EAA vs. WCAG: Key Differences in Accessibility Standards 

Back to blog

EAA vs. WCAG: Key Differences in Accessibility Standards 

Posted January 09, 2025

AudioEye

Posted January 09, 2025

Text reading 'W3C' vs. 'EAA' against a blurred background of the European Union.
Text reading 'W3C' vs. 'EAA' against a blurred background of the European Union.

Ready to see AudioEye in action?

Watch Demo

The EAA is a legal framework focused on enhancing accessibility across industries in the EU, while WCAG provides global technical standards for accessible digital content. Below, we’ll break down their differences, how they complement each other, and which standard to prioritize for EAA compliance.

Understanding accessibility regulations and guidelines can feel like navigating a maze — especially in Europe, where the European Union’s (EU) directives add additional layers of complexity. A perfect example? The relationship between the European Accessibility Act and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

At first glance, they might seem interchangeable. But knowing the differences between the EAA vs. WCAG is essential for ensuring compliance and avoiding potential legal issues. This is especially true with the EAA compliance deadline in June 2025.  

Below, we’ll break down the key differences between the EAA and WCAG and help you understand where the two standards overlap. We’ll also look at the specific requirements included in each standard, allowing you to know exactly what standards you need to meet to stay compliant and create more accessible content.

WCAG vs. the EAA: How are They Different?

The table below provides an overview of the main differences between WCAG and the EAA — we’ll go into more detail about the differences later on.

Comparison

Swipe to see more

Criteria

EAA

WCAG

Type of Standard

Legislative directive

Technical guidelines

Geographic Scope

European Union member states

Global standard

Purpose

Ensure products and services within the EU are accessible to all, particularly those with disabilities

Provide a framework for creating accessible digital content

Legal Requirement

Mandatory for businesses in scope

Not legally binding; used as a framework for accessibility laws, including the Americans with Disabilities ActOpens in a new tab (ADA) and the EAA

Enforcement

Enforced by EU member states through penalties and fines

No direct enforcement

Industries Covered

Broad range, including eCommerce, banking, transportation, ICT, etc.

Focuses on web content and digital platforms

Accessibility Areas

Physical and digital spaces

Digital spaces

Compliance Deadline

June 28, 2025

No specific deadline

Focus on Universal Design

Strong emphasis on universal design principles

Encourages universal design but focuses on web content

Level of Detail

Broad and high-level, leaves specific requirements to member states

Detailed technical criteria

Audience

Business, service providers, and policymakers

Web developers, designers, copywriters, and accessibility professionals

Updates

Rarely updated; relies on EU legislative processes

Updated periodically (e.g., WCAG 2.1, WCAG 2.2)

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The EAA is a European accessibility law that’s designed to ensure individuals with disabilities have equal access to goods and services throughout the EU. The EAA aims to provide businesses and organizations within the EU with a unified framework for physical and website accessibility requirements. It also aims to break down barriers and provide equal access to physical and online spaces within the EU. 

The EAA applies to all 27 EU member states, meaning if your business operates in the EU — or even provides goods or services to individuals in the EU — you must comply with the EAA.

Who Needs to Comply with the EAA?

The EAA covers many industries, from eCommerce and banking services to public transportation and information and communications technology (ICT). If your business is included in any of these areas, you’ll need to meet EAA requirements. This includes both physical and digital products, everything from websites and mobile applications to self-service kiosks like ATMs and ticket machines.

Upcoming June 2025 Compliance Deadline

By June 28, 2025, all organizations in scope must meet the EAA’s accessibility requirements. Failing to comply by this deadline could result in significant penalties, including fines, reputation damage, and potential exclusion from the EU market. 

Though some organizations, such as businesses with fewer than 10 employees or those that make an annual revenue of under 2 million euros, may qualify for extensions, relying on an extension is risky. Preparing for compliance now ensures you’re avoiding legal trouble and positioning your business as a leader in accessibility and inclusion. Starting early also gives you time to address potential accessibility challenges, such as updating legacy systems or training your staff on accessibility best practices. 

Put simply, by prioritizing accessibility standards now, you minimize your legal risk and create more accessible experiences for users.

