Get ready for accessibility laws

Businesses selling covered products or services to consumers in the EU — including companies based outside the EU.

• Directive (EU) 2019/882; national laws have applied since 28 June 2025.
• Covers e-commerce, banking, e-books, passenger transport services, electronic communications, computers, phones and self-service terminals.
• Technical benchmark: EN 301 549, which references WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
• Micro-enterprises providing services (fewer than 10 staff and ≤ €2 million turnover) are exempt.
• Penalties and enforcement are set by each EU member state.

• 28 June 2025 — Requirements apply
• 28 June 2030 — End of transition for some existing service contracts

State and local government bodies and services they provide online, including through contractors.

• U.S. Department of Justice rule published in April 2024.
• Technical standard: WCAG 2.1 Level AA for web content and mobile apps.
• Limited exceptions exist (for example some archived content and pre-existing documents).

• 24 April 2026 — Entities serving 50,000 people or more
• 26 April 2027 — Smaller entities and special districts

Businesses open to the public, such as online stores and service providers.

• No dedicated web technical regulation, but courts and settlements commonly reference WCAG.
• Thousands of digital accessibility lawsuits and demand letters are filed each year.
• Fixing real barriers and documenting your process is the best way to reduce risk.