European Accessibility Act (EAA)

Directive 2019/882 on accessibility requirements for products and services, commonly known as the “European Accessibility Act”, is a European Union initiative aimed at ensuring that people with disabilities have access to goods and services.

High expectations not fully met

The initiative was launched in 2015 following repeated requests from the European Disability Forum (EDF) and raised hopes that legislation with a very broad scope would eventually be introduced.

Ultimately, the scope proved to be considerably narrower than hoped. But it was better than nothing.

A complex transposition

On 17 April 2019, the EAA Directive was finally adopted. The complicated process of its practical implementation could begin. As a reminder: a directive is a regulatory text that must be transposed into national law by each Member State of the European Union.

For example, Belgium had to amend a series of decrees issued by the regions and communities to ensure that the requirements of the EAA Directive were correctly applied in Belgium.

Entry into force, but many unanswered questions

The EAA finally came into force on 28 June 2025. The Directive obliges companies to offer services and products that are accessible, understandable and usable for everyone.

However, much remained unclear for people with disabilities. This applies in particular to the provision of information to consumers and the complaints procedures in the event of non-compliance with the Directive. It is very difficult for people with disabilities to know what they are legally entitled to expect and how they can inform the competent authorities of the problems they encounter.

These issues have been documented by the BDF and the Platform of Advisory Councils for People with Disabilities, which issued a strong recommendation to the competent minister: Recommendation 2025/21 of the National High Council for People with Disabilities.

To what does the EAA apply?

The European Accessibility Act applies to:

• The following products:
  • Consumer computer systems (computers, tablets, laptops) and operating systems
  • Payment terminals
  • Self-service terminals for services covered by the Directive (cash machines, ticket and registration machines, interactive self-service terminals providing information)
  • Consumer devices with interactive computer functions used for electronic communications services (smartphones, tablets capable of making calls)
  • Consumer devices with interactive computer functions used to access audiovisual media services
  • E-readers

• The following services:
  • Electronic communications services
  • Services providing access to audiovisual media services
  • Consumer banking services
  • E-books
  • E-commerce
  • Specific components of transport services relating to information and ticket sales, with the exception of urban and regional transport services, for which only the relevant self-service terminals are included