Does the European Accessibility Act apply to my small business?
In short: It depends on your size and what you sell. Micro-enterprises that provide services — fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet total of no more than €2 million — are exempt from the EAA's service requirements. Any larger business selling in-scope products or services, such as e-commerce, to EU consumers must comply.
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Who counts as a micro-enterprise
The directive defines a micro-enterprise as a business with fewer than 10 employees and either an annual turnover or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €2 million. Both parts matter: a five-person shop with €3 million turnover and a €3 million balance sheet is not a micro-enterprise.
Services and products are treated differently
The exemption covers micro-enterprises that provide services, such as an online shop. Micro-enterprises that manufacture, import or distribute in-scope products (for example e-readers or payment terminals) are not exempt from the accessibility requirements, although the directive spares them some documentation duties.
If you are above the threshold
A practical checklist:
- Check whether you offer an in-scope service: e-commerce, consumer banking, electronic communications, e-books, passenger transport services or access to audiovisual media services.
- Measure your website and app against WCAG 2.1 AA, the web part of EN 301 549.
- Fix barriers in your code and publish information on how your service meets the accessibility requirements.
- If full compliance would be a disproportionate burden, the directive allows an exception — but you must assess and document it.
Official sources
- Directive (EU) 2019/882 — European Accessibility Act (EUR-Lex)
- European Commission — European Accessibility Act
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General information, not legal advice. National transposition laws differ — consult a lawyer for a binding assessment of your business.
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