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EAA Check: Does the EAA apply to my website?

Information about the article

Portrait of Dmitry Dugarev wearing glasses in a black shirt and smiling

Author: Dmitry Dugarev

Consultant for digital accessibility & IT compliance

Last updated on:

Even if the EAA applies to many companies, that doesn't mean it is relevant to you. To ensure you don't have to deal with the law unnecessarily, we have developed a 30-second test12 that shows you whether your website is affected.

Start the EAA Relevance Check

When filling out the form, pay special attention to who is considered a "consumer" within the meaning of the law – this definition is often broader than one might think. More on this below in the FAQ section.

1. Are you a micro-enterprise?

A micro-enterprise is a company with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet total of no more than 2 million euros.


Do You Have Any Questions?

What exactly is the EAA and why does it exist?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a regulation of the European Union that came into force in June 20221. It sets binding accessibility requirements for a wide range of products and services sold within the EU. Its goal is to ensure that important digital products and services (such as websites and online shops) are easily usable by people with disabilities. It creates a unified standard for the entire EU market.

Who exactly is affected by the EAA? And who are 'consumers'?

In general, most companies that sell or offer products or services to consumers (B2C/D2C) are affected. This ranges from the classic online shop to a service provider's website with a contact form.

The definition of "consumer" in the context of the law is very broad:

  • Private individuals who buy goods or services for personal use (e.g., clothing, groceries, furniture).
  • Tenants who conclude a residential tenancy agreement for private use.
  • Patients who receive medical services or medication for themselves.
  • Private bank customers who, for example, open a checking account or take out a private loan.
  • Travelers who book package holidays or flights for private vacations.
  • Pupils/Students who purchase learning materials or software for non-commercial purposes.
  • Private individuals on the internet who use online shops, streaming services, cloud storage, or e-book offerings.
  • Hobby users who purchase devices, tools, or courses for leisure, sport, music, or art.
  • Individuals who have not yet become self-employed (e.g., founders in preparation who privately purchase information or tools), as long as they are not already acting as traders.
  • Private individuals who enter into contracts for the family or household (e.g., energy contract, internet connection, home insurance).
  • Job applicants who apply for a position via a company website.
  • Private individuals who subscribe to digital content or subscriptions (e.g., Netflix, Spotify, newspaper subscription, online courses for hobbies).
  • and many more ...

It is easier to state who does not qualify as a consumer:

  • Traders and freelancers who purchase products or services for business purposes (B2B).
  • Public bodies such as authorities, universities, schools, which fall under the BITV 2.0.
  • Companies that exclusively sell to other companies without private individuals being involved.
  • Individuals acting purely professionally, e.g., when they act as self-employed individuals or entrepreneurs.
  • Organizations and associations that are not commercially active.

However, since there are some important exceptions (e.g., based on company size or type of offering), the fastest way to gain clarity is to use my free 30-second check here on the page.

Does the law also apply to purely B2B companies?

In principle, purely B2B offers are excluded. However, the line is often blurred. As soon as your website can also be used by "consumers" in the broader sense – for example, through a career portal for applicants or a press area – parts of your site may fall under the law again. The Relevance Check helps you assess this.

Are there exceptions for very small companies?

Yes, there are. So-called "micro-enterprises" that offer services are exempt from many obligations. A micro-enterprise has fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover (or annual balance sheet total) of maximum 2 million euros. My Relevance Check directly queries these criteria.

What is the difference between this Relevance Check and your EAA Checklist?

Good question! Imagine it this way:

  • This Relevance Check tells you whether you need to embark on a journey to EAA compliance. (Duration: 30 seconds)
  • The EAA Checklist is the detailed roadmap for this journey, showing you every single step.

Is this tool really free? What's the catch?

Yes, the tool is 100% free, and there is no catch. I developed it to quickly and easily give companies initial guidance. Our business involves helping companies with our Accessibility Audits and our Semanticality™ Plugin who determine after the check that they need to act. This tool is our way of proving our expertise to you in advance.

What happens if the result is 'Yes, I am affected'?

Don't panic! The result only means that you should deal with the topic. The next logical step is then to find out exactly where your website does not meet the requirements. Our free EAA Checklist is the perfect starting point for getting a detailed overview.

No. This tool serves as initial, quick guidance and was created with the utmost care. However, it cannot and must not replace binding legal advice from a qualified attorney.

What is the difference between EAA and BITV 2.0?

Simply put: The BITV 2.0 regulates accessibility for the websites of public bodies (e.g., authorities, municipalities, universities). The EAA, however, is aimed at the private sector and regulates accessibility for products and services sold to consumers.

How exactly does the check work? What questions are asked?

The check asks you 4-5 simple questions about your business model that you can answer without technical knowledge. It asks whether you have a website, whether you sell to consumers, how large your company is, and whether your website will still be operated after a certain deadline. Based on these answers, the tool provides you with a first, well-founded assessment of your EAA relevance.

date: 2025-11-03T16:00:00+01:00


Footnotes

  1. The EAA Relevance Check is an automated tool that provides an initial, non-binding assessment based on your entries. The result explicitly does not constitute legal advice and does not establish legal claims. The actual applicability of the EAA may depend on further factors not queried here. 2

  2. All information and the functionality of the tool were created with the utmost care. However, we assume no liability for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the result. The final clarification of statutory obligations rests with the respective company. For binding information, please consult an attorney.

About the author

Portrait of Dmitry Dugarev wearing glasses in a black shirt and smiling

Best regards,

Dmitry Dugarev

Founder of Barrierenlos℠ and developer of the Semanticality™ plugin. With a master’s degree, over 8 years of experience in web-development & IT-Compliance at Big Four, Bank and Enterprise, and more than 1,000 web pages tested for accessibility for over 50 clients, I help web teams implement accessibility in a structured way — without months of redevelopment.

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