European Accessibility Act
The accessibility statement the EAA asks for
The European Accessibility Act has been enforceable since June 2025. It reaches specific services rather than every app, and exempts microenterprises — this is how to tell whether it reaches you, and what a statement contains if it does.
What changed in June 2025, and for whom
Directive 2019/882 became enforceable across the EU. It does not cover every app: it names services — e-commerce, banking, e-books, transport, telecoms and audiovisual media — and its article 4(5) exempts microenterprises providing services. No store checks for it either. If it does reach you, one of the things it expects is a published statement: what your product does for accessibility, what it does not do yet, and how someone affected can reach you.
Who it applies to
Broadly, consumer-facing digital products and services offered in the EU. There are exemptions, including one for microenterprises providing services, and the details depend on what your app does and where you offer it. If you distribute in the EU it is worth finding out rather than assuming.
What a statement contains
The standard shape is short: which standard you measure against, how conformant you believe you are, the parts that are not accessible yet and why, alternatives you offer for those parts, and a contact for reporting a problem. An honest statement that names gaps is worth more than one that claims everything is fine.
Why it is rarely offered
Most tools that publish app documents cover the four everyone knows — privacy, terms, support, deletion — and stop. The accessibility statement is newer, so it is the one most likely to be missing when someone finally asks for it.
What to write down
- The name of the app or service the statement covers.
- The standard you are measuring against, if any.
- What is accessible today, described plainly.
- What is not accessible yet, and why.
- Alternatives for the parts that are not.
- How to report an accessibility problem, and how fast you answer.
Questions
- Does this apply if I only distribute outside the EU?
- The Act covers products and services offered in the EU. If you do not offer yours there it does not reach you — though app stores are global by default, so it is worth checking rather than assuming.
- Do I need an audit first?
- A statement describes the state of things, and it is better published honestly than delayed until everything is perfect. Naming what is not accessible yet is part of the expected content, not an admission that disqualifies you.
- Is a template enough to comply?
- A template gives you the structure. Whether your app meets the Act is about the app, not the document, and it is not something a generator can decide for you. We are not a law firm and this is not legal advice.
Publish an accessibility statement
It is one of the document types included on every plan, free included, with a template to start from.
Free. No card.
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