The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is EU Directive 2019/882, adopted in April 2019 and enforceable across all 27 EU member states since 28 June 2025. It establishes common accessibility requirements for products and services sold to EU consumers, creating a single regulatory framework that replaces the previous patchwork of national laws.
The EAA does not define its own technical standard. Instead, it references EN 301 549, which for websites and digital interfaces maps to WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
Why it matters
Before the EAA, accessibility requirements varied by country, creating compliance uncertainty for companies operating across multiple EU markets. The directive harmonizes these requirements and introduces enforceable penalties. For TTS implementations specifically, the EAA creates obligations around audio controls, text alternatives, keyboard accessibility, and language declaration.
Covered sectors
| Sector | Examples |
|---|---|
| E-commerce | Online shops, marketplaces, digital product sales |
| Banking and financial services | Online banking, payment terminals, ATMs |
| Telecommunications | Carrier websites, customer portals, messaging |
| Media and audiovisual | Streaming platforms, news sites, podcast platforms |
| Transport | Ticketing, booking systems, travel apps |
| Consumer hardware | Computers, smartphones, tablets, kiosks, e-readers |
Purely B2B services and internal enterprise tools fall outside scope.
Enforcement
Enforcement is national. Each EU member state has designated its own authority and set its own penalties:
| Country | Maximum fine |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | EUR 900,000 or 1-10% of turnover |
| Spain | EUR 300,000 |
| France | EUR 250,000 |
| Germany | EUR 100,000 (up to EUR 500,000 for serious breaches) |
| Ireland | EUR 60,000 plus up to 18 months imprisonment |
As of March 2026, the first private-sector lawsuits have been filed in France against four major retailers. Sweden has 28 active investigations. Germany has seen mass cease-and-desist letters targeting online shops.
The EAA and TTS
If a product or service uses text-to-speech, the EAA has specific implications. Audio output must be accompanied by text equivalents. Audio players must be keyboard accessible with proper ARIA roles. SSML support is needed for multilingual pronunciation control. Provider selection must account for GDPR compliance and data residency.
See the EAA Voice Accessibility Guide for detailed implementation guidance and the EAA compliance tool to check if the directive applies to your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is EU Directive 2019/882. It requires organizations placing products or providing services on the EU consumer market to meet specific accessibility standards. It became enforceable on 28 June 2025.
Who must comply with the EAA?
Any organization providing covered products or services to EU consumers must comply, regardless of where the organization is headquartered. Covered sectors include e-commerce, banking, telecom, media, transport, and consumer hardware.
What is the microenterprise exemption?
Microenterprises with fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover or balance sheet at or below EUR 2 million are exempt from EAA service requirements. The exemption does not apply to physical product requirements and disappears immediately when either threshold is crossed.
What are the penalties for EAA non-compliance?
Penalties vary by member state. Germany allows fines up to EUR 100,000 per violation. France allows up to EUR 250,000. The Netherlands allows up to EUR 900,000. Ireland includes criminal penalties of up to 18 months imprisonment.
Does the EAA apply to non-EU companies?
Yes. The EAA applies to any organization that places products or provides services on the EU consumer market, regardless of where the organization is headquartered.