The European Accessibility Act (EAA): what US businesses selling to the EU must know

The European Accessibility Act became enforceable on June 28, 2025. If you sell to consumers in the EU — including through e-commerce — your website and apps may need to meet EN 301 549, whose web requirements are built on WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

• It reaches US businesses: any company placing products or services on the EU market — online stores, consumer banking, e-books, ticketing and transport booking — can be in scope.
• The standard is EN 301 549. For websites and apps, its Chapter 9 incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA — the same technical core US courts already use.
• Microenterprises providing services (fewer than 10 staff and up to €2M turnover) are exempt — but that exemption does not extend to products.
• Enforcement began June 28, 2025; some services have a transition period to 2030, and member states set their own penalties.
• You must document conformance and keep records for five years — so a dated accessibility report matters here too.