European Accessibility Laws

What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) requires a wide range of digital products and services within the European Union to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. The act was designed to increase the rights of people with disabilities by providing them with easier access to digital tools and services. 

The EAA represents the evolution of a previous accessibility directive: The Web Accessibility Directive (WAD), which was enacted in 2016. The WAD required public sector organizations (government offices, schools, hospitals, and other public bodies) to make their websites and mobile apps accessible to people with disabilities. 

The EAA complements the WAD, extending the proven accessibility principles to the private sector, creating a comprehensive approach that covers both public and private sectors across the EU. 

What are the Requirements of the EAA?

Unlike U.S. accessibility laws that directly enforce WCAG standards, the EAA incorporates POUR principles, requiring content to be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. However, organizations can use EN 301 549, which aligns with WCAG 2.1 Level AA, as a starting point for making digital content more accessible. 

Who Needs to Comply with the EAA?

The EAA applies to any business that operates within the EU and any organization that sells products or services to EU-based customers, regardless of where the company is based. This means that U.S.-based businesses with customers in the EU are required to comply with the EAA. 

Below are a few examples of organizations that are required to be EAA-compliant:

• E-commerce retailers

• Banking institutions offering online services

• Airlines with EU departures

• Telecommunications providers

• Manufacturers of consumer electronics sold in EU markets

There are a few exemptions to EAA compliance; for example, microenterprises with a small number of employees (fewer than 10) and an annual turnover below €2 million do not need to meet EAA compliance requirements.

Who Enforces the EAA?

Each EU member state handles enforcement through its own national authorities, who conduct regular compliance checks and investigate consumer complaints. When businesses don’t meet accessibility requirements, they must fix the issues or face penalties. 

The EAA requires penalties to be “effective, proportionate, and dissuasive,” but each country sets its own specific consequences. For example, Spain allows for substantial fines for violations, while Ireland has made serious EAA breaches punishable with jail time. 

Consumers can report accessibility problems directly to their national enforcement body, making compliance a shared responsibility between government oversight and user feedback. 

What are the Risks of Non-compliance with the EAA?

As of June 28, 2025, all organizations must meet EAA requirements. Failure to comply can result in financial, legal, and reputational consequences.

From a financial perspective, non-compliance can result in expensive fines, penalties, and demand letters. In severe cases, organizations can face lawsuits or be banned from selling in the EU market altogether, causing them to miss out on the purchasing power of over 135 million people with disabilities across the EU(opens in a new tab). Additionally, companies that delay EAA compliance may face higher costs in the long run, as retrofitting for accessibility can be significantly more expensive than building it in from the start.

From a business perspective, companies can face reputational damage when accessibility issues become public, potentially losing customer trust and market share. Not to mention this can have a serious impact on brand reputation as consumers and advocacy groups are increasingly pushing for more inclusive practices.

What is EN 301 549?

EN 301 549 outlines specific accessibility requirements for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products and services. The act was originally created in 2014 in response to European Commission Mandate 376, which called for accessible ICT standards in public procurement. The standard was initially designed to help government agencies purchase accessible technology, ensuring that public services could be used by everyone, including people with disabilities.

Building on this foundation, EN 301 549 became the technical standard supporting the Web Accessibility Directive in 2018, and now serves as the compliance framework for EAA. 

What are the Requirements for EN 301 549?

EN 301 549 version 3.2.1 incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements in full for web content, while extending beyond WCAG and also covers biometrics. This includes hardware, software, and telecommunications. The standard follows the four POUR principles (perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust).

Who Needs to Comply with EN 301 549?

All public sectors across the EU must comply with EN 301 549 for their websites and mobile applications. Additionally, private businesses that are required to be compliant with the EAA should also follow EN 301 549 to meet accessibility requirements.

Additionally, any company wanting to sell technology products or services to European government agencies must meet EN 301 549 standards, regardless of where the company is located.

What Digital Content Does EN 301 549 Apply to? 

EN 301 549 applies to a wide range of digital content and technologies, including:

• Websites and web applications: Including all web-based platforms and online services.

