The world of accessibility regulations can be somewhat blurry. This is especially true in Europe, where directives are set by the European Union (EU) and member states are expected to comply by implementing their own set of corresponding laws. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a prime example of this, mandating that EU businesses ensure their products and services are accessible to those with disabilities.
Closely related to the EAA is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), yet knowing the difference between these two pieces of legislation is essential for staying on the right side of the law. In this article, we get into the details of this relationship, uncovering the key differences between the two standards and how they can be leveraged to improve accessibility.
WCAG Vs EAA: A comparative summary
Here is a brief overview of the main differences between WCAG and the EAA. Don’t worry if you still have questions, we will unpack these differences in more detail later on.
| Aspect | WCAG | EAA |
| Purpose | Provides technical guidelines for making web content accessible to people with disabilities. | Establishes legal requirements for the accessibility of products and services in the EU. |
| Legal status | Non-binding technical standard but widely adopted as a basis for legal frameworks worldwide. | Legally binding directive for all EU member states. |
| Applicability | Applies to digital interfaces such as websites, apps, and electronic content globally. | Applies to a broad range of industries and sectors in the EU. Including online and offline products and services. |
| Obligation | Voluntary but often required by law. | Mandatory compliance for specified sectors and products within the EU. |
| Implementation levels | Offers three levels of conformance: A (minimum), AA (mid-range), AAA (highest). | Does not specify levels but aligns with WCAG 2.1 AA for websites and digital services. |
| Technical standards | WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 or 3.0. | Relies on WCAG 2.1 AA for websites and digital services. |
| Enforcement | No inherent enforcement mechanism (relies on adoption by local laws). | Mandatory in the EU; member states monitor and enforce compliance. |
| Exceptions | None officially, but WCAG AAA compliance is often not practical for most websites. | Microenterprises and cases where compliance poses a disproportionate burden or cost. |
| Deadline for compliance | Ongoing as per local adoption of WCAG standards. | June 28, 2025, for businesses in EU member states. |
Free EAA Compliance Audit of your Website
Detecting EAA Compliance issues has never been easier than it is now. At Recite Me we offer a free audit of your websites homepage. This will identify and highlight any non-compliance on your website as it relates to the European Accessibility Act and WCAG. Followed by recommendations on how to implement the necessary changes to improve your websites accessibility score and standing.
What are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) set the global benchmark for web accessibility. Published by the W3C, WCAG has evolved over time to address new technologies and user needs. Its aim is to ensure that all web content is:
- Perceivable: Information must be presented in ways users can perceive, such as adding text alternatives to images or captions to videos.
- Operable: Interfaces should be usable with various input methods, such as keyboards or assistive devices.
- Understandable: Content should be clear and predictable, reducing the risk of user errors.
- Robust: Content must remain accessible as technologies advance.
Based on these four principles, WCAG defines, very specifically, how to achieve accessibility according to three different levels of compliance:
- Level A: The minimum standard for basic accessibility.
- Level AA: The mid-level standard addressing the biggest barriers for users with disabilities.
- Level AAA: The highest standard, offering the most inclusive experience.
As you can see, each subsequent compliance level imposes more stringent requirements than the one before it. For instance, Level A states that incorrectly completed form fields require an appropriate error message to be provided. Level AA, on the other hand, takes this a step further by demanding that any form field requiring user input is appropriately labelled, or has accompanying instructions.
Though globally respected, WCAG is not legally binding – it’s up to regional laws like the EAA to enforce its adoption. But more on that later.
What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a directive aimed at breaking down accessibility barriers within the EU. Enacted in 2019, it obliges member states to make certain products and services accessible by 2025. How member states intend on achieving this is largely up to them.
The EAA seeks to homogenise accessibility standards across the EU and enhance the free movement of accessible products and services, all with the overarching aim of increasing access to disabled consumers.
Although the European Accessibility Act requirements are relevant to both physical and digital offerings, it tends to be centred predominantly around digital accessibility. This means that any EU organisation with an online presence may be subject to its requirements. This includes, but is not limited to; ecommerce sites, mobile apps, online banking services, and eBooks.
The key differences between WCAG and the EAA
We briefly covered the main differences between WCAG and the EAA in an earlier section. Now let’s investigate these differences in a bit more detail.
