The European Union (EU) rolled out its version of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the European Accessibility Act (EAA), in June 2025. The purpose of the EAA is to ensure that people with disabilities can freely access digital products and services, such as websites and online stores. Does the EAA apply to US businesses?
What is the EAA?
Just like the ADA establishes requirements for equal access to digital products and services, the EAA will require the same accessibility in the EU. Here’s a succinct definition of the EAA from a UK source, AbilityNet:
“The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a landmark legal change that aims to improve the lives of disabled people by ensuring equal access to digital products and services for consumers in the European Union (EU).
The EAA became law in all EU member states on 28 June 2025 and applies to any organisation that provides products and services to consumers in the EU, including businesses and public bodies in the UK.”
Continuing with the AbilityNet article, is this description of the objective of the regulations:
“The EAA aims to improve the lives of disabled and older people in the EU by ensuring equal access to selected products and services within the EU. It also makes it easier for businesses to understand and adopt common standards for digital accessibility.”
The key takeaway is simple: if your business provides digital products or services to customers in the EU, the EAA applies, regardless of where your company is based.
Does the EAA apply to US businesses?
The short answer to this question is: Unless you actively serve customers in the EU by including marketing content on your website that might attract them, providing services online or selling through an e-commerce website, your business is not required to comply with EAA standards. But what if your USA-based business unexpectedly attracts EU visitors and customers that you’re not aware of? That might also require you to comply with the EAA.
That said, the U.S. Department of Justice says that your website should comply with ADA standards, typically accomplished by implementing WCAG 2.2 guidelines, and if your website is ADA-compliant, you are a long way towards EAA compliance should you decide to start doing business in the EU, given the overlap between the ADA and EAA requirements. The following table compares the two acts and shows their overlaps.
The bottom line? The EAA does not apply to the vast majority of US businesses.
Category | U.S. ADA (Website Accessibility) | EU EAA | What This Means for a U.S. Business |
Purpose | Prevent discrimination against people with disabilities | Improve accessibility of products and digital services across the EU | Both laws aim to ensure equal access to websites and online services |
Geographic scope for Consumers | United States | European Union | Different jurisdictions, similar accessibility goals |
Applies to websites | Yes, through enforcement and case law | Yes, explicitly includes websites and digital services | Website accessibility is central to both laws |
Who must comply | Businesses serving the U.S. public | Businesses serving EU consumers | The EAA applies only if you serve customers in the EU |
Accessibility standard | WCAG is commonly used to measure compliance | WCAG referenced via EU standards | Same technical foundation for accessibility |
Enforcement | Complaint-driven and lawsuit-based | Regulatory enforcement by EU member states | Risk depends on where your customers are located: no EU customers, no impact |
Impact on U.S.-only businesses | Direct ADA responsibility | Typically none | ADA compliance remains the primary concern |
Practical takeaway | Required for all U.S. businesses and organizations | All EU businesses must comply with a few minor exceptions | ADA compliance significantly overlaps with EAA requirements due to the common use of WCAG guidelines and similar intent |
Your business is ADA-compliant, isn’t it?
So, your business is, in all likelihood, off the hook for compliance with the EAA. But it still must comply with ADA website standards. And, the benefits of ADA compliance are significant.
First, it’s a good business practice to make your website and the products and services you sell accessible to everyone, with or without disabilities. You’ve automatically increased your potential customer base.
Second, accessibility standards make websites easier to use for everyone, improving the overall user experience (US) and leading to higher satisfaction, longer site visits, and customer loyalty.
Third, having your website recognized for accessibility is good for your corporate and brand image and reputation.
Fourth, an ADA-compliant website will help to protect your company from malicious litigation initiated by plaintiffs and law firms that specifically target non-compliant websites, mostly by those whose principal business is to file lawsuits for profit. By being compliant, you Let Someone Else Be The Target™.
Taken together, these benefits make ADA compliance a practical business decision rather than just a regulatory requirement.
Are you ADA-compliant?
Does the EAA apply to US businesses? Probably not for most (including yours). If you are not ADA-compliant or aren’t certain how compliant you might be, Web Compliance Pro can help. Visit our website and take a free compliance assessment. It takes only minutes and provides clear insight into where your website may need accessibility improvements.
Call 818-592-6370 or contact us online to learn about our comprehensive set of Web Compliance Services and take the next steps to enjoying the benefits of ADA compliance.
