With the European Accessibility Act compliance deadline approaching, many US businesses that operate in the EU are asking the same question: Does the EAA apply to the US?
In this article, we’ll break down who the EAA applies to, how it affects US-based companies, what’s required for compliance, and how to prepare if you serve customers in the EU.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) doesn’t automatically apply in the United States (US).
However, if your US business sells products or services to consumers in the EU, you must still comply with the EAA. This is similar to how GDPR applies to U.S. companies that handle personal data from EU residents.
For small businesses, there’s an exemption. If you have fewer than 10 employees and annual revenue below €2 million, you’re not required to comply. Otherwise, EAA compliance is mandatory to operate in the EU.
If your business follows US accessibility laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III, you’re already halfway there.
Both the ADA and EAA are based on WCAG standards for digital accessibility. So, if your website or app is already WCAG-compliant, you’ve met a core requirement of the EAA. However, there are version differences, so some updates are still needed.
The ADA references WCAG 2.1 Level AA, while the EAA requires WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance. That means you’ll need to meet 13 additional success criteria to achieve WCAG 2.2 compliance and fully satisfy the EAA requirements.
Note:
EN 301 549, the technical standard referenced by the EAA, currently points to WCAG 2.1 Level AA. However, an updated version recommending WCAG 2.2 Level AA is in progress, so we recommend using WCAG 2.2 to future-proof your compliance efforts.
But the EAA goes even further.
It doesn’t stop at websites and apps – the EAA also applies to products, both physical and digital. If you sell products like e-readers, smartphones, or operating systems to customers in the EU, those products must meet specific accessibility standards.
And it’s not just about the end product – it’s about the entire process.
Unlike the ADA, which focuses on whether a product or service is accessible at a point in time, the EAA takes a process-oriented approach. It expects businesses to treat accessibility as an ongoing responsibility – not a one-time fix.
That means:
This shift requires US businesses to bake accessibility into their workflows, not just their outcomes. It’s a mindset – and system – designed for long-term accessibility.
To be EAA compliant as a U.S. business, your website and app must meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA, and any physical products you sell in the EU must follow accessibility standards such as EN 301 549 and other harmonised European requirements.
But compliance isn’t just about meeting technical criteria at a single point in time. The EAA requires an ongoing, process-oriented approach – meaning accessibility must be built into how you design, develop, test, and maintain your products and services over time.
Follow these steps to ensure your products and services comply with the EAA and remain accessible in the EU market.
Check out our guide on how often you should audit your website for accessibility.
While the EAA is an EU law, it’s enforced individually by each EU member state – not by a central EU authority. That means if your US business sells to customers in the EU, you’re subject to local enforcement in each country where you operate.
If you’re non-compliant, you could face penalties in multiple countries, even for the same issue.
Here’s what enforcement can look like across the EU:
📘 Want to go deeper? Check out our full guide on EAA fines and penalties, plus localised breakdowns for Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands.
WebYes is here to make your website EAA compliant. If you’re unsure where to begin, our tool provides a clear starting point to help you work toward EAA website requirements.
With a detailed accessibility audit, WebYes identifies WCAG 2.2 violations that could impact users with disabilities. This gives you insight into what needs improvement to meet essential standards.
Note that automated tools alone can’t guarantee full WCAG compliance. After running an audit, WebYes will flag areas that require manual review.
By manually auditing these areas and addressing any issues, you can meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA requirements. That brings your website in line with the EAA’s digital accessibility expectations.
Article by
Melwyn holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and has been writing professionally for over 4 years. He has a strong background in SEO and is certified in web accessibility from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). When he's not writing about website optimisation, you can find him enjoying a game of FIFA or exploring the open world of GTA.
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