The European Accessibility Act

The European Accessibility Act is European Union legislation aimed at improving the accessibility of products and services for people with functional disabilities. The aim is to remove barriers and provide equal opportunities for all, regardless of their disabilities.

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What is the European Accessibility Act?

The European Accessibility Act, or EAA in short, establishes specific requirements for various goods and services to ensure that they are accessible to people with functional disabilities. This includes everything from telecommunications products (such as customer service) to banking services, and from public transportation to e-commerce platforms. The official name for the EAA is: DIRECTIVE (EU) 2019/882 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

The creation of the European Accessibility Act

  1. 2015

    European Commission proposal on the European Accessibility Act 2025.

  2. December 2016

    Entry into force of European directive for accessibility of government websites and apps. Goal: everyone should be able to use these digital products and services. This directive has been transposed into Dutch legislation through a General Measure of Administration: the Temporary Decree on Digital Accessibility Government.

    • WCAG 2.2 audits

      Use our WCAG audits to get a clear picture of how accessible your website, app or PDF document is.

  3. April 17, 2019

    Signature of European Parliament & Council under the European Accessibility Act.

  4. June 2019

    The European Accessibility Act (EAA) has been passed by the European Union.

  5. June 2022

    EU member states must translate and adopt the directive into their national legislation.

  6. June 14, 2023

    Implementation of Directive (EU) 2019/882 is adopted in the second chamber of the States General

  7. June 28, 2025

    The European Accessbility Act 2025 goes into effect.

These are the main concerns of the European Accessibility Act

The origins of the European Accessibility Act are in line with the UN Convention on Disability. 80 million people in Europe have a disability and have the right to use the same products and services as all other Europeans.

The benefits for people

  • Fewer barriers in transportation, education and the open labor market.

  • Accessible products and services.

  • More competition and better prices.

  • Increased demand for accessibility expertise.

Benefits for businesses

  • Larger market for accessible products and services.

  • Cost reduction through standardization.

  • Simpler import and export trade.

Who does the European Accessibility Act apply to in the Netherlands?

With the advent of the European Accessibility Act, digital accessibility becomes crucial for many businesses. If your company offers certain services, you must comply with this act. This includes:

Self-service terminals

Consider NS ticket machines or sign-in kiosks in hospitals and city halls. These terminals should be designed so that anyone, regardless of limitations, can use them.

ATMs and other payment terminals.

This includes automated teller machines (ATMs) that must be accessible to all users in Europe, including people with disabilities.

Computers and operating systems

Both the computers themselves and the operating systems (such as Windows, macOS, or Linux) should be designed to be accessible to all.

Access to audiovisual media services.

If you offer videos, podcasts or other audiovisual content, you need to make sure they are accessible in multiple sensory ways, such as through subtitles or audio descriptors.

Banking services

Think about mortgage applications, using bank cards, online banking or banking apps. All of these services should be accessible to everyone.

E-books and e-readers

Manufacturers and providers of e-readers, such as Kobo, must ensure that these devices are accessible, for example, to people with visual or motor disabilities.

E-commerce services

If you sell products or services through a Web site, you are an e-commerce business in the eyes of the EAA. Therefore, your website must meet the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) success criteria to be accessible.

Passenger Transport and Travel Information

This includes transportation services by land, water, or air, such as train, bus, or airline companies. Real-time travel information, such as in apps like NS or 9292, must also comply with the accessibility requirements of the EAA.

Key insights

The European Accessibility Act touches on chain responsibility. That is, the following parts of the chain are responsible for everything they supply to the ultimate end user:

  • Manufacturers.

  • Importers (CE).

  • Distributors (products).

  • Service providers (services).

The exceptions to the European Accessibility Act

Although the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will impose obligations on many companies and industries starting in 2025, there are a number of important exceptions. These exceptions are categorized as follows:

Company size

Exemption applies to companies with fewer than 10 employees and annual sales of less than 2 million euros.

Business to business (B2B).

The law does not apply to businesses that supply exclusively to other businesses, provided that: - The products or services are not used by consumers. For example, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software used only within businesses.

Fundamental change

Companies are exempt if compliance with the EAA requires a fundamental change, such as a change in the nature of a product or service. Even if this requires the structure of the organization to be changed.

Disproportionate burden

When the effort required to comply with the law is disproportionately large in relation to the target population. Note! This exception is difficult to obtain and requires extensive justification.

Websites and apps

Exceptions apply to certain types of digital content. Such as pre-recorded or time-based media (such as recorded webinars). Office file formats (for example, Word documents or Excel sheets). Online maps. And third-party content (content not created by the company itself).

Building requirements

Accessibility requirements for buildings fall outside the EAA. In the Netherlands, these requirements are regulated by the Building Code.

Roadmap to comply

  1. Plan of action

    Do you know what services you have in the organization that need to comply with the European Accessibility Act? We help create a plan of action to comply with the European Accessibility Act.

  2. Gap Analysis

    What is the current state of affairs? This applies to both physical and digital accessibility. Through a large-scale survey of the current state of affairs, you provide the foundation on which to build toward an accessible organization.

    • WCAG 2.2 audits

      Use our WCAG audits to get a clear picture of how accessible your website, app or PDF document is.

  3. Building knowledge and awareness.

    We want your organization to get started addressing accessibility issues. That's why we train your colleagues so they can take that hit. We also build awareness so that everyone knows why it is important to have accessible services. This is not just because of legislation, but precisely so that everyone can use the digital and physical world.

    • Awareness

      What is digital (in)accessibility and who are you ultimately digitally accessible to?

    • Trainings

      Take one of our accessibility training courses and become a specialist in digital accessibility.

  4. Closing Gap

    Now the battle must be taken from inaccessible services to accessible services. Solutions are implemented in the organization and processes when building new products and services.

    • Cardan Care

      Get additional advice and support during your work on digital accessibility.

  5. Secure

    It is important to have accessible products and services in the future. For that, the implementation within processes is very important so that your organization permanently complies with the European Accessibility Act and is accessible to everyone.

  6. Compliance Statement or Accessibility Statement.

    You show in this statement or statement how you address and secure accessibility in the organization. The statement is called an accessibility statement.

  7. Review

    Together with Cardan, you continue to work on organizational accessibility. Cardan keeps you informed of the latest trends and developments.

Need help with the European Accessibility Act?

Like Carolina, are you ravingly excited by digital accessibility? Or are you at a loss for words? Contact us, and we will be happy to help you on your way.

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Send me the latest updates on digital accessibility.
Carolina van Setten, Brand Manager Cardan