The European Accessibility Act (EAA) makes digital accessibility mandatory in the European Union. Accessible products and accessible websites are no longer an optional extra – they are a normative and economic imperative. Companies that invest in accessible products, services, and websites strengthen their market position and create added value for society.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a key instrument of the European Union and establishes accessibility requirements for digital content across the EU. The European Accessibility Act ensures accessible products and services for all customers with disabilities across the EU in a structured, binding, and enforceable manner.
In this article, we take a closer look at the framework and key content of the European Accessibility Act.
What Is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
The European Accessibility Act is an EU directive that was adopted in 2019. It sets out Europe-wide binding accessibility requirements for certain products and services in all EU member states.
As part of the EU strategy to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Accessibility Act requires public and private providers to make products and services accessible. The aim is to establish uniform accessibility standards that were previously fragmented by individual national laws.
The legal basis is provided by Directive (EU) 2019/882, which must be fully implemented in all EU countries by June 28, 2025.
The EU EAA Directive serves as a minimum standard. National laws and regulations may define more far-reaching compliance requirements, but they must not fall short of the technical standards. This leads to partial harmonization of the requirements of individual EU member states while preserving national leeway.
The individual regulation for Germany is the Barrier-Free Access Act (BFSG). In France, accessibility is regulated by Law No. 2005-102 (Disability, Rights and Equality) on the one hand, and by the RGAA, a reference framework for compliance, on the other.
Although practical implementation poses technical, legal, and organizational challenges for many companies, it also offers enormous potential for innovation and lays the foundation for inclusion for all people.
What Are the Benefits of EAA Compliance for Companies?
The standardization of accessibility requirements for accessibility in Europe and the accessibility features bring many strategic benefits for companies:
Cost savings through uniform product standards in the EU
EU market access and easier cross-border trade
Competitive advantages through innovation in the field of inclusive technologies
New customer acquisition, especially among older people and people with disabilities
Enhanced reputation through socially responsible behavior
Products and Services Affected by the EU Accessibility Act
For the EAA, the European Commission has identified those products and services that are particularly relevant for people with disabilities. Until now, there have been major differences between EU countries in this regard.
Small businesses with fewer than ten employees and an annual turnover of less than two million euros may be exempted from certain accessibility obligations if the implementation imposes a disproportionate burden on the business.
Scope of Services Covered by the EAA
Computers, operating systems, and mobile apps
ATMs, ticket machines, and check-in machines
Smartphones and telecommunications devices
Equipment for digital television reception
Telecommunications services and emergency call systems
Access to audiovisual media (e.g., smart TVs, streaming, television broadcasts, tv equipment)
Public transport services must provide accessible mode of public transport including ticketing machines (air, bus, rail, water)
Banking services (e.g., online banking, card readers)
E-books, consumer electronics, personal devices
Mobile applications and mobile apps (e-commerce websites, e-commerce platforms ordering and payment systems)
What Does Digital Accessibility in the EU Mean in Practice?
Accessible design and digital accessibility ensure that users receive accessible information clearly and understandably. Companies must make their digital and physical offerings accessible as soon as they fall within the scope of the EAA. This includes, among other things:
Technical adjustments (contrast, usability, keyboard navigation)
Compatibility with assistive devices, support services and assistive technology (screen readers, Braille displays)
Provision of alternative formats and alternative presentations (e.g., subtitles, audio descriptions)
Documentation of accessibility and declaration of conformity
The implementation of the EAA requires specific technical, organizational, and documentary measures. Companies must demonstrate that their products and services meet the EAA requirements and has accessibility features. Companies must meet technical and administrative provisions for accessibility compliance. This includes test reports, declarations of conformity, and technical documentation.
Achieving EAA Compliance or accessibility compliance is not only a legal requirement, but also reduces the risk of costly retrofits. Early integration of accessibility into the development process (accessibility by design) minimizes the need for subsequent adjustments.
These are core EAA requirements for accessible digital content. The EAA requirements for digital products are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the guidelines for digital accessibility. With defined criteria, the WCAG provide guidance for the efficient design of accessible web content.
What Is the Deadline For Implementing the Accessibility Act?
The deadline for mandatory application of the European Accessibility Act is June 28, 2025. By then, all new products and services falling within its scope must comply with these accessibility requirements.
