Understanding the European Accessibility Act (EAA): A New Era for Inclusive Products & Services in the EU

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) represents a transformative moment toward ensuring that commonly used products and services are accessible to all, including people with disabilities. From smartphones and office equipment to online banking and e-commerce platforms, many commercial products must factor inclusivity into their core operations under the EAA.  

What is the EAA? 

The EAA is a legislative framework designed to enhance the functionality of the European internal market by promoting accessible products and services. The regulation’s objective is to ensure that businesses – whether manufacturing, distributing, or importing – adhere to accessibility standards for people with disabilities. This means products and services that fail to meet accessibility requirements will be denied access from the EU market until deemed compliant with EAA guidelines.   

The EAA is designed to foster sustainable business and a competitive market by engaging people with disabilities as employees, consumers, and users. Businesses can reduce risk, increase productivity, and tap into new markets in which accessibility expertise is required. 

A Broader Sustainability Framework 

The EAA complements other EU legislation, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Together, these directives create a strong framework to protect and include persons with disabilities while holding companies accountable. 

For companies, the EAA presents a new dimension of risk and opportunity. Starting  June 2025, accessibility compliance will become a regulatory requirement tied to financial penalties, market restrictions, and even director liability. During this time, large companies will also begin reporting under CSRD, increasing the number of companies factoring disability into their corporate strategy and annual reporting processes. 

Key Products and In-scope Services  

The EAA applies to a wide range of products and services, including: 

• Payment terminals 

• Smartphones and tablets  

• Computers and smart speakers 

• E-readers 

• Websites and mobile applications 

• Consumer banking services 

• E-commerce platforms 

Details about Timeline and Scope 

The EAA came into force on April 17, 2019, and officially applies to products placed on the EU market after June 28, 2025. These are the development phases:  

• April 17, 2019: The EAA was published in the Official Journal of the European Union and entered into force. 

• June 28, 2022: Deadline for Member States to transpose the directive into national law. 

• June 28, 2025: All EU Member States are obliged to enact corresponding laws for the enforcement of the directive and to apply them from this date forward. 

A Note on EAA Penalties  

Non-compliant and inaccessible products cannot be imported into or distributed in the single market. Additionally, member States can impose fines and other penalties at their own discretion. Examples include: 

• France: Fine of up to EUR 100,000 that can be increased to up to EU 1,000,000 in cases of recidivism along with restriction of placing or keeping product on the market. 

• Germany: Fine of up to EUR 100,000 plus restriction of placing or keeping product on the market 

• Ireland: Fine of EUR 5,000 or EUR 60,000 depending on the type of breach and up to 18 months of imprisonment. 

• Italy: Fine of between EUR 2,500 and EUR 40,000 in several brackets depending on the type of accessibility requirement that has been breached. 

• Spain:  Fine of up to EUR 1,000,000 plus restriction of placing or keeping product on the market.

Resources 

For more information on the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the European Sustainability Reporting Directive (ESRS), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the European Accessibility Act (EAA), and how the specifical impact people with disabilities, read Disability:IN’s report in partnership with White & Case - Disability Inclusion in the EU: A Legal Analysis to Guide Corporate Responsibilities Under New EU Disability Inclusive Legislation. 

Looking to find out more on how disability has been mentioned in current sustainability reporting throughout the European Union? Read Disability:IN’s analysis of sustainability reporting practices in the European Fortune 500 – On the Verge: Disability and Sustainability Reporting 

Transparency is key to creating an equitable workplace and our partner organization Windō is helping drive this change forward. Check out their Disability Transparency Tiles of 2024, as they evaluated public data from over 600 of the largest U.S. and European companies, focusing on workforce and leadership representation, pay equity, and other indicators of inclusion. 

Author & Research Contributor: Jacob Wilson, Research & Policy Analyst at Disability:IN