• Mobile applications: Native apps for smartphones and tablets.

• Electronic documents: PDFs, Word documents, and other downloadable content.

• Non-web software: Desktop applications and installed programs.

• Hardware devices: Smartphones, computers, ATMs, information kiosks, and self-service terminals.

• Telecommunications services: Voice communication systems and messaging platforms.

• Biometric technologies: Facial recognition systems and fingerprint scanners.

• Audiovisual media: Video players and streaming services interfaces.

Who Enforces EN 301 549?

Because EN 301 549 itself is a technical standard, not a law, it’s not directly enforced. Instead, it’s enforced through the European laws that reference, specifically, the Web Accessibility Directive for public sector organizations and the European Accessibility Act for private businesses. 

Similar to the EAA, each EU member state’s national authorities handle enforcement based on how they’ve implemented these laws into their own legal systems. This means enforcement methods and penalties can vary between countries, but all follow the same technical requirements outlined in EN 301 549.

What are the Risks of Non-compliance with EN 301 549?

Failing to meet EN 301 549 face the same business and legal consequences as non-compliance with the EAA. This includes fines, fees, penalties, loss of public sector contracts for suppliers, reputational damage, and exclusion of potential customers. 

For businesses seeking government contracts, non-compliance with EN 301 549 can result in automatic disqualification from public procurement opportunities, resulting in a huge loss of revenue. 

What is the UK Equality Act?

The Equality Act is the United Kingdom’s comprehensive anti-discrimination law that legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in social settings. The law protects against all aspects, from age to disability and explains the different ways in which its unlawful to treat someone based on protected characteristics. 

The Act replaced previous anti-discrimination laws with a single piece of legislation, making the law easier to understand and strengthening protection in many situations. 

What the UK Equality Act Covers

The UK Equality Act protects people from discrimination based on nine protected categories:

• Age

• Disability

• Gender reassignment

• Marriage and civil partnership

• Pregnancy and maternity

• Race, religion, or belief

• Sex and sexual orientation

The Act also covers discrimination in employment, services and public functions, premises, education, associations, and transport. 

Similar to the ADA, the UK Equality Act considers online spaces public, meaning digital service providers must make “reasonable adjustments” for individuals with disabilities. While it does not mandate specific digital accessibility standards, any digital service or content that could create barriers for people with disabilities falls under its scope. This includes websites, mobile applications, digital documents, online services, multimedia content, and electronic communications. 

Who Must Comply with the UK Equality Act?

The Equality Act applies to all service providers operating in the UK, including public institutions like government departments and local councils, private businesses from large corporations to small enterprises across all sectors, nonprofits including charities, and educational entities such as schools, colleges, and universities. 

Both employers and service providers are required to comply with the Act. This means that whether you’re selling products online, providing government services, or operating internal systems for employees, you must ensure equal access for people with disabilities. 

The Act applies regardless of company size, though the concept of “reasonable adjustment” considers things like cost and practicality for different organizations. 

What are the Requirements of the UK Equality Act?

The Equality Act doesn’t specify technical standards for compliance, but rather prohibits discrimination against individuals under the categories mentioned above. The Act does require organizations or service providers to provide “reasonable adjustments” to ensure individuals have equal access in all areas of public life, including online spaces.

Who Enforces the Equality Act?

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) enforces the Equality Act in England, Scotland, and Wales, while the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland handles enforcement in Northern Ireland. Unlike some accessibility laws that impose automatic fines, enforcement focuses on discrimination claims brought by individuals who experience barriers.

What are the Risks of Non-compliance with the Equality Act?

Failing to comply with the UK Equality Act can result in legal action, including discrimination suits. When successful, discrimination claims can result in financial compensation (some can reach up to £5,000). Organizations may also face legal costs, mandatory remediation requirements, and reputational damage. 

Beyond legal consequences, non-compliance excludes users, which can result in loss of government contracts for public sector suppliers. The combined costs of legal fees, compensation, and accessibility improvements often run into tens of thousands of pounds.