European Accessibility Act

The EAA comes into force in 2025. The time to get compliant is now.

The European Accessibility Act (“EAA”, Directive (EU) 2019/882) aims to ensure that key products and services are accessible to all people, including those with disabilities. This legislation is a significant step toward an inclusive society, ensuring everyone can fully engage in economic and public life.

The EAA came into force on 28 June 2025. All affected businesses must now comply with the EAA.

There is a transitional period for enforcement of the EAA. Products and services released before 28 June 2025 have until 28 June 2030 to be compliant.

If you offer goods or services to individuals in the EU, you might be in scope

A wide range of services and products are within scope of the Act.

Services

• Banking services for consumers (e.g. consumer credit business, certain MiFID services)
• E-commerce
• Electronic communications services
• Communication for transportation services
• E-books and e-book software

Products

• Personal computers, tablets, phones and their operating systems
• Self-service payment terminals, interactive consumer terminals and other service provision terminals (e.g., ATMs, ticketing, interactive information displays, check-in machines)
• E-readers

We can help, with offices in your market and a team that knows your business

Navigating the complexities of the EAA can be challenging, so count on our team of experts to help. Whether you know your business is in scope or aren’t yet sure, Simmons is ready to help you at every stage of the EAA compliance journey.

Regulatory interpretation

Our team can provide guidance on these rules (including when, where and how they apply). We also help navigate what changes you need to make and when to make them.

Accessibility in action

We can test and review your current products and services for content, typography, usability and accessibility. Lawyers, legal designers and your stakeholders can then work together to:

• Locate opportunities
• Prioritise work
• Perform targeted uplift
• Demonstrate improvement and compliance

This helps ensure your business is more accessible, inclusive, and compliant.

Futureproofing

We deliver workshops on the why, what, and how of accessibility and compliance. We regularly create style guides and train legal and business teams on creating more accessible materials.