With less than a week until 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is set to come into effect. This Act is poised to fundamentally change the technical standards for digital products and services sold in the EU market. Unlike previous accessibility laws, the scope of the EAA extends to all digital products and services in both the public and private sectors, including digital touchpoints such as websites, mobile applications, and e-commerce platforms. The implementation of this Act will create a more fair and inclusive social environment for people with disabilities, enabling them to participate equally in all aspects of social life.

Scope and Exemptions under DIRECTIVE (EU) 2019/882:

1.       The following products placed on the market after 28 June 2025:

a)        Computers and operating systems for consumers;

b)       The following self-service terminals:

                                     i.             Payment terminals;

                                    ii.             Self-service terminals exclusively used to provide services covered  by this Directive:

— Automated teller machines
— Ticketing machines
— Check-in machines
— Interactive self-service terminals providing information

 (excluding terminals installed   as part of vehicles, aircraft, ships, or rail vehicles);

c)        Consumer terminal equipment with interactive computing capability for electronic communications services;

d)       Consumer terminal equipment with interactive computing capability for accessing audiovisual media services;

e)        E-readers

2.       The following services provided to consumers after 28 June 2025:

a)        Electronic communications services (excluding transmission services used for providing machine-to-machine services);

b)       Services providing access to audiovisual media services;

c)        The following elements of air, bus, rail and waterborne passenger transport services (only point (v) applies for urban, suburban and regional transport services):

                                     i.             Websites;

                                    ii.             Mobile device-based services (including mobile applications) ;

                                  iii.             Electronic ticketing and electronic ticketing services;

                                  iv.             Delivery of transport service information (including real-time travel information); for information screens, only interactive screens located within the EU;

                                   v.             Interactive self-service terminals located within the EU (excluding terminals installed as part of vehicles, aircraft, ships and rail vehicles providing such passenger transport services);

d)       Consumer banking services;

e)        E-books and dedicated software;

f)         E-commerce services.

3.        Emergency communication answering the European emergency number ‘112’.

4.       Exempted content on websites and mobile applications:

a)        Pre-recorded time-based media published before 28 June 2025;

b)       Office file formats published before 28 June 2025;

c)        Online maps and map services (provided essential information for maps used for navigation is made available in an accessible digital manner);

d)       Third-party content that is neither funded nor developed nor under the control of the relevant economic operator;

e)        Content of websites and mobile applications qualifying as archives (i.e., that contain only content not updated or edited after 28 June 2025).

5.       This Directive is without prejudice to Directive (EU) 2017/1564 and Regulation (EU) 2017/1563.

Mandatory Application Date

They shall apply those measures from 28 June 2025.

Transitional Periods

1. The accessibility requirements for emergency communication services (such as "112") can be postponed until June 28, 2027.

2. Member States shall provide for a transitional period ending on 28 June 2030 during which service providers may continue to provide their services using products which were lawfully used by them to provide similar services before that date.

Service contracts agreed before 28 June 2025 may continue without alteration until they expire, but no longer than five years from that date.

3.Member States may provide that self-service terminals lawfully used by service providers for the provision of services before 28 June 2025 may continue to be used in the provision of similar services until the end of their economically useful life, but no longer than 20 years after their entry into use.

Applicable Test Standards

EN 301 549 Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services

EAA compliance is not just a legal requirement, but an opportunity to enhance brand competitiveness. BTL helps outstanding products reach the global market every day. With mandatory compliance under the EU Accessibility Act approaching, contact us if needed.