EAA Directive goes live in June
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a directive that will have a significantly impact businesses operating in or selling within the EU. The directive requires businesses to ensure greater accessibility in their products and services, including e-commerce and banking. The directive will go live for all productions put into the market after the 28th of June. The directive will apply to services from that date.
Why has this come into force?
Over 80 million people in the EU live with some form of disability related to accessibility issues. The EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights explicitly acknowledges and respects their right to benefit from measures designed to ensure their independence, social and occupational integration and active participation in community life. The EAA’s purpose is to ensure people with disabilities can get equal access to products and services within the EU Marketplace.
What does it cover?
The EAA covers a wide range of products and services, including personal computers and smartphones, ATMs, e-commerce website, information kiosks, ticketing machines, public transport services, and banking services. Basically, products must be designed and produced to maximise their use by people with disabilities. In addition, services must provide information about the service, its accessibility features and facilities; make websites and mobile devices easily accessible, among other things.
What are the key provisions within the Act?
- General accessibility requirements for products and services in addition to specific accessibility requirements for certain products and services.
- Obligations for manufacturer, importers, distributors and service providers.
- Fundamental alteration and disproportionate burden.
- Process for market surveillance of products and checking of compliance of services.
- Appointment of oversight authorities
- Certain exemptions (microenterprises) and derogations.
- Enforcement and penalties.
- Implementation period.
Regular compliance
Businesses will be required to take corrective action if their products or services are found to be non-compliant, which could involve making changes to products or services. Regulatory implications for non-compliance with the EAA include potential fines and other penalties. The directive does mandate that penalties must be “effective, proportionate, and dissuasive”.
Further details of the directive can be found here.
For questions on this topic, please contact SFA Public Affairs Lead, Jonathan McDade - Tel: 01 605 1688 or Email: jonathan.mcdade@sfa.ie.
