse. It checks your page against common WCAG 2.1 success criteria and scores it out of 100.
Scanning with Google Lighthouse, this takes 20 to 40 seconds…
Automated checks catch many WCAG 2.1 issues but not all of them. Things like keyboard traps, logical reading order and meaningful alt text still need a human to confirm. A passing score is a strong start, not a full WCAG 2.1 AA conformance audit.
Get your full EAA report and 90-day fix plan
Tell us where to send it. Our team reviews your verdict and scan, then emails a plain-English report plus a 90-day plan to get your site to WCAG 2.1 AA. Free, no obligation.
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What is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) is an EU law that requires a wide range of products and services to be accessible to people with disabilities. Member states have applied it since 28 June 2025, so it is now in force, not a future deadline.
It covers consumer-facing products and services placed on the EU market, including:
- E-commerce websites and apps
- Consumer banking, payment terminals and ATMs
- E-books and e-readers
- Transport ticketing, booking and information services
- Electronic communications and access to audiovisual media services
- Computers, operating systems and smartphones
For websites and apps, the practical standard is the harmonised European standard EN 301 549, which points to WCAG 2.1 level AA. Meeting WCAG 2.1 AA is the working target for almost every business.
EAA compliance, common questions
Who needs to comply with the European Accessibility Act?
Businesses that place covered products or services on the EU market, including e-commerce, consumer banking, e-books, ticketing and many digital services. It applies whether or not your company is based in the EU, so a business outside the EU that sells to EU consumers is in scope.
When did the EAA come into force?
The directive was adopted in 2019 and EU member states have applied its requirements since 28 June 2025. It is already enforceable, so this is a current obligation rather than a future one.
Is there a small business or micro-enterprise exemption?
Yes, in part. Micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 people and an annual turnover or balance sheet total of €2 million or less) that provide services are exempt from the accessibility requirements. The exemption does not fully cover products: a micro-enterprise dealing with products has lighter documentation duties, but the products still need to meet the requirements. This is general guidance, not legal advice.
What standard does my website need to meet?
For digital products and services the harmonised standard is EN 301 549, which references WCAG 2.1 level AA. In practice, getting your website and app to WCAG 2.1 AA is the right target for compliance.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Penalties are set by each EU member state and must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. They typically include fines and, in serious cases, orders to withdraw a non-compliant product or service from the market. Because each country sets its own regime, confirm the specifics for the markets you sell in.
Does the EAA apply to businesses outside the EU?
Yes. The EAA is about products and services placed on the EU market, not about where the company is registered. If you sell to consumers in the EU, you are expected to meet the requirements, the same way you would meet the EU's other consumer and data rules.