European Accessibility Act (EAA) / EN 301 549

Overview

Directive (EU) 2019/882, also known as the European Accessibility Act (EAA), was adopted on April 17, 2019, and goes into effect on June 28, 2025. It sets out accessibility requirements for a wide range of products and services across the EU to eliminate barriers for individuals with disabilities by harmonizing accessibility requirements across Member States. The Act promotes equal access, eliminates market fragmentation, and facilitates a more inclusive society by enhancing the availability of accessible products and services.

EN 301 549 is the European standard that specifies accessibility requirements for ICT products and services to support compliance with public procurement regulations.

Regulation Summary

Timeline

April 17, 2019 – EAA adopted by the European Parliament and Council.
June 28, 2025 – Deadline for Member States to apply EAA requirements.
Ongoing – EN 301 549 continues to evolve with updates on ICT accessibility standards.

What Businesses Are Affected

ICT manufacturers and service providers that offer digital products and services.
Retailers and e-commerce platforms that sell goods or services online.
Telecommunications companies providing consumer-facing digital communication tools.
Banking and financial services that offer online transactions and self-service terminals.
Transport service providers with digital booking, ticketing, and information services.
E-book publishers and software providers offering digital reading platforms.

Exemptions

Microenterprises providing services (fewer than 10 employees and annual revenue below €2M).
Certain small-scale transport services (e.g., regional or local services).
Products placed on the market before June 28, 2025.
Web content classified as archived (not updated post-June 28, 2025).

Responsibilities for Businesses

Provide accessible digital products and services by complying with WCAG 2.1 Level AA and EN 301 549.

Support screen readers, keyboard navigation, and alternative input methods.

Offer alternative text for images, captions for videos, and resizable text.

Ensure that digital self-service terminals and e-commerce platforms accommodate assistive technologies.

Include accessible forms with clear labels and error feedback.

Provide mechanisms for users to report accessibility issues.

Specific Responsibilities for Website Owners

Ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA across all websites and applications.

Enable full keyboard navigation and compatibility with assistive technologies, including screen readers and voice recognition.

Use clear, descriptive alternative text for images and videos.

Implement readable layouts with customizable visual settings like text resizing, high contrast, and font adjustments.

Support real-time text (RTT) and total conversation services in digital communications.

Additional Requirements

Standardize accessibility features across services offered in multiple EU Member States.

Provide inclusive customer service options and accessibility training for staff.

Include captions and transcripts for audio and video media.

Offer accessible forms with dynamic error indicators and field instructions.

Maintain issue reporting channels for digital accessibility barriers.
Stay updated with revisions to EN 301 549 and adopt improvements accordingly.

Individual Rights

Right to accessible digital services and content.
Right to file complaints for non-compliance.
Right to accessible banking, transport, and retail services.
Right to equal access to emergency communications and services.

Enforcement

National regulatory bodies enforce compliance within Member States.
Penalties for non-compliance vary by country but include fines and corrective actions.
Public procurement restrictions apply for non-conforming businesses.
Monitoring and reporting requirements for affected businesses.