The EAA (European Accessibility Act) is EU Directive 2019/882, which sets accessibility requirements for products and services. It covers services such as e-commerce, banking, e-books and the digital interfaces of transport, and has applied since June 2025 through the national laws of the member states. Companies outside the EU that serve EU consumers can also fall within its scope.
The EAA is EU Directive 2019/882 and harmonizes accessibility requirements for certain products and services across all member states. Its scope includes e-commerce services, banking services, e-books, electronic communications services and the digital interfaces of passenger transport. The directive is not applied directly but through the national laws of the member states; in Germany, for example, that law is the BFSG (Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz). Application began in June 2025. An important feature is its cross-border effect: a company not established in the EU can fall within scope if it offers online services to EU consumers, which makes this a concrete obligation for e-commerce sites selling into the EU market.
The technical requirements rest in practice on WCAG-based standards, and services are also expected to provide users with information on how they meet the accessibility requirements. Certain exemptions exist for some microenterprises on the services side. A practical roadmap for site owners: first a scope analysis (is your service covered, which member states do you sell to), then a WCAG 2.2 based assessment, remediation of identified issues in the source code, and publication of accessibility information. Compliance is not a one-off project but an ongoing process: regular scanning and producing new content accessibly from the start are the foundation of lasting conformance.
Frequently asked questions
Does the EAA affect companies in Türkiye?
It can. The EAA follows where the service is offered: a company providing online services to EU consumers can fall within scope even if it is established outside the EU. E-commerce sites selling from Türkiye into the EU market, or banking and publishing platforms serving the EU, are examples. The first step is to identify which member states you serve and check their national implementing laws.
Which services does the EAA cover?
On the digital side, the main areas are: e-commerce services (online shops), consumer banking services, e-books and reading software, electronic communications services, and the websites and mobile apps of air, bus, rail and waterborne passenger transport. Products such as computers, smartphones and payment terminals are also covered on the product side of the directive.
This content is for information only and is not legal advice.