WCAG 2.2 and the European Accessibility Act: what businesses actually need to know.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is now in force, which means the question for most businesses serving EU customers has quietly shifted from "should we plan for this" to "are we actually exposed right now." Here is what it covers and what it takes to be genuinely compliant, not just aware of the requirement.

What the EAA actually covers

The EAA applies to businesses providing certain products and services in the EU — e-commerce, banking, e-books, transport ticketing and telecommunications among them — above specific size thresholds. Many micro-enterprises are exempt for services, but the exemptions are narrower for products, and every business should check its specific position rather than assume it is covered by the exemption.

What WCAG 2.2 AA requires in practice

WCAG organises requirements around four principles: content must be perceivable (text alternatives, sufficient contrast), operable (full keyboard access, no traps), understandable (predictable navigation, clear error messages) and robust (works correctly with assistive technology). WCAG 2.2 adds a handful of new criteria on top of 2.1, including ensuring focus indicators are never obscured and that interactive targets are large enough to hit reliably.

What happens if you are not compliant

Enforcement mechanisms vary by EU member state, but they generally include the ability for regulators to investigate complaints and require remediation, with penalties attached in some jurisdictions. Beyond the legal exposure, there is a direct commercial cost: customers who rely on assistive technology simply cannot use — or buy from — a site that fails basic accessibility.

How to assess your own exposure and get started

A quick self-check — try navigating your site with only a keyboard, run an automated scanner, check colour contrast on your key pages — will surface the most obvious gaps immediately. For an actual conformance claim, or if the quick check turns up problems, a full WCAG audit with manual screen-reader testing is the only way to know your real position and get a prioritised remediation plan.

— FAQ

Frequently asked questions

• Does the EAA apply to my small business?+

  It depends on your structure and what you sell — many micro-enterprises are exempt for services specifically, but the criteria are specific enough that it is worth a proper assessment rather than assuming either way.

• Is WCAG 2.2 AA a legal requirement everywhere in the EU?+

  It is the referenced technical standard behind both the EAA and the public sector accessibility directive across EU member states, making AA the practical baseline nearly everywhere.

• How long does a full accessibility audit take?+

  It depends heavily on site size and scope, but a focused audit of core pages and flows is typically a matter of weeks, not months.