European Accessibility Act (EAA) in the Netherlands – All the Key Details

Doing business in the Netherlands and wondering what the European Accessibility Act (EAA) means for you? With each EU country tailoring the rules in its own way, it’s easy to feel unsure about what actually applies. Don’t worry – we’ll break it down clearly.

In this post, we cover everything you need to know about the EAA in the Netherlands – including who needs to comply, key exemptions, deadlines, and penalties for non-compliance. By the end, things will feel a whole lot clearer.

How Is the EAA Implemented in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands transposed the European Accessibility Act (EAA) into national law through the Dutch Implementation Act. Rather than creating a brand-new law, the Dutch government added accessibility requirements into existing laws that businesses are already familiar with.

Here’s how it’s structured:

• Commodities Act (Warenwet, 2011): Now includes accessibility rules for physical products like ATMs, ticketing machines, and e-readers.
• Telecommunications Act (Telecommunicatiewet, 1998): Updated to ensure telecom services and devices are accessible.
• Dutch Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek): Specifically Book 6, which covers contracts and consumer protection, now applies to accessibility in e-commerce and online services.
• Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht, 2007): Includes accessibility obligations for banking and financial services.
• Equal Treatment of Disabled and Chronically Ill People Act (WGBH/CZ, 2003): Expanded to apply to audiovisual media and transport booking platforms.

Who Needs to Comply with the EAA in the Netherlands?

The Dutch Implementation Act, which puts the EAA into effect, applies to private-sector businesses that offer consumer-facing products and services in the Netherlands.

Here’s a quick look at who needs to follow the rules:

• Websites and mobile apps: If you run an e-commerce site, online banking service, media streaming platform, or booking system, your digital services need to be accessible to everyone.
• Digital service providers: Companies offering telecom services, financial tools, online marketplaces, or transport booking platforms must make sure users with disabilities can fully use them.
• Manufacturers of physical products: If you produce things like smartphones, ATMs, ticket machines, or self-service kiosks, your products need to be designed with accessibility in mind.
• Media and communication services: TV broadcasters, streaming platforms, and telecom providers must offer features like subtitles, audio descriptions, or screen reader support, depending on the service.

Who Is Exempt from the EAA in the Netherlands?

Certain exceptions exist under the EAA in the Netherlands, including:

• Micro-enterprises: If your business has fewer than 10 employees and makes €2 million or less per year, you’re automatically exempt from service-related accessibility requirements. However, you still need to comply if you manufacture physical products.
• Disproportionate burden clause: If making your product or service accessible would involve excessive costs or technical difficulties, you can apply for an exemption. However, you’ll need to provide proper documentation and get approval.
• Fundamental change exception: If accessibility changes would alter the core function of your product (for example, turning a tactile-only device into a screen-based one), you can request an exemption with clear justification and regulatory approval.

What Are the Compliance Deadlines?

The Netherlands follows the standard EAA compliance timeline:

• 28 June 2025: All new products and services introduced after this date must meet accessibility requirements.
• 28 June 2030: Products and services already on the market before June 2025 must be updated to comply or be discontinued.
• 28 June 2045: Self-service terminals (e.g., ATMs, ticket kiosks, and other self-service machines) installed before 2025 can remain in use for up to 20 years before requiring replacement with accessible versions.

What Are the Penalties for Non-Compliance?

The Netherlands takes a proactive approach to EAA enforcement. Instead of relying on complaints, different authorities monitor compliance within their own sectors, giving the system more structure and accountability.

If your business doesn’t comply, here’s what you could face:

• The Dutch Media Authority (Commissariaat voor de Media), which oversees audiovisual media services, can issue fines of up to €90,000.
• The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), which supervises sectors like e-commerce and telecommunications, can impose fines up to €900,000.
• For larger companies, the ACM may apply fines between 1% and 10% of annual turnover, depending on the scale of the violation.
• Non-compliant products may be removed from the market, and services can be suspended until they meet accessibility requirements.

You don’t need to worry about being fined immediately. The EAA includes alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, which means authorities will reach out first and give you time to fix the issues before taking action. You’ll have a fair chance to get things right.

How to Ensure EAA Compliance in the Netherlands

To ensure EAA compliance in the Netherlands, businesses must follow the Dutch Implementation Act, which transposes the European Accessibility Act into national law. Compliance is guided by the EN 301 549 standard – the EU-wide benchmark for accessibility in ICT.

Follow these key steps to meet your EAA obligations in the Netherlands:

Let’s take a closer look at each step.

Step 1: Identify Affected Products and Services

Figure out which of your products and services fall under the EAA. This may include websites, mobile apps, self-service terminals, telecom services, e-commerce platforms, e-books, banking services, and consumer electronics sold or offered in the Dutch market.

Step 2: Conduct an Accessibility Audit

Evaluate your digital and physical offerings using EN 301 549 and WCAG 2.2 Level AA. Use tools like WebYes to audit your website. And seek expert help where needed for telecom platforms, digital services, and physical products.

Step 3: Develop a Compliance Roadmap

Create a practical action plan based on your audit results. Focus on high-impact accessibility barriers first, and make sure your team knows who’s responsible for what – especially with the 28 June 2025 deadline approaching.

Step 4: Train Your Teams on Accessibility

Accessibility is a team effort. Make sure your developers, designers, content creators, and product managers understand the basics – including WCAG, EN 301 549, and the POUR principles. Keep them updated with ongoing training focused on your sector and the Dutch regulations.

Step 5: Document and Communicate Accessibility Compliance

For digital services, publish an accessibility statement explaining your compliance status and giving users a way to report issues. For physical products, prepare the required technical documentation and apply the CE marking to show compliance with relevant EU legislation, including accessibility.

Step 6: Implement Continuous Monitoring

Accessibility isn’t a one-time fix – it’s an ongoing responsibility. Use WebYes to regularly scan and test your website. And run periodic reviews of both digital services and physical products to keep everything up to standard.

How Can WebYes Help You Meet EAA Requirements in the Netherlands?

Making your website accessible under the EAA can feel like a lot – especially with technical guidelines like WCAG and EN 301 549 to navigate. WebYes helps you take the first, practical steps toward compliance by highlighting key accessibility issues on your site.

Here’s what we can do for you:

• Instant accessibility audits: Just enter your website URL, and WebYes will scan for WCAG 2.2 compliance issues.
• Actionable fixes: WebYes gives clear suggestions so you know exactly how to fix the accessibility issues.
• Continuous monitoring: Stay compliant over time with ongoing scans that catch new issues before they become real problems.

If your website needs to meet EAA standards in the Netherlands, running a free WebYes audit is a simple, effective way to get started – and move in the right direction.