The European Accessibility Act (EAA), 2025.
The European Accessibility Act is an EU law that, from 28 June 2025, requires e-commerce and key digital services to be accessible to people with disabilities. Crucially, it reaches businesses outside the EU — if you sell to consumers in the EU, it can apply to you, wherever you are based.
Applies from 28 June 2025; standard is EN 301 549 (built on WCAG 2.1 AA). New services comply from June 2025, most existing services by June 2030. See the EAA guidance.
Whether you’re in scope.
It is broader than many UK and US businesses realise.
- E-commerce — online shops selling to EU consumers.
- Key services — banking, transport ticketing, telecoms, audiovisual media and more.
- Non-EU businesses — it applies by where the customer is, not where you are. A UK or US shop selling into the EU is covered.
- Micro-business relief — the smallest service providers have some exemptions; check your position.
EN 301 549, built on WCAG 2.1 AA.
The EAA doesn’t reinvent the wheel. Its technical standard, EN 301 549, is built on WCAG 2.1 Level AA — the same benchmark behind the ADA and UK rules. So the work to comply is the same work: meet WCAG 2.1 AA in the build, then keep it there.
June 2025, and June 2030.
Enforcement began on 28 June 2025. New products and services were expected to comply from that date; most existing services have until June 2030. Non-compliance can mean fines and, in some cases, being barred from the EU market — so for anyone trading into the EU, it is not optional.
Common questions.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
An EU law requiring e-commerce and key digital services to be accessible to people with disabilities. It applies from 28 June 2025 and uses EN 301 549, built on WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
Does the EAA apply to UK or US businesses?
It can. The EAA applies based on where the customer is, not where the business is. If you sell products or services to consumers in the EU, it can apply to you regardless of where you are based.
When does the European Accessibility Act apply from?
From 28 June 2025. New products and services were expected to comply from that date; most existing services have until June 2030.
What standard does the EAA require?
EN 301 549, the EU’s harmonised accessibility standard, which is built on WCAG 2.1 Level AA — the same benchmark used by the ADA and UK rules.
What happens if I don’t comply with the EAA?
Enforcement is handled by EU member states and can include fines and, in some cases, removal of a product or service from the EU market.
Are small businesses exempt from the EAA?
There is some relief for the smallest microenterprises providing services, but it is limited and depends on your situation. Selling to the EU at any real scale generally brings you into scope.
Keep reading
Related questions
Selling into the EU? Find out where your site stands.
The free Diagnostic gives you a first read on your site against WCAG 2.1 AA — the standard behind the EAA. No email gate.