A chart displaying the three levels of WCAG conformance, from Level A (the minimum) to Level AAA (the highest).

What is WCAG?

WCAG is the go-to global standard for digital accessibility. Not only is it used to measure compliance with the EAA, but it’s also used in other international accessibility laws, including the ADA and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The guidelines were created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and provide a clear, actionable framework for making websites, apps, and other digital content accessible to everyone, particularly those with disabilities. 

At the core of WCAG are the POUR principles:

  • Perceivable: Content must be presented in such a way that it’s not invisible to any of the senses, including sight, sound, and touch.
  • Operable: Users need to be able to interact with your content, regardless of how they navigate (e.g., keyboard, mouse, or assistive technology).
  • Understandable: Your content and interface should be easily understood by all users, regardless of ability.
  • Robust: Content should work across a wide range of devices, browsers, and assistive technologies. 

These principles act as the foundation for WCAG’s guidelines; the guidelines are also organized into three conformance levels:

  • Level A: The minimum level of accessibility.
  • Level AA: The standard most organizations must conform with to meet compliance requirements.
  • Level AAA: The highest level of accessibility, which is ideal but often challenging to achieve across all content.

WCAG as a Legal Framework

Here’s where things get interesting: WCAG itself isn’t a law. Instead, it’s used as a legal benchmark for accessibility compliance. The EAA, for example, uses WCAG to define its accessibility requirements. 


More simply, if your website, mobile apps, online documents, or other digital content doesn’t align with the standards included in WCAG 2.1 Level AA, you may be facing legal trouble. Following the accessibility standards in WCAG helps you meet legal requirements and makes your content more accessible to millions of people with disabilities within the EU.

How EAA and WCAG Work Together

The EAA and WCAG go hand-in-hand to improve accessibility. Think of it this way: The EAA sets the legal requirement, while WCAG provides the technical framework to meet it. For example, the EAA mandates that digital content, including digital platforms, websites, mobile apps, online documents, and other digital content, must be accessible. WCAG outlines exactly what “accessible” means and how to achieve it. 

More specifically, WCAG 2.1 Level AA includes the guidelines needed to be EAA compliant, including:

  • Alt Text: Provide descriptive alternative text (or alt text) for images so users who rely on screen readers can understand the visual content.
  • Captions: Include captions or transcripts for all audio content to make it accessible for those with auditory disabilities, such as deafness or hard of hearing.
  • Assistive technology compatibility: Ensure your site works well with assistive technology, including screen readers, text-to-speech software, and screen magnifiers.
  • Keyboard navigation: Make sure users can navigate your site using only a keyboard — a critical feature for those who don’t use a mouse to navigate digital content.
  • Sufficient Color Contrast: Text should have sufficient color contrast between background elements — WCAG recommends a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text to enhance readability for those with visual impairments.


It’s important to note that the list above isn’t a comprehensive list of WCAG success criteria. For a more comprehensive list, check out our essential WCAG checklist.

Your Path to EAA Compliance Starts Here

Meeting EAA compliance standards isn’t just about ticking a box — it’s about lowering your legal risk and creating an accessible, user-friendly experience for everyone. With the EAA’s upcoming June 2025 deadline, accessibility isn’t something you can ignore. Aligning with WCAG 2.1 Level AA is your starting point for improving functionality and getting you closer to compliance.

Here’s the good news: Getting started with digital accessibility doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With AudioEye, the path to EAA compliance is fast, easy, and cost-effective, thanks to our three-pronged approach to accessibility. From our AI-driven automation technology that finds and fixes common accessibility issues in real time to our expert audits from accessibility experts and the disability community, AudioEye helps you achieve industry-leading compliance. Plus, by bringing accessibility testing tools into the development process, you proactively address accessibility issues, minimizing the need for costly retroactive fixes.


Ready to take the first step toward EAA compliance? Get started with a free accessibility scan from AudioEye, or schedule a demo to see AudioEye in action.

Ready to see AudioEye in action?

Watch Demo

Ready to test your website for accessibility?

Scan your website now.

Share post

Topics:

Keep Reading