The European Accessibility Act is a landmark measure adopted by the EU as a part of Digital Services (also referred to as Digital Decade) initiative. It is aimed at the promotion of equality for people with disabilities, in line with previous UN and EU efforts. Its end goal is to make products generally more accessible.
The directive imposes accessibility requirements for certain products and services and also eliminates current and prevents future barriers to the free movement of certain accessible products and services. In addition, it aims to improve access to these products by making them easier and cheaper to produce, therefore, making them less costly to customers. The directive is applicable to both products and services originating in the EU and the ones imported from outside the EU.
Regarding products the directive stipulates that they must be designed in a way that maximizes potential for their use for people with disabilities by complying with detailed rules on their design, packaging and information. For the purpose of this directive products include general purpose computer hardware and operating systems as well as payment and other self – service terminals.
On the other hand, a similar set of requirements is imposed for services which will now have to provide information, make websites accessible and install support systems for their customers. The previously stated service requirements apply to websites, e-books, e-commerce and other types of services.
A noteworthy aspect of the directive is that it provides a significant leeway for microenterprises and SMEs which will be exempt from certain requirements regarding product and service accessibility or have them reduced in order to make them achievable to smaller companies.
With the directive entering into legal force on the 25th June of this year, its benefits are expected to be seen immediately.
Prepared by,
Daniel Vujacic, LL.M (UW)