Accessibility Laws in Europe

This lesson covers selected accessibility laws, directives, and standards in the United Kingdom, the European Union, and several European countries.

United Kingdom - The Equality Act of 2010

The Equality Act of 2010 is a broad law that prohibits discrimination in work or society based on:

Disability
Race
Ethnicity
Sexual orientation
Gender
Pregnancy
Religion

United Kingdom - The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No.2) - 2018

Websites and mobile applications within public sector bodies, with some exceptions, must be accessible.

This is also known as the Accessibility Regulations 2018.

European Union - EN 301 549: "Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services"

EN 301 549 required all private-sector businesses within member states to make websites, intranets, and extranets accessible by 2020, and mobile apps accessible by 2021.

It is similar to Section 508 in the United States in terms of coverage.

European Union - Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union was declared in 2000. It brings all of the most important personal freedoms and rights enjoyed by citizens of the European Union into a single binding document.

The charter is divided into 6 chapters to cover those freedoms and rights:

Dignity
Freedoms
Equality
Solidarity
Citizen's rights
Justice

Laws in Europe - European Accessibility Act, 2019

The European Accessibility Act, or EAA, was created in 2019.

It created a clear set of guidelines for all member states to translate in 2 years and implement in 4 years. The goal is to make products and services that were deemed most important to people with disabilities accessible.

The official enforcement date for the EAA is June 28, 2025.

Examples of areas this applies to include:

Online banking
E-commerce
Mobile apps
ATMs
Telecommunications services

Belgium

All websites and mobile apps of the Flemish government must be accessible in accordance with European Directive 2016/2102.

There is also a specific law addressing the accessibility of electronic communications.

All three of Belgium's regions, Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia, have regulatory accessibility.

France

French Law 2005-102 was passed in 2005.

It focuses on physical and digital accessibility for people with disabilities.

Standards follow WCAG AA.

Germany

Germany uses Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung, known as BITV 2, or the Barrier Free Information Technology Ordinance.

Public-sector digital content must be accessible to people with disabilities.

It is based on a modified version of WCAG.

Ireland

Government websites must comply with the Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public Bodies.

It is based on WCAG.

Italy

Government websites must comply with Law 4/2004.

It is based on WCAG 2.0, Level AA.

Netherlands

All government websites and mobile apps must comply with WCAG Level AA web accessibility guidelines.

Private websites, such as those of web stores, banks, and transport organizations, will need to be accessible by June 28, 2025.

Spain

Government websites must comply with Law 34/2002 and Law 51/2003.

These are based on WCAG 2.0, Level AA.

Quick review

Region or law	Main point
United Kingdom - Equality Act 2010	Broad anti-discrimination law covering disability and several other protected characteristics.
United Kingdom - Accessibility Regulations 2018	Public-sector websites and mobile apps must be accessible, with some exceptions.
European Union - EN 301 549	Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services.
European Union - Charter of Fundamental Rights	Brings major EU freedoms and rights into one binding document.
European Accessibility Act	Covers important products and services, including e-commerce, banking, apps, ATMs, and telecommunications.
Belgium	Flemish government websites and apps follow European Directive 2016/2102.
France	Law 2005-102 covers physical and digital accessibility and follows WCAG AA.
Germany	BITV 2 covers public-sector digital content and is based on a modified WCAG.
Ireland	Government websites follow a WCAG-based Code of Practice.
Italy	Government websites must comply with Law 4/2004, based on WCAG 2.0 Level AA.
Netherlands	Government websites and apps must comply with WCAG Level AA; private websites have EAA-related obligations.
Spain	Government websites must comply with Law 34/2002 and Law 51/2003, based on WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

Video and self-study resources

No separate lesson video link was available in the supplied bookmarks.