Legal Status in EU Member States
The EAA is a directive, not a regulation, meaning it does not take effect in EU countries without national legislation. Each country must enact its own laws to implement the EAA. Below is the legislative status in five major economies:Germany
- Law: BFSG (Accessibility Strengthening Act), enacted in 2021, incorporates the EAA into German law.
- Penalties: Up to €100,000 fine for non-compliance.
- Exemptions: Applies to businesses with more than 10 employees and annual revenue above €2 million.
Italy
- Law: Amendment to the Stanca Act (2020), applying accessibility requirements to private businesses.
- Exemptions: Businesses with annual revenue below €500 million over three years.
Spain
- Law: Ley 11/2023, requiring compliance with WCAG 2.1.
- Penalties: €5,000 – €300,000 fines.
- Exemptions: Existing products only need compliance by 2030.
France
- Law: Decree No. 2023-931 incorporating the EAA.
- Penalties: €1,500 – €30,000 fines.
Netherlands
- Law: Various sector-specific accessibility laws.
- Penalties: Up to €900,000 based on company revenue.
| Country | Existing Laws | Mandatory standard for EAA for the private sector | Financial penalty | Exemptions for the private sector |
| Germany |
|
BFSG Barrierefreiheitss tärkungsgesetz | Up to 100 thousand euros | Exemptions for the private sector |
| Italy | Stanca Act 2004 | article 29 of the Stanca law | Up to 5% of a company’s annual turnover | Private with a revenue turnover of 500 million euros in three years |
| Spain | UNE 139803 2012 Public and private dealing in finance, travel and online sales with a turnover of over 6 million euros WCAG 2.0 | Ley 11/2023 | €5,000 – €300,000 | EAA Exempt No existing products, existing products only in 2030 |
| France | Law 2005-102 (Private) RGAA, 2009 According to WCAG | Decree No. 2023-931 | €1,500 – €30,000 | EAA Exempt |
