What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU directive aimed at improving accessibility for everyone, including people with disabilities. This law requires certain products and services to meet specific standards by June 28, 2025
What is the EAA?
The EAA ensures specific everyday products and services, such as payment terminals, apps and e-commerce, are accessible to people with disabilities.
Who does it apply to?
The EAA applies to manufacturers, distributors and importers across the EU who offer products and services directly to consumers.
When does it take effect?
Starting June 28, 2025, compliance will be mandatory for new products and services purchased after this date
Why is the EAA important?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) helps businesses comply with EU regulations, preventing potential fines while also creating opportunities to reach a broader customer base, including people with disabilities. At the same time, the EAA ensures that consumers have equal access to essential products and services, improving usability and creating a better experience for everyone.
Accessibility features required by the EAA
The following features reflect CCV’s interpretation of the EAA guidelines:
Models with a touchscreen
Voice-guided navigation, (colour) blind mode and high-contrast screens.
Models with a physical keyboard
Tactile keyboards with raised buttons and clear voice instructions.
Online services
Compliance with WCAG standards, including keyboard navigation, alternative text for images and clear navigation paths.
How does the EAA affect you?
As a customer
No changes are needed. Many newer models will be updated during 2025 to include accessibility features that align with the latest standards. However, if you are using an older device, it will not receive these updates. Since there is a grace period, you can continue using your current device without issue. The length of the grace period might vary within the EU: e.g. in the Netherlands and Belgium it is 20 years, in Germany it is 15 years.
As a partner
All devices purchased before June 28, 2025, do not need to comply with EAA regulations during the grace period. The length of the grace period might vary within the EU: e.g. in the Netherlands and Belgium it is 20 years, in Germany it is 15 years.
As an integrator
EAA compliance is required for attended and unattended machines that fall under the scope of the regulation. While improving their accessibility is encouraged, EV charging solutions, vending machines and parking solutions are not in scope of EAA.
FAQ's about the EAA
The EAA affects different groups in different ways. To make it easy for you to find the right information, we have created separate FAQ pages for customers and partners and integrators.
Customer FAQ Partner and integrator FAQ
Have more questions? Contact us today for tailored support.
Disclaimer:
The information on this website reflects our current understanding of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) as of 10.02.2025. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. We regularly update this information.