Everything you need to know about the European Accessibility Act

In short:

• It’s about equal access to technology.
  
• It makes accessibility a legal obligation, not just a nice-to-have. Companies will need to embed accessibility into their development process from the start.
• It covers both digital content and consumer-facing devices.

In Belgium, the EAA was transposed into law in June 2022 and will be enforced by the FPS Economy.

Does the European Accessibility Act apply to you?

The EAA applies to companies that offer consumer-facing digital products or services, including:

• E-commerce websites & apps
• Banking & payment services (including ATMs)
• Transport booking systems & ticket machines
• Telecom, media and emergency communication tools
• E-books & e-readers
• Smartphones, computers and operating systems

Good to know

👉 Micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees and less than €2 million turnover) are temporarily exempt from service obligations until 2030 — but product requirements still apply.

👉 This isn’t just about making software accessible. The entire product experience must work for people with disabilities.

What do you need to do to comply with the European Accessibility Act?

Depending on the services or products you offer, your business will need to meet specific accessibility requirements. Here are some examples of what this means for different industries.

Why compliance matters

Not meeting the EAA requirements can have serious consequences, including:

• Fines of up to €200,000 per infringement
• Removal of non-compliant products from the market
• Legal complaints and reputational damage
• Missed business opportunities — especially with public contracts

But it’s not just about avoiding penalties. By making your products and services accessible, you can unlock new markets, build stronger customer trust, and create a real competitive advantage.

Accessibility isn’t just a legal obligation — it’s smart business.

How AE helps you get EAA Ready?

At AE, we combine deep UX expertise with hands-on experience in digital transformation and compliance to support your journey toward EAA readiness.

We start by assessing your current accessibility maturity and guide you step by step toward full compliance by 2025. Our services include:

• Accessibility audits based on WCAG 2.1 AA standards. We go beyond checklists, evaluating your site through the POUR principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable and Robust.
  
• Inclusive design workshops that raise awareness and build accessibility skills within your teams.
  
• Code-level remediation plans covering semantic HTML, ARIA labeling, alt text, logical heading structures, and keyboard-friendly markup.
  
• Hands-on training for screen reader testing and best practices using tools like VoiceOver, NVDA, and TalkBack, with focus on structure, landmarks, links, buttons, and forms.
• Ongoing coaching to help your organisation grow its accessibility maturity, turning compliance into a long-term strength.

Your checklist for success

• Identify which of your products and services fall under the EAA
• Audit your website, apps, and digital tools for accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA)
• Upgrade devices, software, and customer documents where needed
• Train your teams on accessibility standards and inclusive design
• Publish an accessibility statement
• Set up a clear feedback channel for accessibility issues
• Keep technical documentation to demonstrate compliance

Closing thoughts

The European Accessibility Act is about more than ticking boxes — it’s about creating a digital world that’s accessible to everyone. Companies that take action now won’t just stay ahead of regulations. They’ll build better, more user-friendly products, reach a wider audience, and strengthen their reputation.

Getting started today is not just smart — it’s the right thing to do. So let's have a conversation and explore how we can support you in building a more inclusive digital society.