The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is the European Union Directive (EU) 2019/882 which was launched in 2019. It complements the European Web Accessibility Directive and defines persons with disabilities in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), from December 2006. This convention states that persons with disabilities “include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”.
The EAA aims to improve the trade of accessible products and services by removing country-specific rules to facilitate easier cross-border trade. It should also allow a greater market for companies providing accessible products and services. Persons with disabilities and elderly people will benefit from having more accessible products and services in the market.
The EAA mandates that by 28 June 2025, various products and services, especially digital technologies, shall be accessible to individuals with disabilities and also to old people. The aim is the standardization of accessibility, ensuring easier access to services and products, such as:
-Computers and operating systems
-ATMs, ticketing, and check-in machines
-Smartphones
-TV equipment related to digital television services
-Telephony services and related equipment
-Access to audio-visual media services like television broadcasts
-Services related to air, bus, rail, and waterborne passenger transport
-Banking services
-E-books
-E-commerce
Another key date is 28 June 2030, by which time the EAA provisions must be fully applicable to products and services already on the market before 28 June 2025.
The EAA will be amongst the themes at Nemko USA’s customer seminar in San Diego in September (as announced under Upcoming events and at this link)
(Article is based on the information shared by Nancy Tran and edited by T.Sollie)
