Accessibility & the European Accessibility Act 2025: What Your Business Needs to Know
The European Accessibility Act (EAA, Directive 2019/882) has been in force since 28 June 2025. Websites and online shops must be accessible to everyone - including the 87 million people with disabilities across the EU. Who is affected, what to do, and what penalties apply.
What is the European Accessibility Act and why does it exist?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) implements EU Directive 2019/882 across all member states. The EU has created a unified framework: products and services offered to consumers must be accessible to people with disabilities.
This includes websites and online shops. The goal is straightforward: anyone who wants to buy, book, or find information online should be able to do so regardless of a visual, hearing, or motor impairment. Since 28 June 2025, the EAA is enforceable law - violations can result in penalties.
For businesses, this means accessibility is no longer voluntary - it is an obligation. Comparable to the GDPR for data protection - if you don't know the rules, you risk fines.
Does the EAA affect my business? A quick guide by organisation type
The EAA applies to economic operators that place products or services on the market for consumers. Whether you are affected depends less on your legal form and more on what you do.
| Organisation type | EAA obligation? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Company with online shop | Yes | E-commerce is a consumer service. Full EAA obligation applies. |
| Company with B2B-only website | No (formally) | The EAA covers only consumer services. Purely business portals are exempt - though accessibility remains advisable. |
| Charity / Non-profit | Usually no | Non-profit organisations are generally not covered. However, funders increasingly require accessibility, and charities with commercial offerings (tickets, shop) may be affected. |
| Micro-enterprise (< 10 staff, < EUR 2m) | Exemption possible | Micro-enterprises with fewer than 10 employees and under EUR 2 million annual turnover are exempt for services under the EAA. |
| Association / Membership body | It depends | Non-commercial associations are usually not covered. But if the body offers paid online services, the EAA applies. |
| Public body / Government | Yes (under EN 301 549) | Public bodies do not fall under the EAA but under EN 301 549 and national transpositions - with similar requirements, already mandatory since 2019. |
The micro-enterprise exemption: when does it apply?
The EAA provides an exemption for micro-enterprises: businesses with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet total under EUR 2 million are exempt from the service obligations.
But note: this exemption applies only to services, not to products. A micro-enterprise selling physical products (e.g. running an electronics online shop) is still bound by the EAA product requirements.
Beyond legal obligations, accessibility often makes good business sense. A website that is hard to use loses customers - not just those with disabilities. Clear structure, good contrast, and readable typography help all visitors.
What does "accessible website" actually mean?
Accessibility sounds abstract - but it is very practical. It means that all people can use your website. Three simple examples:
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1.
A blind person uses a screen reader - software that reads screen content aloud. If your images lack alt text, the person hears only "image, image, image" - and understands nothing.
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2.
A person with low vision needs good contrast. Light grey text on a white background is barely readable for millions of people with visual impairments. WCAG requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1.
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3.
A person with a motor impairment cannot use a mouse. If your website only works via mouse clicks, it is locked for this person. Everything must also be reachable via keyboard.
Good accessibility also improves search engine optimisation: alt text, clear headings, and clean code help Google just as much as they help a screen reader.
WCAG 2.2 AA: The four principles in plain language
The WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is the international standard for web accessibility. The EAA requires compliance with level AA. WCAG is built on four core principles:
Perceivable
Content must be available to all senses. Images need descriptions, videos need captions. Contrast must be sufficient. Anyone who cannot see must be able to hear or feel the content.
Operable
All functions must be reachable via keyboard - not just via mouse. Navigation must be logical. Users need enough time to read and interact. No flashing content that could trigger seizures.
Understandable
Text must be readable. Forms need clear labels. Error messages must explain what went wrong. The website must not behave unexpectedly (e.g. opening new windows without warning).
Robust
Code must be clean so that different browsers and assistive technologies (screen readers, braille displays, voice control) can interpret the content correctly. Standards-compliant HTML is the foundation.
Accessibility statement: what must it include?
The EAA requires a publicly available accessibility statement on your website. This statement is comparable to a privacy policy - it informs visitors about the current state of accessibility. Required information includes:
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Which parts of the website are accessible and which are not
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Justification for any remaining limitations
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Contact option for feedback (email, phone, or form)
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Reference to the responsible market surveillance authority
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Date of last review
The statement should be easy to find - ideally linked in the footer, similar to the imprint and privacy policy.
Why accessibility pays off even without a legal obligation
Even if your organisation is not formally covered by the EAA, there are strong reasons for an accessible website:
Greater reach
87 million people in the EU live with a disability. Millions more are older adults with declining vision or dexterity. Accessible websites reach more people.
Better SEO
Google ranks accessible websites higher. Alt text, clean heading structures, and fast load times are both accessibility and SEO factors.
Funder requirements
Many public funding programmes and foundations require accessible communication. Organisations seeking grants or public contracts are increasingly asked about accessibility.
Reputation and trust
Accessibility demonstrates social responsibility. For charities, NGOs, and companies with ESG goals, it is a genuine argument with stakeholders and the public.
Penalties up to EUR 100,000 - what are the risks?
Under the EAA, member states must establish effective, proportionate, and dissuasive penalties. In Germany, fines of up to EUR 100,000 apply. National market surveillance authorities enforce the rules. Sanctions can be imposed for:
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Missing or inadequate accessibility for EAA-covered services
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Missing accessibility statement on the website
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Non-compliance with orders from the market surveillance authority
In addition, consumer protection organisations can file injunctions. The risk is not limited to fines - cease-and-desist letters and negative publicity are also possible. As with website security compliance, prevention is cheaper than remediation.
Accessibility check: 30 minutes, free of charge.
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Last updated: March 2026
Frequently asked questions about the EAA and accessibility
Does the European Accessibility Act apply to charities?
The EAA targets economic operators placing products and services on the market for consumers. Non-profit charities are generally not directly affected. However, if a charity offers commercial services (e.g. paid events, an online shop), parts of the EAA may apply. Regardless, many funders increasingly expect accessible websites.
How much does it cost to make a website accessible?
That depends on the current state. Small adjustments (contrast, alt text, keyboard navigation) often take only a few hours. A comprehensive overhaul of a larger website may take several days. Gosign offers a free initial check that estimates the specific effort required.
What is the difference between the EAA and existing public-sector requirements?
The European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882) targets the private sector. Existing legislation such as EN 301 549 and national rules (e.g. BITV in Germany, the Equality Act in the UK) already cover public bodies. Both require WCAG 2.1 AA as a minimum standard.
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