WCAG Compliance CheckThe European Accessibility Act and your website
Directive (EU) 2019/882, the European Accessibility Act (EAA), sets accessibility requirements for a list of products and services sold in the EU (Directive (EU) 2019/882, the European Accessibility Act). EU countries have applied it since 28 June 2025.
Which services it covers
- E-commerce services: selling products or services to consumers online.
- Consumer banking services.
- Electronic communications, e-books, and services giving access to audiovisual media.
- Elements of passenger transport services, such as websites, apps and ticketing.
Who is exempt
Microenterprises that provide services are exempt from the service requirements: businesses with fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover or balance sheet of no more than €2 million. Other businesses can claim a disproportionate burden or fundamental alteration only with an assessment they document.
Businesses outside the EU
The act is about the EU market, not where a business is based. A US company selling to consumers in the EU through a website or app may be covered. Check with counsel in the countries where you sell.
The WCAG link
The directive sets functional requirements, not WCAG directly. Meeting the harmonised European standard EN 301 549, whose web requirements follow WCAG 2.1 Level AA, gives a presumption of conformity. Testing to WCAG 2.2 AA covers WCAG 2.1 AA.