The European Accessibility Act (EAA)
From 28 June 2025, a new EU-wide legal framework requires websites, e-shops and digital applications to be accessible to people with disabilities. This is not a recommendation – it is a legal obligation.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is EU Directive 2019/882, which harmonizes accessibility requirements for digital products and services across EU member states. In Slovakia, it is implemented through Act No. 351/2022 Coll. and related government regulations.
Its goal is to ensure that digital services can be used by people with visual, hearing, motor or cognitive impairments.
Who does the law apply to?
The legislation applies to a wide range of digital service providers in the EU, especially those offering online services. It includes:
- websites and online stores,
- mobile applications,
- banking and financial services,
- telecommunications services,
- ticketing and public transport systems,
- e-readers, e-books and other digital services.
Some micro-enterprises may be exempt, but they still must respect other obligations such as anti-discrimination and consumer protection.
What makes a website or app “accessible”?
Accessibility is based on WCAG 2.1 / WCAG 2.2 guidelines and the EN 301 549 standard.
Examples of good accessibility
- high contrast text,
- keyboard-friendly navigation,
- alternative text for images,
- properly labeled form fields,
- clear error messages,
- captions for videos.
Common accessibility issues
- insufficient text contrast,
- icons or buttons without labels,
- forms without clear descriptions,
- PDFs without structure,
- videos without captions,
- illogical or inconsistent navigation.
What happens if you ignore accessibility?
- Financial penalties – from hundreds to tens of thousands of euros.
- Mandatory corrections within a set deadline.
- Reputational damage – complaints, negative feedback, lost trust.
- Loss of customers due to inaccessible content.
In practice, it is far cheaper to address accessibility proactively through a professional audit than to wait for complaints or regulatory inspections.
How does an accessibility audit work?
1. Consultation
We review your digital solution and determine whether it falls under the EAA requirements.
2. Technical analysis
We perform a full WCAG 2.1/2.2 and EN 301 549 review, checking UX, forms, navigation, contrast and screen-reader use.
3. Final report
You receive a clear, practical report with identified issues, severity levels and a prioritized action plan.
Legal notice: The information provided on this page is professional in nature and intended for general guidance. It represents an overview of key accessibility requirements and does not replace a full accessibility audit. A formal, detailed audit of the specific project is required to accurately assess and confirm compliance with the EAA.
