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European Accessibility Act (EAA)
Directive (EU) 2019/882 on the accessibility requirements for products and services (European Accessibility Act)
Confirmed by two sources. Last verified 10 October 2026
Next full re-check due: . Regulator news is checked monthly; changes are logged in the change log.
Cite this page: GlanceDesk Jurisdiction, “European Accessibility Act (EAA) (European Union)”, glancedeskjurisdiction.com/laws/eu-eaa, last verified 10 October 2026.
European Union Accessibility
- Status
- Applies since 28 June 2025 (transposition deadline 28 June 2022).✓
- Who it applies to
- Manufacturers, importers, distributors and service providers placing listed products/services on the EU market, including non-EU firms: computers/OS, self-service terminals, phones, e-readers, e-commerce, consumer banking, e-books, transport ticketing, AV media.✓
- Size thresholds
- Microenterprises (under 10 staff and turnover or balance sheet up to EUR 2m) are exempt for services, not products. Disproportionate-burden exemption available on assessment.✓
- Regulator
- National market surveillance authorities in each Member State✓
- Local representative
- No mandatory EU representative; manufacturers may appoint an authorised representative by written mandate, and importers carry compliance duties for products they bring in.✓
- Maximum penalty
- Set nationally (fines, product withdrawal, in some countries criminal sanctions); must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.✓
Facts marked “Being verified” are still being confirmed and are not given as answers.
What you must do✓
- Check whether your products or services are on the EAA list and whether the microenterprise exemption applies.
- Make websites, apps and e-commerce checkouts accessible (commonly via EN 301 549 / WCAG).
- Publish an accessibility statement describing how your service meets requirements.
- Document any disproportionate-burden claim and review it regularly.
- Phase out legacy service contracts by 28 June 2030 at the latest.
Recent changes
Obligations started 28 June 2025; pre-existing service contracts may run to 2030 and self-service terminals up to 20 years. EN 301 549 V4.1.1 (WCAG 2.2-based, mapped to the EAA) was published 2 Sep 2026; its listing as a harmonised standard is pending.✓
Sources
- Primary source: https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/disability/union-equality-strategy-rights-persons-disabilities-2021-2030/european-accessibility-act_en
- Second source: https://www.fieldfisher.com/en/insights/incoming-eu-product-and-service-accessibility-requirements-is-your-business-ready
- Regulator: National market surveillance authorities in each Member State
Sources used for the independent check (6)
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32019L0882
- https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/disability/union-equality-strategy-rights-persons-disabilities-2021-2030/european-accessibility-act_en
- https://www.fieldfisher.com/en/insights/incoming-eu-product-and-service-accessibility-requirements-is-your-business-ready
- https://www.twobirds.com/en/insights/2025/a-guide-to-navigating-the-european-accessibility-act-for-online-retailers-service-providers-and-plat
- https://nda.ie/news/en301549-published
- https://www.dwt.com/insights/2026/09/european-accessibility-act-ict-standards-update
= confirmed by two independent sources, at least one official. How we verify
Information only, not legal advice. Laws change; confirm with the regulator or a qualified lawyer before relying on this page. Spotted an error? Email contact@