How the European Accessibility Act Influences American Businesses

The European Accessibility Act (EAA), which came into effect in 2019, unifies accessibility requirements across the European Union (EU), aiming to create a more inclusive environment for those with disabilities. It also gives businesses with customers in the EU a clear and consistent guide for accessibility compliance, instead of inconsistent standards that vary from country to country.

The Act mandates that a wide range of goods and services be accessible by June of 2025. While the EAA primarily impacts European Union member states, its implications reach far beyond European borders, affecting every company around the world with customers in the EU.

The Scope of the European Accessibility Act

The EAA aims to standardize accessibility requirements across the EU, reducing barriers for individuals with disabilities and creating a single, consistent standard for accessible products and services. The Act covers areas including:

• Computers and operating systems
• ATMs, ticketing, and check-in machines
• Smartphones and telephones
• Televisions and TV-related services
• E-books 
• E-commerce
• Banking services
• Transport services

Impact on American Companies

American companies that operate in the EU or sell products and services to EU consumers must comply with the EAA. Failure to adhere to the Act can result in penalties and exclusion from the European market. Customers in EU countries will be able to file complaints in their respective national courts on or after June 28, 2025. Various member countries may have different penalties. For example, those who fail to comply with the EAA in Ireland by the 2025 deadline can face not only hefty fines but also up to 18 months of jail time.

Standards of compliance

The EAA does not provide specific criteria by which to measure accessibility for member countries, as they must create their own digital accessibility laws and standards to align with the EAA. But the EAA does cite the same general standards as the international standard, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, requiring that websites and apps be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for people with disabilities.

PDF Accessibility Requirements Under the EAA

The EAA specifies that all digital content must be accessible to people with disabilities, and PDF files are part of that. This includes a number of documents such as manuals, installation guides, invoices, financial statements, and more. 

Tagging PDFs for Accessibility

Tagging PDFs is crucial for accessibility. Tags provide a structure that assistive technologies can use to present the content in a meaningful way. Proper tagging includes:

• Headings: Use appropriate heading levels (H1, H2, H3) to structure the document.
• Lists: Ensure that lists are tagged correctly to reflect their hierarchy.
• Tables: Tag tables properly, including row and column headers, to ensure data is accessible.
• Images: Add alt text to images to describe their content.
• Reading Order: Ensure that the content is correctly ordered in the digital tag tree so that it is presented accurately

Steps for American Companies to Ensure PDF Accessibility

To comply with the EAA’s requirements for PDF accessibility, American companies can take the following steps:

Conduct Accessibility Audits

Regular audits of PDF files can help identify accessibility issues. These audits should be thorough, covering all aspects of the document’s structure and content.

Use Accessibility Tools

There are various tools available for creating and checking accessible PDFs. Equidox offers both manual and automated solutions for tagging elements, adding alt text, and ensuring the document’s accessibility.

Provide Training

Staff involved in creating and managing PDF files should be trained on accessibility requirements and best practices. This training can help ensure that all documents meet the necessary standards.

Reaching a global market through accessibility

The European Accessibility Act presents an opportunity for American companies to ensure that they can continue doing business with the EU market by making their products, services, and digital content accessible. The requirements for PDF accessibility under the EAA, while demanding, are achievable with the right tools, training, and commitment to accessibility.

Nina Overdorff

Nina comes to Equidox with years of sales and marketing experience from a variety of industries and holds a BS in Language Arts Education. Nina has a passion for words, storytelling, and information, which she believes everyone should have access to regardless of ability. After spending time as a teacher with a blind student, she became much more aware of the limitations and abilities of web accessibility, and how essential it is to those experiencing disabilities. “Being able to access information equally ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity for education, employment, and success in life.”