European Accessibility Act Compliance Checker
The European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882) is now active across all EU member states since June 28, 2025. Use CompliScan to check whether your website meets the EAA's WCAG 2.1 AA requirements.
No signup required. Results in under 60 seconds.
What Is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA), formally Directive (EU) 2019/882, is a landmark EU directive that harmonizes accessibility requirements for products and services across all 27 member states. Enforcement began on June 28, 2025, meaning businesses must comply now — not in the future.
The EAA applies to a broad range of digital services:
- E-commerce: Online shops, marketplaces, and digital storefronts
- Banking and financial services: Online banking, trading platforms, payment services
- Transport services: Booking systems, ticketing, real-time travel information
- Telecommunications: Phone services, messaging platforms, VoIP
- E-books and e-readers: Digital publishing platforms and reading devices
Unlike earlier EU directives that focused only on public sector websites, the EAA extends accessibility obligations to private sector businesses operating in the EU market.
EAA Technical Requirements: WCAG 2.1 AA via EN 301 549
The EAA does not invent its own accessibility standard. Instead, it references the European harmonized standard EN 301 549, which in turn incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the baseline for web content accessibility.
Key technical requirements under the EAA include:
- Perceivable: Text alternatives for images, captions for video, sufficient color contrast (minimum 4.5:1 ratio), and content that adapts to different screen sizes
- Operable: Full keyboard navigation, no time-dependent interactions without user control, and no content that causes seizures
- Understandable: Readable text, predictable navigation, and input assistance for forms including error identification and suggestions
- Robust: Content compatible with current and future assistive technologies, proper semantic HTML, and valid ARIA attributes
Meeting WCAG 2.1 AA is the most reliable path to demonstrating EAA compliance. CompliScan's automated scanner checks against these exact criteria.
Who Must Comply With the EAA?
The EAA applies to economic operators — manufacturers, importers, distributors, and service providers — that place products or offer services in the EU market. This includes businesses based outside the EU that serve EU customers.
Specific sectors and services covered:
- E-commerce websites selling products or services to EU consumers
- Banking websites and apps offering consumer financial services
- Telecom service providers including VoIP and messaging platforms
- Transport booking systems for air, rail, bus, and urban transit
- E-book platforms and digital publishing services
- Self-service terminals such as ATMs, ticketing machines, and check-in kiosks
Microenterprises (fewer than 10 employees and under EUR 2 million turnover) providing services are exempt from the EAA, though they are still encouraged to meet accessibility standards voluntarily.
How CompliScan Checks EAA Compliance
CompliScan runs a free automated scan against WCAG 2.1 AA criteria — the same standard required by the EAA through EN 301 549. In seconds, you get a detailed report of accessibility violations with AI-powered fix suggestions.
How to use CompliScan for EAA compliance:
- Free scan: Enter your URL and get an instant compliance score with identified violations mapped to WCAG success criteria
- AI fix suggestions: Each violation comes with specific code fixes generated by AI, so your development team knows exactly what to change
- Shield plan ($49/mo): Monitor up to 3 sites with weekly scans — catch regressions before enforcement authorities do
- Shield Pro ($149/mo): Daily scans for 10 sites with PDF reports suitable for regulatory documentation
- Agency plan ($299/mo): Cover up to 50 sites with priority scanning and white-label reports
Automated scanning catches 30-40% of WCAG issues. CompliScan provides a clear, actionable starting point — combine automated results with manual testing for comprehensive EAA compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the European Accessibility Act already in effect?
Yes. The EAA (Directive 2019/882) enforcement began on June 28, 2025. All EU member states were required to transpose the directive into national law by that date. Businesses covered by the EAA must comply now — this is not a future requirement.
What standard does the EAA require for websites?
The EAA requires compliance with EN 301 549, the European harmonized accessibility standard. For web content, EN 301 549 incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the technical baseline. Meeting WCAG 2.1 AA is the primary way to demonstrate EAA compliance for your website.
Does the EAA apply to businesses outside the EU?
Yes. The EAA applies to any business that offers covered products or services in the EU market, regardless of where the business is headquartered. If you sell to EU consumers through an e-commerce site, provide online banking to EU customers, or offer transport booking services in EU countries, you must comply.
What are the penalties for EAA non-compliance?
Each EU member state sets its own penalties for EAA non-compliance under their national transposition laws. Penalties must be effective, proportionate, and dissuasive. They can include fines, product withdrawal from the market, service suspension, and orders to make products or services accessible within a specified timeframe.
Are small businesses exempt from the EAA?
Microenterprises providing services (fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover or balance sheet under EUR 2 million) are exempt from the EAA service requirements. However, microenterprises that manufacture, import, or distribute products covered by the EAA must still comply with product accessibility requirements. There is no general SME exemption.
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