EAA resources
Required reading and expertise at the ready for all your digital accessibility needs.
Everything you need for EAA compliance, all in one place
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) affects just about every business in the EU, as well as most companies elsewhere in the world that do business in the EU. While EAA compliance is fundamental to making digital spaces accessible to everyone, it’s also a moral imperative if your company values inclusivity, not to mention a business imperative in terms of expanding your audience.
Just because it’s important doesn’t mean it's easy: Compliance with every EAA requirement demands an understanding of the overall concepts that underpin digital accessibility, as well as attention to detail from just about everyone on your team, from WebOps to designers to content marketers.
There are lots of good reasons to rely on Siteimprove.
Siteimprove was founded in Europe and has been in the business of digital accessibility for more than 20 years. To this day, it is the only provider of digital accessibility governance and testing products and services headquartered in Europe.
That means we have a deeper understanding of the particular challenges facing companies that are also based in the EU and those that do business there. Indeed, Siteimprove experts are leaders in the development of WCAG testing rules, putting us at the very heart of digital accessibility requirements and the digital accessibility community as a whole.
More than 5,000 companies trust us to ensure that that their digital estates are accessible to people with disabilities, and to expand their reach and build their brands through accessibility. Across industries, companies rely on us for intel on how requirements evolve and what to plan for, not to mention automatic and manual testing.
Many of our customers turned to us because they didn’t know where to start with digital accessibility; partnering with Siteimprove quickly got them just where they needed to be. Going forward, they’re primed to keep up with the requirements that continue to evolve.
Become more fluent in the EAA.
- EAA Checklist
- The European Accessibility Act: What its June 2025 deadline means for you
- What EAA means for B2B across the globe
- Everything you need to know about the EU Web Accessibility Directive and the European Accessibility Act
- The European Accessibility Act: Ready or not, here it comes
- Mastering EAA implementation strategies: A guide to EU accessibility legislation
See where you stand, at a glance.
Our free website accessibility checker generates scores that tell you just where your site stands, as well as clear “pass” or “fail” indicators that help you prioritize fixes.
Check my site
When it comes to EAA compliance, there’s a lot you need to get done quickly.
Our digital accessibility governance services make light work of your heavy load.
- Automated accessibility testing – Probe every corner of your site for issues ranging from insufficient color contrast to noncompliant links, including in PDFs.
- Manual accessibility audits – Our experts check every nook and cranny for weaknesses automated testing can’t find, like issues with keyboard-only navigation and screen reader compatibility.
- User testing by people with disabilities – Real-world feedback from individuals with disabilities, including vision loss and motor impairments, provides an additional layer of assessment.
- Accessibility consulting services – Our certified accessibility experts provide training on EAA, WCAG, and assistive technologies so your team is primed to implement accessibility standards.
- VPAT creation – A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) demonstrates how a product meets a host of accessibility standards, including EAA. We’ll help you create and validate your VPAT so you can share it with confidence.
- Reporting and analytics – Digital accessibility, including EAA compliance, is typically reported on to multiple stakeholders. Our dashboards make sharing your progress easy.
Get alerts for our EAA workshops and content.
Our accessibility experts
Siteimprove’s digital accessibility practice is robust and respected, partly because we’re veterans in the field and partly because our accessibility experts are unmatched.
Christina Adams
CPACC, WAS, CPWA
Christina is manager of digital accessibility at Siteimprove and is certified by the the International Association of Accessibility Professionals. Her expertise in accessible coding, design, and UX underpins her success as a leader in digital inclusivity, and she oversees a highly skilled team of consultants and analysts who guide customers toward digital accessibility compliance.
Jean-Yves Moyen
As a Siteimprove principal software engineer, Jean-Yves is responsible for Siteimprove’s automated accessibility testing solution, including our Accessibility Checker. He also writes accessibility testing rules as part of the W3C community and has taught computer science at the University of Paris and the University of Copenhagen.
Tobias Christian Jensen
Tobias is product operations lead at Siteimprove and regularly leads workshops on digital accessibility. An array of designers, developers, QA engineers, project managers, and business leaders across industries have relied on Tobias to guide them through the nuances and technicalities of digital accessibility and inclusive design.
Siteimprove is an industry leader in digital accessibility and governance, digital experience analytics, search engine marketing, and cross-channel advertising.
On-demand webinars:
European Accessibility Act (EAA) FAQ
Q: What is the EAA and who does it apply to?
A: The European Accessibility Act (EAA) comes into effect on June 28, 2025. It applies to private businesses operating in the EU with over 10 employees and annual turnover above €2M. It mandates accessibility across digital products and services, and consumers can file a complaint if they feel the company isn't meeting the rules. Penalties vary by country and can be up to €3 million.
