Country of Georgia Accessibility Law vs EU EAA — Complete Comparison 2026
The Country of Georgia accessibility law (effective January 1, 2027) and the European Accessibility Act (EAA) (enforced since June 28, 2025) share many similarities — both require WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance for digital services. However, there are key differences in scope, deadlines, and enforcement. This guide compares the two laws side-by-side.
Whether you're a business operating in Georgia, the EU, or both, understanding these differences is essential for compliance.
📌 Quick Answer — Georgia Law vs EAA
Both the Country of Georgia accessibility law and the European Accessibility Act (EAA) require WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance. The EAA applies to any business selling to EU customers (since June 2025). The Georgia law applies to government and private businesses in Georgia (from January 2027).
✅ Test Your Website for Global Accessibility Compliance
Use our free multi-law compliance checker to test your website against Georgia and EAA standards.
Free Multi-Law Scan →Georgia Accessibility Law vs EAA — Overview
| Feature | Georgia Law | EAA (EU) |
|---|---|---|
| Effective Date | January 1, 2027 | June 28, 2025 |
| Technical Standard | WCAG 2.1 Level AA | EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1 AA) |
| Applies To | Government + private (education, healthcare, finance, utilities, transport, retail, postal) | Businesses selling to EU customers (all sectors) |
| Geographic Scope | Country of Georgia | All EU member states |
| Extraterritorial Reach | Only Georgia-based organizations | Yes — any business selling to EU customers |
| Penalties | To be announced (by Oct 31, 2026) | Fines up to €100,000+ per member state |
| Legacy Content Exemption | Content published before Sep 1, 2027 (if not updated) | Yes — archived content |
Key Similarities — Georgia Law and EAA
- Same Technical Standard: Both require WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance
- Same Principles: Both cover websites, mobile apps, and digital content
- Legacy Exemptions: Both exempt archived/legacy content that hasn't been updated
- Documentation Required: Both require accessibility statements and documentation
Key Differences — Georgia Law vs EAA
1. Geographic Scope
EAA: Applies to any business selling to EU customers — regardless of where the company is headquartered. Georgia Law: Applies only to organizations operating in the country of Georgia.
2. Sector Coverage
EAA: Applies to all businesses selling to EU customers. Georgia Law: Applies to government bodies and specific private sectors (education, healthcare, finance, utilities, transport, retail, postal).
3. Effective Date
EAA: Enforced since June 28, 2025. Georgia Law: Effective January 1, 2027.
4. Penalties
EAA: Fines up to €100,000+ per member state. Georgia Law: Penalties to be announced by October 31, 2026.
Which Law Applies to Your Organization?
| Scenario | Georgia Law | EAA |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia-based government agency | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (unless selling to EU) |
| Georgia-based business (covered sector) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (unless selling to EU) |
| EU-based business selling to Georgia | ⚠️ Check (if operating in Georgia) | ✅ Yes |
| US business selling to EU | ❌ No (unless operating in Georgia) | ✅ Yes |
🚀 Test Your Website for Georgia & EAA Compliance
Free multi-law compliance checker — scan your website against both standards.
Free Multi-Law Scan →No signup. 60 seconds. WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
How to Prepare for Both Laws
If your organization is subject to both the Georgia law and the EAA, the good news is that you only need to comply with one technical standard: WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Steps to prepare:
- Audit your website against WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards
- Fix critical violations — alt text, color contrast, keyboard accessibility
- Test with screen readers and keyboard-only navigation
- Document everything — keep records of scans and fixes
- Publish an accessibility statement on your website
Frequently Asked Questions — Georgia Law vs EAA
🔍 Check Your Multi-Law Compliance Today
Free multi-law compliance checker — no signup required.
Free Multi-Law Scan →
💬 Comments (0)