The technical core: EN 301 549 → WCAG 2.1 AA
The European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) doesn't write its own accessibility checklist. Instead it points to EN 301 549, the European harmonised standard for ICT accessibility. For websites, web apps and digital services, EN 301 549 incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA almost in full. In practice, if your site meets WCAG 2.1 AA, you've met the technical bar the EAA is built on.
WCAG 2.1 AA covers four principles — content must be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust — and translates into concrete requirements: meaningful alt text on images, captions on video, full keyboard operability, visible focus states, sufficient color contrast, clear form labels and error messages, and predictable navigation. Our free scan below checks your live page against this exact standard using two independent automated engines (axe-core and IBM Equal Access) plus an AI review layer for the judgment calls rules alone can't make.
Extraterritorial reach — this isn't just an EU-company problem
The EAA follows the same logic as GDPR: it's triggered by where your customers are, not where your company is incorporated. A US e-commerce store shipping to Germany, or a Canadian SaaS company billing French subscribers, is covered if it sells products or services to EU consumers and doesn't qualify for the micro-enterprise exemption below.
Covered digital services broadly include e-commerce, online banking, electronic communications (messaging, VoIP), passenger transport booking, e-books and reading software, and streaming/audiovisual media services. If your business falls into one of these categories and has EU customers, the EAA is very likely relevant to you — regardless of your headquarters address.
Already in force — grace periods are narrowing
In force for new content
New products and services placed on the market after this date must conform now.
Grace period, in places
Some existing services and self-service terminals already in use before June 2025 have transition provisions running to 2030 in specific member-state cases.
Enforcement ramping up
The Netherlands is expected to move into active enforcement in the second half of 2026; other member states are at varying stages.
Am I exempt? A 2-question calculator
The EAA exempts very small service providers from its requirements for that service — but only if they meet both size criteria at once. Answer honestly; this is a quick screen, not a legal ruling.
Fines vary a lot by country — and enforcement is still ramping up
The EAA is enforced by national market surveillance authorities, not a single EU body, so penalties and enforcement intensity differ by member state. Based on public reporting as of mid-2026:
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | Active enforcement expected to ramp up in H2 2026 |
| Sweden | Fines reported up to roughly €900,000 in public reporting |
| Germany | Penalty framework in place under national transposition law |
| Other member states | Reported fine ranges span from the tens of thousands of euros upward; enforcement maturity varies |
This is a general snapshot from public reporting, not a legal opinion, and enforcement postures are evolving. Confirm specifics with local counsel.
Frequently asked questions
Does the European Accessibility Act apply to my business if I'm outside the EU?
Yes, in most cases. The EAA is triggered by where your customers are, not where your company is registered. If you sell products or services to consumers in EU member states, you're likely covered unless you qualify for the micro-enterprise exemption for services.
What is the EAA micro-enterprise exemption?
Service providers with fewer than 10 employees AND annual turnover or balance sheet total under 2 million euros are exempt from EAA requirements for that service. Both conditions must be true at once, and the exemption does not apply to manufacturers or sellers of covered products.
What technical standard does the EAA require for websites?
The EAA references EN 301 549, the European harmonised standard for ICT accessibility, which for web content incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Meeting WCAG 2.1 AA is the practical benchmark for EAA digital compliance.
When does the EAA take effect and is there a grace period?
The EAA has been in force for new products and services since 28 June 2025. Some existing services and self-service terminals already in use before that date have a transition period, with certain grace provisions running to 2030 in specific cases. New content and services should conform now.
Will a free scan tell me if I'm fully EAA compliant?
No automated scan can tell you that, and no honest tool should claim it. Our free scan finds real WCAG 2.1 AA violations using two engines plus AI review, which is the technical core of EAA conformance — but full conformance also requires manual review of criteria automation can't judge, and is not a legal determination. This is not legal advice.
What happens if my site fails the EAA?
Enforcement is handled by national market surveillance authorities in each EU member state, and penalties vary by country — reported fines have ranged from the tens of thousands of euros up to roughly 900,000 euros in Sweden. Enforcement activity is still ramping up in several countries, with the Netherlands expected to become more active in the second half of 2026.
See where your site stands against the EAA
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