What You Need to Know

What is the EAA?

The European Accessibility Act is an EU directive that requires certain products and services to be accessible to people with disabilities. Each EU member state must transpose this directive into their national legislation, creating binding requirements for companies operating in the EU.

When does the EAA apply to websites and apps?

Your website or app falls under the EAA if it:

1. Contains elements of e-commerce, AND
2. Is directed to consumers

What counts as "e-commerce"?

The EAA defines e-commerce services as:  

"services provided at a distance, through websites and mobile device-based services by electronic means and at the individual request of a consumer with a view to concluding a consumer contract."

Important to understand:

• Free services are also in scope
• The consumer contract doesn't need to be concluded on your website/app
• It's enough if your website/app is just an entry point for consumers to eventually conclude a contract

Examples: What's in scope?

• Consumer webshops
• Websites with links to third-party webshops
• Newsletter sign-up forms
• Career portals and online job applications

Examples: What's out of scope?

• B2B webshops (e.g., those directed only to farmers or healthcare professionals)
• Read-only websites/apps with product information (as long as they don't link to webshops)

What do you need to doo If your website/app is in scope?

1. Technical implementation

Implement accessibility measures according to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.2. We recommend WCAG Level "AA". These guidelines ensure your digital content is:

• Perceivable (information can be presented in different ways)
• Operable (interface components and navigation are usable)
• Understandable (information and operation are easy to comprehend)
• Robust (content can be interpreted by various user agents, including assistive technologies)

2. Duty to inform

You must provide accessibility information on your website or app:

• Download and complete the Accessibility Statement Template available here
• Add this information in a dedicated section called "Information on Accessibility" (place it near your imprint and privacy statement)
• Ensure this information section itself meets the accessibility requirements

Next steps

If you believe your website or app falls under the EAA's scope, contact your digital team to begin implementing the necessary accessibility measures before the compliance deadline.

Remember: Making your digital content accessible isn't just about legal compliance—it's about ensuring all users, including those with disabilities, can access and use your services effectively.