European Accessibility Act (EAA) Resource Center

The Web Accessibility Directive applies only to public sector organizations. The EAA applies to any organization that provides the products and services covered in the Act, including public and private sector organizations.

The Web Accessibility Directive applies only to websites and apps. The EAA also covers specified hardware products and software applications.

The EAA does not reference a specific technical standard for conformance, though as noted above, meeting EN 301549 should help to show conformance with EAA. The Web Accessibility Directive calls out WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

The EAA applies to all 27 countries in the European Union. International organizations that do business in the EU must also comply with the regulations.

Organizations that employ less than ten people and have an annual turnover of less than two million euros are exempt from the EAA.

Specific products and services could also receive an exemption if an organization can provide evidence that meeting EAA requirements creates an “undue burden” or changes their nature too dramatically (“fundamental alteration”).

• Additionally, the EAA includes exemptions for specific types of content such as:
• Pre-recorded time-based media published before June 2025.
• Office file formats published before June 2025.
• Online maps, if essential information is otherwise provided in an accessible way.
• Third-party content that is not funded, developed, or under the control of the organization that must be compliant.
• Archive content that won’t be updated after June 2025.

Installing an accessibility overlay on your website is unlikely to help you meet the requirements under the EAA.

Learn more about accessibility overlays and why they fall short in this.

Yes, the European Accessibility Act covers self-service devices including payment terminals and most interactive self-service terminals, including automated teller machines (ATMs), kiosks that issue tickets, check-in machines, and interactive information screens.

The EAA includes requirements for the accessibility of kiosk hardware and software user interfaces. Covered kiosks and self-service terminals installed in EU member states after the deadline of June 28, 2025, must meet the EAA requirements. However, kiosks already in use that do not meet requirements may continue in service for a maximum of 20 years after this deadline.

Download our EAA Self-Service Kiosk Compliance Fact Sheet.