Q: What if we are based outside the EU?
A: If your business markets to or serves users in the EU, the EAA applies, regardless of your HQ location.
Q: What sectors and products are affected?
A: The EAA impacts a wide range:
- Products: Websites, mobile apps, POS devices, e-readers, ticketing machines, etc.
- Industries: Retail, banking, healthcare, education, telecommunications, and more.
Q: What accessibility standard does the EAA require?
A: The EAA references EN 301 549, which incorporates WCAG 2.1 AA as the web standard. WCAG 2.2 is not yet required but recommended for future-proofing.
Q: Is WCAG 2.2 AA acceptable for compliance?
A: Yes. WCAG 2.2 includes and builds on WCAG 2.1. While not currently mandated by EN 301 549, it is a smart target.
Q: What about EN 301 549 criteria beyond WCAG?
A: These include additional requirements (e.g., documents, multimedia). Compliance can be complex and may vary by country. When in doubt, consult accessibility experts or local regulations.
Q: What is the transition period for compliance?
A: Content published before June 28, 2025 must comply by June 28, 2030. Any new content after June 28, 2025 must comply from launch.
Q: What accessibility score is "good enough" to avoid penalties?
A: There is no set "score." Full compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA is expected. While 80%+ automated checks are a good internal target, manual testing is essential. Regulators may still act on individual complaints.
Q: Is keyboard navigation required?
A: Yes. It is a core WCAG 2.1 AA requirement and essential for EAA compliance.
Q: Are ARIA roles required?
A: ARIA roles aren't mandatory but help meet many WCAG success criteria and are considered best practice.
Q: How does the EAA affect B2B companies?
A: While B2B isn't explicitly mentioned, procurement expectations are rising. If your clients or customers are required to comply, they will likely require accessible tools from you.
Q: Does the EAA apply to B2B-only industries, like insurance or industrial manufacturing?
A: Yes, if their services fall within scope (e.g., banking, e-commerce) or if their public-facing sites provide product or service info.
Q: What if we use third-party platforms?
A: You are responsible for accessibility if third-party services are part of your customer journey. Add accessibility clauses in vendor contracts.
Q: What level of accessibility is needed in higher education or public sector?
A: Many are already aligned with WCAG 2.1 under national law. The EAA introduces additional obligations if you're in the private sector or operate cross-border.
Q: Are social media posts covered?
A: Social platforms themselves are not directly covered, but your content should follow best practices (e.g., alt text, captions) for brand consistency and user experience.
Q: Do multilingual sites need alt text in each language?
A: Yes. Alt text and other accessible elements should be localized to match the language of the page.
Q: Do PDFs and downloadable documents need to comply?
A: Yes, if they are public-facing. Use accessible PDF formats and test using screen readers.
Q: Does Siteimprove support EAA compliance?
A: Yes. While the platform doesn't yet have a dedicated "EAA" flag, Siteimprove audits for WCAG 2.1 AA, which is the core web standard under the EAA.
Q: Will Siteimprove release an EAA dashboard or report?
A: This is under consideration and development. In the meantime, use WCAG settings and reporting to guide your compliance journey.
Q: Can Siteimprove handle non-indexable pages?
A: Yes. Submit a support ticket to tailor your configuration to audit non-indexable content.
Q: How much of EN 301 549 does Siteimprove cover?
A: Siteimprove covers all WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria and some additional EN 301 549 elements, especially for web content.
Q: Can AI make PDFs or InDesign documents accessible?
A: AI tools can assist, but full compliance typically requires manual checks and remediation. Siteimprove and Adobe tools can help.
Q: What are the first steps toward EAA compliance?
A: Use this 10-step process:
- Understand the requirements (EN 301 549 + WCAG)
- Conduct a current-state audit
- Develop internal policies
- Train teams
- Integrate accessibility into design/dev
- Implement fixes
- Monitor compliance
- Document your efforts
- Engage users and stakeholders
- Stay current with evolving standards
Q: What level of compliance is expected by the deadline?
A: WCAG 2.1 AA for web content is the baseline under EN 301 549.
Q: Why does accessibility matter beyond compliance?
A: Accessibility enhances customer experience, brand trust, and operational efficiency. According to Forrester:
- 65% of marketers see accessibility tools as crucial to their success
- It reduces complaints, lowers support costs, and increases customer loyalty
- Accessible products are easier to use for everyone, improving overall satisfaction
Q: Should we have an accessibility policy?
A: It’s not legally required but recommended. It demonstrates accountability and signals commitment.