The European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882) became enforceable on June 28, 2025. Many member states delayed real enforcement until 2026 — meaning fines and audits are accelerating now. If your website sells to EU consumers, EAA applies to you, even if you're not based in Europe.
Who must comply
The EAA applies to nearly every consumer-facing digital business operating in the EU.
- E-commerce sites (any size, including Shopify, Webflow, custom)
- Banking, payments, and fintech apps
- E-readers and digital publications
- Transport ticketing and travel sites
- B2B SaaS sold to EU consumers
EAA June 2026 compliance deadline checklist
Most member states issued an 18-month grace period after enforcement began. That window closes mid-2026.
- Conform to EN 301 549 v3.2.1 (which embeds WCAG 2.1 AA)
- Publish an accessibility statement on every domain
- Maintain a feedback mechanism for users with disabilities
- Keep audit documentation for 5 years
- Designate an internal accessibility officer for orgs >10 employees
How AxessGuard makes you EAA-compliant
Our Path to Compliance PDF is mapped clause-by-clause to EAA Annex I and EN 301 549. It's the same documentation EU market surveillance authorities ask for.
FAQ
I'm based in the US — does EAA apply?
Yes, if you sell or market to EU consumers. Geo-blocking EU traffic is one (uncomfortable) workaround.
What are EAA fines?
They vary by country. Germany: up to €100k. France: up to €250k for systemic non-compliance. Spain & Italy: 5-figure base fines per violation.