The European Accessibility Act (EAA) — formally Directive (EU) 2019/882 — became enforceable across all 27 EU member states on June 28, 2025. It requires businesses selling products or services to EU consumers to ensure their websites and apps meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards.
Penalties for non-compliance
Non-compliance can result in fines up to €1,000,000 (Spain), 5% of annual turnover (Italy), or court-ordered remediation with daily penalties — as seen in the 2026 Carrefour case (€500/day astreinte).
Global convergence on WCAG
Similar laws exist or are being enacted worldwide: ADA Title II (US, 2026-2027), ACA (Canada), AODA (Ontario), and accessibility laws in Japan, South Korea, India, and Australia. All converge on the same technical standard: WCAG 2.1/2.2 Level AA.