Starting 28th of June 2025, many businesses across the European Union will be required to align their products and services with new accessibility standards, as the European Accessibility Act (EAA) comes into effect. 

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) is an EU directive aimed at harmonizing accessibility requirements across the European Union. Its main goal is to remove barriers caused by inconsistent regulations among member states and to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to essential products and services. 

The directive applies to a range of products and services critical to daily life, including: 

• computers and operating systems, 

• smartphones, 

• payment terminals, 

• retail banking services, 

• e-commerce platforms,

• transportation services,

By implementing these standards, the EAA supports the social and economic inclusion of people with disabilities throughout the EU. 

Who is affected by the European Accessibility Act? 

The new obligations apply to a variety of market players: 

• distributors – individuals or companies selling products, even though they are not the producers or importers, 

• importers – businesses based in the EU that bring products into the European market from outside the EU or EFTA, 

• manufacturers – entities that produce products or outsource production, selling the items under their own brand, 

• authorized representatives – individuals or organizations empowered by manufacturers to act on their behalf within the EU, 

• service providers – businesses or individuals offering services to consumers within the EU. 

What are the EAA’s requirements? 

Under the European Accessibility Act, businesses must ensure their products and services are accessible to people with disabilities. This includes, for example: 

• making websites and mobile applications compliant with WCAG 2.1 at AA level, 

• ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies like screen readers, 

• offering alternative communication formats for users with different disabilities. 

In addition, companies must provide clear accessibility information and channels for reporting accessibility issues.

What are the consequences of non-compliance? 

Failure to comply with the European Accessibility Act may result in serious consequences, including: 

• financial penalties,

• prohibition from selling non-compliant products or services within the EU, 

• product withdrawal from the market. 

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Text based on: https://www.biznes.gov.pl/pl/portal/005142