EEA Guidelines Consultation

As stated in our previous article, The European Accessibility Act (EAA) covers a range of digital products and services will become law on 28 June 2025. If you manufacture, import or distribute these products in Ireland, it’s important for you to familiarise yourself with the EAA. The European Commission has drafted guidelines (see first link below) that will help microenterprises understand the EAA. They are not intended to be comprehensive or a definitive guide on the requirements in the EAA. If you are unsure of your legal obligations, you should seek independent legal advice. There is also a questionnaire for you to fill in (see second link below) to assess the guidelines.

The main goals of the EAA are to:

1. Increase the availability of accessible products and services across the EU.
2. Ensure that accessibility requirements are consistently applied to the manufacturing and sale of products and services across the EU.

As a result, businesses will benefit from:

1. Reduced costs due to common rules on accessibility in the EU.
2. Easier cross-border trading.
3. More market opportunities for their accessible products and services.

People with disabilities and elderly people will benefit from:

1. More accessible products and services in the market.
2. Accessible products and services at more competitive prices.
3. Fewer barriers to transport, education and the labour market.
4. More jobs available where accessibility expertise is needed.

The guidelines for microbusinesses can be found here: https://www.ccpc.ie/business/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Microenterprise-Guidelines-Consultation-Draft-1-3.pdf

Here is the questionnaire: https://www.ccpc.ie/business/research/consultations/consultation-on-microenterprise-guidelines-on-the-european-accessibility-act/eaa-consultation-consultation/

Further Resources:

• We will be hosting a Briefing for members of the SFA on the topic on Thursday, 1 May. Register to participate here.
• For questions, please contact SFA Public Affairs Lead, Jonathan McDade - Tel: 01 605 1688 or Email: jonathan.mcdade@sfa.ie.