Compliance
European Accessibility Act (EAA)
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) brings binding accessibility requirements to e-commerce, banking, transport, and other digital services across the EU, with enforcement that began on 28 June 2025. It points to the same WCAG-based criteria you can test for. Scan a page below to see where you stand.
Who the EAA covers
The EAA (Directive 2019/882) applies to a defined set of products and services sold in the EU, including e-commerce, consumer banking, e-books, ticketing and transport services, and electronic communications. It covers businesses outside the EU too if they sell to EU consumers. There is a limited exemption for microenterprises providing services, but most online retailers and service providers are in scope.
What it requires, and how it maps to WCAG
For websites and apps, conformance is demonstrated through the European standard EN 301 549, which in turn incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA for web content. So in practice, meeting WCAG 2.1 AA (and WCAG 2.2 AA, which builds on it) is how you satisfy the EAA's web accessibility expectations.
The deadline already passed
Enforcement began on 28 June 2025. Unlike a future deadline you can plan around, EAA obligations are live now, and member states have designated authorities to handle complaints and penalties. If you sell to EU consumers and have not checked your site, that is the gap to close.
How to check your pages
Run the free scan above on any page. It renders the page in a real browser and runs axe-core against WCAG 2.2 A and AA (which covers the 2.1 AA the EAA relies on), outlining every failing element and mapping it to the criterion. Automated checks clear the machine-testable issues; items needing human judgement are flagged for manual review.
Frequently asked questions
When did the European Accessibility Act take effect?
Its requirements began applying on 28 June 2025. Obligations are in force now, not at a future date.
Does the EAA apply to companies outside the EU?
Yes. If you place products or provide covered services to consumers in the EU, the requirements apply regardless of where your company is based.
Which WCAG version does the EAA require?
Conformance runs through EN 301 549, which incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA for web content. Testing against WCAG 2.2 AA covers it.
Are small businesses exempt?
There is a narrow exemption for microenterprises that provide services, but most online retailers and service providers are covered. Check your specific situation.
Related guides
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Run a free scanLast updated 2026-06-23.