It was about time the world realized the importance of accessibility. Hence, the introduction of the European Accessibility Act (EAA). But what is it and how does it affect your business? Keep reading to learn more.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a progressive step towards inclusivity by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The directive is aimed to enhance products and services by synchronizing accessibility rules across Europe. The main goal of this initiative was to improve the trade of accessible products and services in Europe and to make the market more accessible and friendly to people with disabilities. Originally proposed in 2011, the EAA was enacted in 2019 and covers the elderly and people with disabilities.
How Does the EAA Affect Businesses?
The EAA was established by the European Union for the people of Europe. If your business is run solely on the web, you must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). If your business deals with physical products, services, and digital devices, you must adhere to the EU Accessibility Act. It helps people with disabilities access the same content as everyone else and ensures businesses follow a uniform set of rules, leading to:
- Seamless cross-border trades
- Reduced costs
- Larger market
By following the accessibility rules, you enhance your brand image by striving to be more inclusive, provide a more accessible product to your target audience, and reduce the gap in accessibility by improving user experience.
What Products, Industries, and Services are Affected by the EAA?
To make sure there is full and equal participation of people who need extra help in accessing products and services, the EAA establishes accessibility rules. For example, ATMs must offer audio-assistive technology for visually impaired people. Other products that need to be made accessible for differently-abled people are:
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Restaurants and Shops
- Self-service technologies, point-of-sale devices, and kiosks
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E-commerce and Online Service Providers
- Consumer-facing sites and apps
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Airlines and Transport
- Mobile apps
- Websites
- Electronic tickets and electronic ticketing services
- Self-service technologies, point-of-sale devices, and kiosks
- Delivery of transport service information, including real-time travel information
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Mobile Device or Computer Manufacturing/Distribution/Importing
- Communication and telephony equipment with computer capability
- Computers and mobile phones
- Media equipment with computer capability
- Point-of-sale devices and self-service kiosks
- E-readers
Note: Remember that accessibility is not just about the product itself. It also extends to the packaging, instructions, and labels. Providers must make sure that every aspect of their technology is accessible to everyone, from the way it is presented to how users interact with it.
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Media Streaming and Telephony Providers
- Websites
- Mobile apps
- Media equipment with computer capability
- Communication and telephony equipment with computer capability
Note: Accessibility goes beyond just the content and also applies to the services and features used to deliver it. Media providers must ensure that every aspect of their platform is designed to offer equal access to people with disabilities, meeting both product- and content-specific accessibility standards.
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Financial Industry
- Consumer banking services
- Websites
- Mobile apps
- Contact information
- ATMs, point-of-sale devices, kiosks, and self-service transaction machines
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Healthcare Organizations
The EAA does not specifically cover healthcare services unless those services overlap with any of the previously mentioned technologies or experiences.
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Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) Organizations
Businesses selling technology or software to public or private sectors should prioritize EAA compliance, as their customers will expect products to meet these standards during the procurement process.
What are the Key Requirements of EAA and How to Comply with EAA?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) establishes a unified set of accessibility requirements across the European Union, ensuring that people with disabilities can access and use key digital products and services. Businesses operating in sectors such as e-commerce, telecommunications, and digital publishing must comply with these regulations to enhance inclusivity and avoid potential penalties. The EAA mandates accessibility in various areas, including websites, mobile applications, self-service kiosks, and electronic communications.
Below are the key requirements businesses need to meet:
- Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA: Websites, mobile apps, and digital content must adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at Level AA to ensure usability for individuals with visual, auditory, and cognitive impairments.
- Digital Services: Online platforms, e-commerce websites, and mobile applications must be designed with accessibility in mind, enabling users with disabilities to navigate, interact, and complete transactions seamlessly.
- Electronic Communications: Telecommunications services, messaging platforms, and video conferencing tools must incorporate accessibility features such as text-to-speech, captions, and real-time text to support individuals with disabilities.
- Self-Service Terminals and Kiosks: ATMs, ticketing machines, and other self-service devices should include accessibility features such as screen readers, tactile keypads, and height-adjustable interfaces to accommodate users with varying needs.
- E-books and Digital Publications: Digital reading materials must support features like text-to-speech, adjustable fonts, and alternative text for images, ensuring accessibility for individuals with visual impairments.
Complying with the EAA is not just a regulatory obligation but a step toward a more inclusive digital landscape. Businesses should take proactive measures to integrate accessibility features into their services, fostering a more equitable experience for all users.
What Happens for Not Complying with the EAA?
Enforcement of the EAA will be handled by individual EU nations through market surveillance, and non-compliance can lead to serious repercussions. While penalties differ across countries, they may include the removal of products or services from the market, hefty fines of up to three million euros, or even your company can get suspended to operate further.
What’s the Difference Between EU Web Accessibility Directive and WCAG?
While the EU Web Accessibility Directive and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 (WCAG 2.2) may overlap, they are distinct initiatives. They have different implications in private and public organizations. The core of the web accessibility directive lies in the WCAG 2.0. The directive does not hold specific rules for apps or websites to comply with. In fact, the readers have to refer to Standard EN 301 549 of the Accessible ICT Procurement Toolkit, which cites WCAG 2.2 for more clarification.
So, what makes them different, and why is it necessary to follow both? The WCAG 2.0 and WCAG 2.2 are set by the World Wide Web Consortium. They are influential, but they cannot legally enforce the guidelines on their own. By setting down WCAG principles in the web directive, the European Union makes it necessary for all its members to follow the WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards by default. Hence the directive is needed to set the WCAG in motion and compulsorily make everyone follow it.
EU Web Accessibility Directive vs the European Accessibility Act
The EU Web Accessibility Directive mainly focuses on public institutions, requiring their websites and mobile apps to be accessible.
However, the European Accessibility Act takes it a step further, extending these obligations to the commercial sector. Businesses across different industries must now ensure both their digital and physical products and services are accessible. This includes creating an accessibility statement, resolving accessibility issues, and providing a way for users to report problems.
How Continual Engine Helps You Comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
EAA aims to make the European market as accessible as possible for people with different abilities by removing barriers of inaccessibility. This will ultimately encourage inclusiveness in European society. Hence, every company that does business in the European market needs to be compliant with the EAA and should make modifications internally to make better operations.
Automating your accessibility is the best option to avoid going through the hassle of manually making your business more accessible. You can make it happen with Continual Engine.
