EAA

This is a resource page for the European Accessibility Act (EAA). We have started with a documents section and an outline and will continue to add educational resources to help covered entities with EAA compliance.

Documents

This PDF maps the EAA accessibility requirements found in Annex I to the examples found in Annex II. This makes it easier to identify the example with the corresponding requirement.

Download our EAA Examples to Requirements Mapping (PDF) document.

Chapter I: General Provisions

Article 1: Subject Matter

• Makes products and services accessible across EU markets
• Eliminates barriers between different EU countries’ rules

Article 2: Scope

Products (from June 28, 2025)

• Consumer computers and operating systems
• Self-service terminals:
• Payment terminals
• ATMs
• Ticketing machines
• Check-in machines
• Information terminals
• Consumer communication devices
• TV equipment
• E-readers

Services (from June 28, 2025)

• Electronic communications
• Audiovisual media access
• Transportation related:
• Websites
• Mobile apps
• E-tickets
• Real-time information
• Self-service terminals
• Consumer banking
• E-books
• E-commerce
• Emergency communications (112)

Article 3: Definitions

[Available if needed]

Chapter II: Accessibility Requirements

Article 4: Requirements

• Products and services must meet Annex I requirements
• Countries can include built environment requirements
• Microenterprises providing services are exempt

Chapter III: Obligations of Economic Operators Dealing with Products

Article 7: Manufacturers

• Design and make accessible products
• Create technical documentation
• Keep records 5 years
• Ensure consistent production
• Label products correctly
• Take action if problems found

Article 8: Authorized Representatives

• Can act on manufacturer’s behalf
• Must keep documentation available

Article 9: Importers

• Only import compliant products
• Verify manufacturer compliance
• Keep records 5 years

Article 10: Distributors

• Verify product compliance
• Store and transport properly
• Take action if problems found

Chapter IV: Service Provider Obligations

Article 13: Services

• Design and provide accessible services
• Document compliance
• Maintain compliance over time
• Fix problems when found

Chapter V: Fundamental Alteration and Disproportionate Burden

Article 14: Exceptions

Requirements don’t apply when they would:

1. Fundamentally alter product/service nature
2. Create disproportionate burden

• Must document assessment
• Keep assessment 5 years
• Review every 5 years for services
• Not allowed if receiving external funding for accessibility

Chapter VI: Harmonised Standards

Article 15: Compliance Presumption

• Products/services following EU standards are presumed compliant
• Commission can set technical specifications if needed

Chapter VII: Product Conformity

Article 16-18: CE Marking

• Must create EU declaration of conformity
• CE marking must be visible on product
• Shows manufacturer takes responsibility

Chapter VIII: Product Market Surveillance

Article 19-21: Monitoring

• Countries must check product compliance
• Must investigate complaints
• Must follow up with non-compliant businesses
• EU-wide alert system for problem products

Chapter IX: Service Compliance

Article 23: Service Monitoring

• Countries must create procedures to:
• Check service compliance
• Handle complaints
• Verify corrective actions

Chapter X: Accessibility Requirements in Other EU Acts

Article 24-25

• Requirements become mandatory for public procurement
• Harmonized standards create presumption of compliance

Chapter XI: Final Provisions

Article 26-28: Implementation

• Creates working group
• Sets committee procedures
• Defines delegation of powers

Article 29-30: Enforcement

• Countries must ensure effective enforcement
• Must set penalties for non-compliance

Article 31-32: Timeline

• Countries adopt laws by June 28, 2022
• Applies from June 28, 2025
• Transition period until June 28, 2030
• Self-service terminals can be used up to 20 years

Article 33: Review

• Commission reviews implementation by June 28, 2030
• Reviews every 5 years after
• Assesses impact on businesses and disabled persons

Annex I: Accessibility Requirements

Section I: General Product Requirements

A. Information About Product Use Must Be

1. Available through multiple senses
2. Understandable
3. Clear and perceivable
4. Proper size for foreseeable use
5. Available in text formats

B. User Interface/Features Must

1. Allow communication through multiple senses
2. Provide alternatives to speech
3. Allow flexible magnification/contrast
4. Prevent seizure triggers
5. Allow control through non-fine motor skills
6. Avoid simultaneous controls
7. Provide enough time for actions
8. Work with assistive technologies

C. Support Services Must

• Provide accessibility information in accessible formats

Section II: Specific Product Requirements

A. Self-Service Terminals

• Support text-to-speech
• Allow headphone use
• Provide timing control
• Have reachable controls
• Work with assistive tech

B. E-Readers

• Support text-to-speech
• Keep document structure
• Allow flexible display
• Sync text/audio
• Enable navigation

Section III: Service Requirements

A. General

• Make websites/apps accessible
• Include accessibility in e-documents
• Provide accessible information

B. Specific Services

1. Electronic Communications

• Real-time text
• Accurate voice transmission
• Video communication quality

2. Media Services

• Accessible program guides
• Proper transmission of accessibility features

3. Transport

• Accessible booking/information
• Real-time updates
• Self-service accessible

4. Banking

• Accessible identification
• Clear documents
• Accessible online banking

5. E-books

• Ensure digital file accessibility
• Protect accessibility features

6. E-commerce

• Accessible product info
• Accessible ordering/payment
• Accessible identification

Section IV: Additional Service Features

• Follow web accessibility principles:

1. Perceivable
2. Operable
3. Understandable
4. Robust

Section V: Emergency Communications

• Support multiple communication modes
• Ensure quality transmission
• Allow real-time text
• Enable synchronization

Additional Important Annexes

Annex IV: Conformity Assessment

• Details assessment procedure for products
• Important for manufacturers to prove compliance

Annex VI: Disproportionate Burden

Assessment Criteria

• Cost-benefit ratio
• Organization size/resources
• Estimated costs/benefits
• Product/service usage by disabled persons