What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU-wide directive that requires businesses to make their websites and mobile apps accessible. The law came into force on 28 June 2025 and applies to all businesses that offer products or services in EU countries. For UK businesses selling to EU customers, EAA compliance is mandatory.
⚠️ Important: The EAA applies to all businesses that sell products or services to EU customers — regardless of where the business is located. If you sell to EU customers from the UK, you must comply with the EAA.
Who Does the EAA Apply To?
The law applies to all businesses that offer products or services in EU member states. This includes:
- ✅ E-commerce and online retail platforms
- ✅ Banking and financial services
- ✅ Travel and hospitality
- ✅ Healthcare websites
- ✅ Education and learning platforms
- ✅ All public online services
EAA Requirements — What Your Website Needs
The EAA requires compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. This means your website must be:
- Perceivable: All images must have alt text. Contrast between text and background must be at least 4.5:1.
- Operable: All functions must work with a keyboard. Visible focus indicators are mandatory.
- Understandable: Heading structure (H1-H6) must be logical. Forms must have clear labels.
- Robust: The website must work across different browsers and assistive technologies.
📋 EAA Compliance Checklist
- ☐ WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance
- ☐ Publish an accessibility statement
- ☐ Accessible customer service (chat, phone, email)
- ☐ Accessibility feedback mechanism
- ☐ Staff training on accessibility
- ☐ Regular testing and monitoring
Penalties for EAA Non-Compliance
Violating the EAA can lead to significant penalties:
- Fines: Up to €100,000 (depending on the country)
- Lawsuits: Companies can be taken to court
- Reputation damage: Accessibility issues harm brand trust
- Lost customers: Accessible websites reach a larger audience
How Does the Free EAA Checker Work?
Our tool runs an automated WCAG 2.1 Level AA scan and identifies accessibility issues. You'll receive a clear report with:
- ✅ Accessibility score (0-100%)
- ✅ Violations and WCAG criteria
- ✅ Warnings for potential issues
- ✅ Fix recommendations with code examples
- ✅ Downloadable PDF report
EAA vs UK Equality Act — What's the Difference?
Both the EAA and the UK Equality Act 2010 require web accessibility, but there are key differences:
- UK Equality Act: Applies to all UK businesses
- EAA: Applies to businesses selling to EU customers
- Both require WCAG 2.1 Level AA
- Penalties differ between jurisdictions
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the EAA apply to UK businesses?
Yes. If you sell products or services to EU customers, the EAA applies to your UK business — regardless of Brexit.
2. What is the EAA deadline?
The EAA came into force on 28 June 2025. Compliance is already mandatory for all applicable businesses.
3. Is the EAA the same as WCAG?
No. The EAA is a law, WCAG is a technical standard. The EAA requires compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
4. Can I use a free EAA checker?
Yes. AccessiTool's free EAA checker tests your website against WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
5. What are the EAA penalties?
Fines can reach up to €100,000 depending on the member state and the severity of the violation.
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