WCAG Vs EAA: Purpose
While WCAG is a set of recommendations, the EAA is a legal directive. WCAG outlines what good accessibility looks like, whereas the EAA mandates compliance within the EU.
WCAG Vs EAA: Legal scope
The EAA is enforced across EU member states and applies to specific industries. Non-compliance with the EAA can have serious legal consequences, including fines, compensation, and mandated product overhauls. WCAG, on the other hand, remains voluntary unless adopted by regional legislation. With that said, since WCAG is internationally-recognised and widely considered the gold standard of web accessibility, it has been adopted by most EU member states for EAA compliance.
WCAG Vs EAA: Technical standards & implementation
While WCAG outlines technical specifications for accessibility (e.g., alt text for images or colour contrast ratios), the EAA mandates these requirements as legal obligations. For instance, WCAG might suggest providing alt text for an image, but under the EAA, failure to implement this can result in penalties, making it a critical legal concern for businesses operating in the EU.
With that in mind, WCAG comes in various shapes and sizes. Updated versions are regularly released (WCAG 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 3.0) and a range of different compliance levels exist — Level A, AA, and AAA — where Level A represents the lowest form of compliance and Level AAA the highest. To be EAA-compliant, businesses must adhere to WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
WCAG Vs EAA: Applicability
WCAG is applicable to digital platforms only, including websites, apps, and software, regardless of their location or industry. It sets accessibility guidelines that can be applied universally. The EAA, however, specifically targets businesses in the European Union and covers a much broader range of products, services, and industries, whether digital or not.
WCAG Vs EAA: Enforcement
Compliance with the EAA is mandatory, meaning businesses can face fines or sanctions if they fail to meet its standards. It is up to member states to monitor and enforce this compliance. WCAG 2.1 is used by many member states as a means of enforcing the EAA. Unless adopted in this way, WCAG itself is not enforced, but rather remains as technical guidelines or recommendations.
How WCAG and EAA actually work together in harmony to achieve accessibility online
The EAA doesn’t reinvent the wheel; it leverages WCAG, specifically WCAG 2.1 Level AA, as a foundational mechanism to help EU member states implement consistent digital accessibility laws. WCAG provides the technical guidance for creating accessible digital content, while the EAA enforces these standards through legal obligations tailored to EU requirements. This partnership ensures robust protection for users with disabilities.
Consider a Dutch ecommerce site, for example. Such businesses are required to design their websites to comply with the EAA, and in order to do so, they will need to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA criteria. Meeting these criteria is indicative of a website that is usable by customers with disabilities, thus satisfying the EAA’s mandate.
Download your free EAA Compliance Checklist
Want to make sure your website is compliant with the European Accessibility Act? Then get started today with our EAA checklist. This document details all of the important steps you need to take to ensure your website is EAA compliant before the deadline. Work through each step to avoid the negative consequences of being non-compliant.
How to comply with WCAG and EAA requirements
Navigating accessibility compliance might feel daunting, but breaking it into manageable steps can make the process straightforward.
Run an accessibility check of your website
Use automated auditing tools, like an accessibility checker, to quickly identify any glaring accessibility issues. Automated audits scan your website for non-compliant features, such as missing alt text or insufficient colour contrast, and compile the results in a concise report complete with actionable tips for addressing each issue.
Implement changes from the accessibility report
Based on your audit report, make necessary adjustments. This could include adding captions to videos, improving navigation for keyboard users, or enhancing readability. Remember to use WCAG 2.1 Level AA as your benchmark to guide the improvement process.
Regular monitoring to maintain EAA and WCAG compliance
Once your site is made accessible, your job doesn’t just stop there. Schedule periodic reviews to ensure your digital platform remains compliant with WCAG and EAA standards as technology evolves. If you’re unsure how often to conduct audits, start with once a month as a minimum. Also, note that auditing your site after every design adjustment or regulation update is an absolute necessity.
Need More Help Becoming EAA Compliant?
The following resources are packed full of actionable tips and expert advice for making your digital content compliant with the European Accessibility Act:
European Accessibility Checklist
Start ticking off European Accessibility Act requirements and ensure your organisation is compliant to avoid the risks.
European Accessibility Act Guide
Ensure your organisation is meeting the necessary requirements for European Accessibility Act compliance.
Free EAA Audit of your Website
Download a free accessibility check of your website. This report will highlight any EAA non-compliance and how to fix it.
