On 28 June 2025, new accessibility requirements under the European Accessibility Act (EAA) come into force across the European Union.

These rules apply to a wide range of consumer products and digital services, with the aim of improving usability for persons with disabilities and ensuring greater inclusivity in the internal market.

The EAA, adopted in 2019, is a minimum harmonisation directive. It sets out obligations for manufacturers, service providers, importers, and distributors to ensure that certain goods and services are accessible.

Products covered include general-purpose computer hardware such as desktops, laptops, and tablets, as well as operating systems. The legislation also applies to smartphones, e-readers, smart TVs, and payment terminals.

In terms of services, the Act requires accessibility in electronic communication services, audiovisual media services, consumer banking, e-books, e-commerce platforms, and specific aspects of transport services.

These include self-service ticketing and information terminals, although urban, suburban, and regional transport services are not fully covered.

To support implementation, the AccessibleEU Centre was launched as an initial measure. The Act allows Member States to introduce additional national legislation extending accessibility requirements beyond those covered by the directive.

During negotiations, areas such as the built environment and urban transport were points of divergence between EU institutions and Member States.

The Act’s entry into force marks a legal milestone in European accessibility policy.

Compliance is expected from all relevant economic operators, with enforcement and monitoring to be carried out by national authorities.

Member States are also responsible for allocating the necessary resources and for involving representative organisations of persons with disabilities in the process of oversight and review.

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