Products and online services that were already in circulation before this date may have longer transition periods. Newly marketed products should be launched es EAA conformant. However, early adaptation of accessibility is still recommended.
Minimum Technical Requirements for EAA Compliance
The directive does not specify design requirements for EAA compliance in the traditional sense, but refers in EAA Annex I to general accessibility requirements for all of the above-mentioned products and services.
Examples of requirements and obligations are
Information presented in more than one sensory channel and in an understandable manner
Instructions in a font with an appropriate font size and suitable font type, as well as sufficient contrast (color contrast)
User interfaces and their operation, information, control, and orientation, with provision of alternatives to visual, auditory, spoken, and tactile elements
Accessibility Act Implementation: Accessible CAPTCHAs
The Accessibility Act also specifies accessibility requirements that are particularly important in relation to interactive web content or online shops. These include, for example, registrations, forms, logins, or checkouts on websites, mobile apps, or other digital services.
Many website operators use CAPTCHAs (Completely Automated Public Turing tests to tell Computers and Humans Apart) at these points to protect themselves from automated bot attacks. Protective mechanisms such as CAPTCHAs must also be designed to be accessible so that they are equally accessible to all people, both visually and technically.
When it comes to accessible CAPTCHAs, Friendly Captcha is the best provider. It offers cyber security with a fully accessible CAPTCHA that requires no manual interaction on the part of consumers.
With the Friendly Captcha WCAG Checker, companies can test their website and, above all, their CAPTCHA for accessibility. Following the test, specific recommendations for action are provided to improve digital accessibility.
What Penalties and Sanctions Can Be Imposed for Non-Compliance with the EAA?
Non-compliance with the European Accessibility Act (EAA) can result in penalties and sanctions. Companies that do not meet the requirements of the EAA may be subject to fines and other sanctions. Compliance will be enforced through market surveillance by national authorities.
These penalties and sanctions are intended to motivate companies to improve the accessibility of their products and services.
Conclusion: Implement the European Accessibility Act, Strengthen Inclusion
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an important step toward promoting accessibility in Europe; it changes the rules of the game in the European single market.
The EAA not only forces companies to comply with minimum legal and technical standards, but also creates structural incentives for sustainable change.
Companies that focus on accessibility and inclusion early on not only ensure legal certainty, but also tap into new target groups, strengthen their brand, and contribute to greater inclusion in society. Companies can also invest in support and training services for internal teams to ensure accessibility.
Would you like to check whether your website or web application already fulfills EAA compliance with all accessibility requirements? Start your EAA-compliant implementation today and check your website with the WCAG Checker from Friendly Captcha. The WCAG Checker enables a free check for digital accessibility and provides specific recommendations for improvement.
FAQ
The European Accessibility Act or EAA is a European directive that sets binding requirements for the accessibility of certain products and services. The EU CAPTCHA service, Friendly Captcha, helps websites comply with the European Accessibility Act and protects them from bot attacks.
The directive EAA must be implemented in all EU countries and EU member states by June 28, 2025. The individual member states have each adopted their own implementations and legal acts to strengthen accessibility and barrier-free access for all people. Friendly Captcha complies with the European Accessibility Act and safeguards websites from bot attacks.
The WCAG Checker from Friendly Captcha helps to automatically identify barriers on websites and provides specific recommendations for action.
Yes, Friendly Captcha is an EAA-compliant CAPTCHA. Thanks to invisible background checks, the accessible Friendly Captcha requires no manual interaction from the user. Friendly Captcha is WCAG-compliant and therefore EAA-compliant. The accessible CAPTCHA also complies with all international data protection laws such as the GDPR and CCPA.
The EAA is implemented in Germany by the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (Accessibility Enhancement Act). It contains specific measures and requirements based on the WCAG standards.
With cybersecurity threats on the rise, organizations need to protect all areas of their business. This includes defending their websites and web applications from bots, spam, and abuse. In particular, web interactions such as logins, registrations, and online forms are increasingly under attack.
To secure web interactions in a user-friendly, fully accessible and privacy compliant way, Friendly Captcha offers a secure and invisible alternative to traditional captchas. It is used successfully by large corporations, governments and startups worldwide.
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