Everything you need to know about the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and EN 301 549 standards. Deadlines, requirements, penalties, and free compliance tools for EU businesses.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU directive that harmonizes accessibility requirements across all 27 EU member states. It applies to products and services including websites, mobile apps, e-commerce, banking, transport, e-books, and telecommunications. The EAA is based on the EN 301 549 standard, which incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements with additional specific requirements for different product categories.
Status: ✅ Fully enforced from June 28, 2025 — all covered products and services must be compliant now.
EN 301 549 is the European standard for ICT accessibility that the EAA references. It is aligned with WCAG 2.1 Level AA but includes additional requirements for hardware, software, and services. The current version is v3.2.1 (released in March 2023).
Effective from June 28, 2025, EAA applies to:
| Sector | Requirements | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| E-commerce | Websites selling to EU customers | ✅ Enforced |
| Banking & Finance | Online banking, mobile apps | ✅ Enforced |
| Transport | Airlines, trains, buses, ferries — booking systems | ✅ Enforced |
| Telecom | Communication services | ✅ Enforced |
| E-books | Reading platforms and apps | ✅ Enforced |
| Self-service terminals | ATMs, ticketing machines | ✅ Enforced |
Yes. The EAA applies to any business offering digital products or services to EU consumers — regardless of where the company is located. US, UK, Asian, and other non-EU businesses selling to EU customers must comply.
Each EU member state establishes its own penalties. Fines can range from €5,000 to €100,000+ depending on the country and severity of violation. Some countries have additional enforcement mechanisms:
| Feature | EAA (Europe) | ADA (US) | Section 508 (US Federal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Region | 27 EU Member States | United States | US Federal |
| Scope | Private sector (e-commerce, banking, transport, telecom) | Public accommodations + Government | Federal agencies + contractors |
| Standard | EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1 AA) | WCAG 2.1 AA | WCAG 2.0 AA |
| Status | ✅ Enforced June 28, 2025 | Ongoing enforcement | Ongoing enforcement |
| Max Penalty | €100,000+ | $150,000 | Loss of federal funding |
Use AccessiTool's free EAA compliance checker to scan your website against EN 301 549 standards. Get a detailed report of violations and fixes.
Keep records of scans, fixes, and accessibility statements. This documentation is your defense against EAA enforcement actions.
Run monthly EAA compliance scans to catch new violations from content updates and code changes.
The EAA is an EU directive harmonizing accessibility requirements across all 27 member states for websites, apps, e-commerce, banking, transport, and telecom services. It is based on EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1 AA).
EAA enforcement began June 28, 2025. All covered products and services must comply now. There are no extensions for the EAA deadline.
EAA uses EN 301 549, which is based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA with additional requirements for hardware, software, and services. The current version is EN 301 549 v3.2.1.
Yes. The EAA applies to any business offering digital products or services to EU consumers — regardless of where the company is located. US businesses selling to EU customers must comply.
EAA penalties vary by EU member state. Fines can range from €5,000 to €100,000+. Germany fines up to €500,000, Spain up to €1,000,000, and Italy up to 5% of turnover.
EAA applies to 27 EU member states and covers private sector businesses in specific sectors. ADA applies to the US and covers public accommodations and government entities. Both reference WCAG standards.
Use our free EAA compliance checker to scan your website against EN 301 549 standards. Get a detailed report of violations and fixes in 60 seconds.
This article is for general informational purposes and isn't legal advice. EAA compliance obligations and enforcement can vary by jurisdiction, so consult qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.
Free EAA compliance checker — scan your website against EN 301 549 standards.
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