EAA Compliance for US Businesses — What You Must Know in 2026

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) came into full enforcement on June 28, 2025. If your US-based business sells products or services to customers in the European Union — through your website, app, or any digital channel — you are likely covered. Fines can reach €100,000 per violation, and enforcement is already active across all 27 EU member states.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything US businesses need to know about EAA compliance: who must comply, what the technical standards require, deadlines, penalties, and step-by-step action items.

What Is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?

The EAA is an EU directive (Directive (EU) 2019/882) that harmonizes accessibility requirements across all 27 EU member states. It replaces individual national laws and creates a single, unified standard for digital accessibility across Europe.

The technical standard referenced is EN 301 549 v3.2.1, which is based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA with additional requirements for non-web documents, software, and hardware. This means if your website is already WCAG 2.1 AA compliant, you are most of the way to EAA compliance.

EAA vs ADA — Key Differences

Many US businesses confuse the EAA with the ADA. Here's how they differ:

Aspect	ADA Title III (USA)	EAA (European Union)
Applicability	US businesses serving US public	Any business serving EU customers (including US companies)
Technical Standard	WCAG 2.1 Level AA	EN 301 549 (based on WCAG 2.1 AA)
Deadline	No fixed deadline (enforced via lawsuits)	June 28, 2025 (already active)
Maximum Fine	$75,000 (first), $150,000 (repeat)	€100,000+ per violation

Does the EAA Apply to Your US Business?

The EAA applies to you if your business offers any of these products or services to EU consumers:

• E-commerce websites — Any online store selling products to EU customers
• Mobile apps — iOS and Android apps available in EU app stores
• Banking and financial services — Online banking, payment services, investment platforms used by EU customers
• Transport services — Airlines, trains, buses, ferries with EU routes
• Telecom providers — Phone, internet, messaging services to EU customers
• E-book platforms — Digital reading apps and e-book stores with EU customers
• Customer service systems — Chat, email, phone support for EU customers

Important: The EAA applies based on where your customers are, not where your business is registered. A US company selling digital products through its website to a customer in France is covered.

EN 301 549 — The Technical Standard

EN 301 549 is the European standard for digital accessibility. It incorporates all WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA success criteria (78 total) plus additional requirements:

• Non-web documents — PDFs, Office files, EPUBs must be accessible
• Software applications — Desktop and mobile apps
• Hardware — Self-service terminals, ATMs, kiosks
• Two-way voice communication — Phone systems, VoIP
• Video communication — Real-time text (RTT), captions

For most US businesses, the primary focus will be on WCAG 2.1 AA compliance for websites and mobile apps.

EAA Deadlines — Are You Already Late?

The EAA has been fully enforced since June 28, 2025. There is no grace period for US businesses. However, some transition periods apply:

• New websites and apps (published after June 28, 2025): Must comply immediately
• Existing websites and apps (published before June 28, 2025): Must comply by June 28, 2027 for e-commerce; other services have until 2030
• Self-service terminals (ATMs, kiosks): Until 2045 (long transition for hardware replacement)

EAA Penalties — What Happens If You Don't Comply?

Each EU member state sets its own penalties. Here's what's currently published:

• Germany (BFSG): Fines up to €50,000; market bans for products
• France (RGAA): Daily fines up to €1,500 per day; up to €75,000
• Spain: Fines up to €100,000 for severe violations
• Italy: Fines up to €80,000; public shaming on government registry
• Netherlands: Fines up to €150,000; public shaming
• Poland: Fines up to PLN 200,000 (≈€45,000)
• Ireland: Fines up to €60,000

Beyond fines, your products can be banned from EU markets. The European Commission can refer non-compliant businesses to national enforcement bodies, which can order market withdrawals.

EAA Compliance Checklist for US Businesses

Use this checklist to assess your EAA compliance readiness:

• ✓Website WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliant — All 50+ success criteria
• ✓Mobile apps accessible — VoiceOver (iOS) and TalkBack (Android) compatible
• ✓PDF documents tagged — All downloadable PDFs must be accessible
• ✓Checkout process keyboard accessible — No mouse required
• ✓Customer support accessible — Chat, email, phone support must be accessible
• ✓Accessibility statement published — Including contact for accessibility issues

EAA vs US Laws — Do You Need Both?

If your US business serves both US and EU customers, you need to comply with both ADA Title III and the EAA. The good news is that both laws reference WCAG 2.1 Level AA as their technical standard. Fixing your website to WCAG 2.1 AA satisfies both legal frameworks.

However, there are differences in scope:

• ADA Title III applies to all public-facing businesses in the US (no geographic limit)
• EAA applies only to products and services sold to EU customers
• EAA has stricter deadlines — it's already in enforcement; ADA has no fixed deadline but active lawsuits
• EAA covers non-web documents more explicitly — PDFs, Office files, EPUBs

How AccessiTool Helps with EAA Compliance

AccessiTool's dedicated EAA Compliance Checker scans your website against EN 301 549 standards:

• Tests all WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA success criteria
• Checks keyboard accessibility, screen reader compatibility, alt text, focus indicators
• Generates compliance score and PDF report
• Completely free, no signup required

Frequently Asked Questions — EAA for US Businesses

Q1: Does the EAA apply to my US business if I don't have an office in Europe?

Yes. The EAA applies based on where your customers are, not where your business is located. If you sell digital products or services to EU consumers through your website, you are covered.

Q2: What's the deadline for US businesses to comply with the EAA?

New websites and major updates must comply immediately. Existing websites have until June 28, 2027 for full compliance, but new content added after June 2025 must comply immediately.

Q3: What are the fines for EAA non-compliance?

Fines vary by EU member state but can reach €100,000 per violation. Some countries impose daily fines (up to €1,500/day in France). Products can also be banned from EU markets.

Q4: Is WCAG 2.1 AA enough for EAA compliance?

Yes. EN 301 549 is based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA. If your website meets WCAG 2.1 AA, it meets the technical requirements of the EAA for web content.

Q5: Does the EAA apply to my mobile app?

Yes. Mobile apps for e-commerce, banking, transport, and telecom services must comply with EAA. iOS apps must work with VoiceOver; Android apps must work with TalkBack.

Q6: How do I test my website for EAA compliance?

Use our free EAA compliance checker. Enter your URL for an instant scan against EN 301 549 standards. Get compliance score, violation list, and PDF report.

Don't Risk €100,000 Fines — Test Your EAA Compliance Today

With enforcement already active, US businesses selling to EU customers cannot afford to wait. Test your website now — it's free and takes less than 60 seconds.