European Accessibility Act

The EAA introduces accessibility requirements for digital products and services on the EU market. In force from June 2025.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA, Directive 2019/882/EU) entered into force in EU member states' national legislation on 28 June 2025. It introduces accessibility requirements for a broad range of digital products and services sold on the EU market. Criterio helps you understand where your product stands against those requirements — and gives you the evidence needed for the mandatory accessibility statement.

What's included in the audit

  • Mapping of your product against EAA scope
  • Review against WCAG 2.1 AA (the basis for EAA conformance)
  • Automated and manual testing of digital interfaces
  • Deviation findings with references to the relevant requirements
  • Support for drafting the accessibility statement
  • PDF report with classified findings

EAA requirements apply to new contracts from 28 June 2025. Micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees and under €2M turnover) are exempt. Consult your legal advisor regarding specific obligations.

How the EAA came about

  • 2010 The EU ratifies the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) — the philosophical foundation for the EAA.
  • 2015 The European Commission formally proposes the European Accessibility Act.
  • 2019 Directive 2019/882/EU is adopted. For the first time, accessibility requirements apply to the private sector across the EU single market.
  • 2022 Member states are required to transpose the directive into national law. Sweden does so through Lag (2023:254) om tillgänglighetskrav på produkter och tjänster (LTPT).
  • 2025 28 June — new products and services must comply. The countdown is over.

Did you know?

  • An estimated 87 million people in the EU live with a disability — the EAA was designed with that number in mind
  • The EAA covers far more than websites: banking services, e-commerce, ticketing machines, smartphones, e-readers, and transport services are all included
  • The EAA is separate from the Web Accessibility Directive (2016/2102/EU) which covers only the public sector — the EAA extends the same logic to the private sector
  • Micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees and under €2M turnover) are fully exempt from EAA requirements
  • The technical basis for EAA compliance is WCAG 2.1 AA via EN 301 549 — the same standard that has long applied to public-sector websites
  • Non-compliance can result in forced market withdrawal and fines at member-state level

Does your product meet EAA requirements?

Start with a free scope assessment. No commitment required.

Request a free assessment