European Accessibility Act compliance

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is EU legislation that requires businesses to make their products and services accessible to people with disabilities. As of June 28, 2025, the EAA is now legally enforceable across all EU member states.

The directive aims to eliminate barriers that prevent approximately 87 million Europeans with disabilities from fully participating in society and the economy. For websites and online services, this means compliance with specific accessibility standards based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

Key facts about the EAA

Who must comply with the EAA?

The EAA applies to a wide range of businesses operating in the EU. If you sell products or services online, you’re likely affected.

Microenterprises exemption

Businesses with fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover below €2 million may be exempt from some requirements. However, this varies by member state and product category. Check with local authorities for specific guidance.

Technical accessibility requirements

The EAA references EN 301 549, which is based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Your website must meet these standards across four key principles:

Penalties for non-compliance

The EAA is now enforceable, and penalties vary by EU member state. Here’s what you need to know:

Financial penalties

• Fines up to €100,000 or more depending on the country and severity
• Repeated violations may result in increased penalties
• Each member state determines specific enforcement mechanisms
• Some countries may impose daily fines until compliance is achieved

Business consequences

• Damaged brand reputation and negative publicity
• Loss of customer trust and loyalty
• Exclusion from public sector contracts
• Legal liability for discrimination claims
• Reduced market access across the EU
• Competitive disadvantage against compliant businesses

Market impact

Beyond fines, non-compliance means excluding 87 million EU citizens with disabilities from accessing your products and services. This represents a significant market opportunity lost, plus the reputational damage of being seen as discriminatory.

How Scanluma ensures EAA compliance

Scanluma makes EAA compliance simple with automated scanning based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA and EN 301 549 standards.

What you need to do now

The EAA enforcement deadline has passed. Here’s your action plan to achieve and maintain compliance:

Step 1: Assess current compliance (today)

Run a free scan with Scanluma to identify all accessibility issues on your website. This takes less than 2 minutes and gives you a complete compliance report.

Step 2: Fix critical issues (week 1-2)

Use Scanluma’s code snippets to fix the most critical accessibility violations first. Focus on issues that affect core user journeys like navigation, forms, and checkout.

Step 3: Implement remaining fixes (week 3-4)

Address all remaining WCAG 2.1 Level AA issues. Most websites can achieve full compliance within 4 weeks using Scanluma’s guided approach.

Step 4: Monitor & maintain (ongoing)

Set up automated monthly scans to catch new issues as you update your website. Stay compliant over time and avoid future penalties.

European Accessibility Act FAQs

When did the European Accessibility Act come into effect?

The European Accessibility Act became enforceable on June 28, 2025. All covered businesses must now comply with the requirements or face penalties.

Does the EAA apply to my business if I’m not based in the EU?

Yes. If you sell products or services to EU consumers, you must comply with the EAA regardless of where your business is located. This includes online stores, SaaS platforms, and digital services targeting EU markets.

What’s the difference between the EAA and WCAG?

The EAA is EU legislation that requires accessibility compliance. It references EN 301 549, which is based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA. So meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards ensures you’re compliant with the EAA’s web accessibility requirements.

Can Scanluma guarantee full EAA compliance?

Scanluma automates testing against WCAG 2.1 Level AA (the technical basis for EAA web requirements) and identifies most accessibility issues. However, some aspects like content quality and user experience may require manual review. We provide the tools and reports to get you compliant, but final responsibility rests with your business.

How much does it cost to achieve EAA compliance?

With Scanluma, you can start for free with 10 scans per month. Our Pro plan (€29.95/month) includes unlimited scans and automated monitoring—a fraction of what you’d pay for manual audits or potential fines. Most websites can achieve compliance in 2-4 weeks using our code snippets.

What happens if I don’t comply with the EAA?

Non-compliance can result in fines up to €100,000 or more, depending on the EU member state. Beyond financial penalties, you risk reputational damage, loss of customer trust, exclusion from public contracts, and potential legal liability for discrimination. It’s far less expensive to achieve compliance now than to face these consequences.

Which EU countries enforce the EAA?

All 27 EU member states must enforce the EAA: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

Do I need to display an accessibility statement?

While not explicitly required by the EAA for all businesses, many member states recommend or require an accessibility statement on your website. This statement should outline your commitment to accessibility, known limitations, and contact information for reporting issues.