Here are the five key content exceptions under the European Accessibility Act (EAA):
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| (a) | Pre-recorded time-based media published before 28 June 2025 |
| (b) | Office file formats published before 28 June 2025 |
| (c) | Online maps and mapping services, if essential information is provided in an accessible digital manner for maps intended for navigational use |
| (d) | Third-party content that is neither funded, developed by, or under the control of, the economic operator concerned |
| (e) | Content of websites and mobile applications qualifying as archives, meaning that they only contain content that is not updated or edited after 28 June 2025 |
Pre-recorded time-based media published before 28 June 2025
This exemption covers substantial amounts of existing multimedia content. Here are examples:
- Corporate training videos from 2020 that lack captions
- Podcast archives on Spotify dating back to 2018
- Historical news broadcasts on BBC iPlayer from previous years
- Educational webinars stored on university platforms
- Marketing videos on company YouTube channels created before the deadline
Office file formats published before 28 June 2025
Organizations aren’t required to retrofit existing documents:
- Annual reports in PDF format from 2023 and earlier
- Historical financial statements lacking proper heading structure
- Research papers published in academic databases
- Government policy documents from previous administrations
- Internal company presentations stored in shared drives
Third-party content that is neither funded, developed by, or under the control of, the economic operator concerned
Here are examples of content platform operators are not responsible for:
- User reviews on Amazon product pages
- Comments on news articles
- Social media posts shared on Facebook or Twitter
- User-uploaded photos on Instagram without alt text
- Forum discussions on Reddit
- Customer testimonials on business websites
Content of websites and mobile applications qualifying as archives
Digital preservation gets special protection:
- Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine historical snapshots
- Museum collections displaying vintage web designs
- Academic research databases preserving original formatting
- Historical newspaper archives maintaining period typography
- Digital art exhibitions showcasing obsolete web technologies
Online maps and mapping services
Geographic services receive practical accommodations when essential navigation information is provided accessibly through alternative means like voice guidance or text directions.
These exclusions balance accessibility advancement with implementation reality, ensuring the future prioritizes inclusion while respecting practical constraints.
Key Takeway
There’s enough compliance work you need to take care of so it’s very important you’re aware of these content exclusions. We always recommend organizing your efforts by taking inventory of your digital assets. With these exclusions, you can immediately sharpen your inventory list.
If you need help with EAA compliance, we’re happy to help. Feel free to leave a message and we’ll be right back with you.
