The EU Accessibility Act involves product categories and eligibility criteria

The EU Accessibility Act applies to specific products and services sold or used within the EU after June 28, 2025. Recently, more and more companies have consulted with the Information Accessibility Research Association about whether their products are suitable for the bill. This article will focus on introducing the compliance points of some representative products (due to the large number of products, it is impossible to exhaustively list them. The following representative products are based on the research association's understanding of the scope of application of the law. For specific products that require compliance, please refer to the formal implementation of the law), including:

Smartphones and their operating systems

Laptops and desktop computers and their operating systems

Tablet computers and their operating systems

App application (belonging to the category of legal products)

Web pages (belonging to the category of legal products)

smart tv

TV set-top box

projector

router

POS machine

smart camera

Smart speaker

eBook Reader 

Streaming media service equipment

smart watch

Smart bracelet

recreational machines

Car entertainment system

The above are some product examples to determine whether a product needs to be included in the compliance scope of the EU Accessibility Act, which still requires a case by case evaluation. Taking projectors as an example, categories that only involve digital content, intelligent system integration, or audiovisual media services must meet compliance standards. If you still have any questions about whether the product is covered, please feel free to contact us at any time, and we will provide you with professional evaluation services.

Next, this article will introduce some specific product compliance requirements. Due to the complexity of the complete compliance requirements (which need to follow the recommended standards of the law, such as EN301 549), this article only provides examples of some compliance points.

1、 Terminal devices used for electronic communication services

1. Smartphones and their operating systems:

Compliance points:

1) IPhone, Android phones, etc. should support screen readers so that visually impaired users can use them. For example, the Android system should support TalkBack, and iOS should support VoiceOver.

2) All functions can be operated through the keyboard without relying on the touch screen. Users can freely adjust font size and color, provide high contrast mode, vibration feedback, flash prompt and other accessible functions.

2. APP application (belonging to the category of legal products):

Compliance points:

1) Screen readers should be supported to provide voice feedback for visually impaired users, ensuring that all non text content is replaced with text, using semantic HTML tags, and dynamic content updates can be detected by screen readers.

2) Need to support keyboard navigation, all functions should be operable through the keyboard, the focus order should be reasonable and the status should be visible, and keyboard shortcuts should be provided. In addition, high contrast mode and adjustable font size should be supported to meet the needs of visually impaired users, ensuring that the contrast between text and background meets the requirements. Users can customize the contrast settings.

2、 Computers and operating systems

1. Laptops and desktop computers:

Compliance points:

1) It is necessary to ensure that keyboard navigation is accessible, including providing easy-to-use keyboard shortcuts. High contrast mode and adjustable font size are required. And it can provide volume adjustment and magnetic coupling to support hearing aids.

2) The operating system needs to support screen readers to ensure that all non text content provides text alternatives.

2. Tablet computer:

Compliance points:

1) It is necessary to ensure the accessibility of touch screen operation. For example, providing easy-to-use virtual keyboards and voice input functions. The screen needs to support high contrast mode and adjustable font size. Volume adjustment and magnetic coupling are required to support hearing aids.

2) Need to support screen readers to ensure that all non text content provides text alternatives.

3. Web pages (belonging to the category of legal products):

Compliance points:

1) Ensure that the webpage content meets at least the AA level standard of WCAG 2.1, and meets the requirements of perceptibility, operability, and comprehensibility, such as:

2) All non text content (such as images, icons, etc.) should provide text alternatives so that screen readers can read and convey them to users, providing synchronized text alternatives for audio and video content, such as subtitles and audio descriptions. Provide clear navigation structure to ensure that users can easily find and use webpage content.

3、 TV equipment related to digital TV services

1. Smart TV:

Compliance points:

1) Provide standard connection, support voice output function, screen supports high contrast mode and adjustable font size to ensure visibility. At the same time, volume adjustment and magnetic coupling are required to support hearing aids.

2) Need to support screen readers and provide text alternatives for all non text content. Provide bidirectional RTT communication, supporting simultaneous use of voice and RTT. Provide subtitle playback function to ensure synchronization between subtitles and audio content, and retain subtitle and audio description data. Provide subtitle feature adjustment functions, such as font size, color, background, etc.

2. TV set-top box:

Compliance points:

1) Provide a remote control that is easy to operate, ensuring a reasonable layout of buttons, clear functions, and tactile feedback for visually impaired users to operate. Support connection with various auxiliary devices such as external displays, hearing aids, etc.

2) Provide a concise and clear menu structure to ensure that users can easily navigate through the remote control. The menu options should have clear voice prompts and support screen readers. Support voice control function, allowing users to operate through voice commands, such as switching channels, searching content, etc., to improve operational convenience.

3. Streaming media service devices (such as Apple TV)

Compliance points:

1) Provide standard connection, support voice output function, and ensure visibility.

2) Need to support screen readers and provide text alternatives for all non text content. Provide subtitle and audio description functions to ensure that video content is accessible.

4、 Other audiovisual media service equipment

The following products require subtitles, audio descriptions, etc. to ensure that users with visual and hearing impairments can access information. In addition, certain specific requirements need to be met, such as:

1. Smart speaker:

Compliance points:

1) Smart speakers that support multimedia playback must ensure clear voice output, concise voice commands, and provide non voice alternative operation methods.

2. Smart Watch:

Compliance points:

1) A smartwatch that supports multimedia playback and can be operated through gestures, touch, and other methods. At the same time, it can adjust the font size, contrast, etc. of the screen.

3. Smart wristband:

Compliance points:

1) A smart wristband that supports multimedia playback and can be operated through gestures, touch, and other methods. At the same time, it can adjust the font size, contrast, etc. of the screen.

4. Game console

Compliance points:

1) A game console that supports multimedia playback must support a screen reader and provide text replacement for all non text content.

5. In car entertainment system (such as Apple CarPlay):

Compliance points:

1) The system should support auxiliary technologies such as screen readers. If the system has voice output function, it should provide a volume adjustment range of at least 18 dB and support magnetic coupling to be compatible with hearing aids.

5、 Other categories

1. Projector:

Compliance points:

1) Projectors that involve digital content, intelligent system integration, or audiovisual media services need to provide voice output functionality and screen reader support.

2. Router:

Compliance points:

1) Provide input/output connections that comply with industry standards (standard connections).

2) Ensure that all non text content is provided with text alternatives so that screen readers can read and convey it to users.

Special circumstances description:

1) Smart router: If the router has intelligent functions such as voice control, smart home integration, etc., it may need to provide voice output function and volume adjustment function. For example, some high-end smart routers may support voice assistant functionality for controlling smart home devices.

2) Enterprise level routers: Enterprise level routers may need to provide more advanced user interfaces and configuration options, which may require support for screen readers and high contrast modes to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

3. POS machine:

Compliance points:

1) Provide easy-to-use virtual keyboard and voice input function to ensure barrier free touch screen operation. Provide voice output function to ensure that users can operate the device through voice interaction. Ensure the visibility of screen content, support high contrast mode, and adjustable font size.

2) Ensure that all non text content is provided with text alternatives so that screen readers can read and convey it to users.

4. E-book reader

Compliance points:

1) Ensure the visibility of screen content, support high contrast mode, and adjustable font size.

2) The operating system needs to support screen readers and provide text alternatives for all non text content.

Special circumstances description:

1) Multi functional e-book readers: such as devices that support multimedia content, these devices need to provide user control, activate subtitle and audio description functions to ensure accessible use.

5. Intelligent camera

Compliance points:

1) Supports screen readers, offers standard connectivity, supports high contrast mode and adjustable font size, and provides easy-to-use control buttons.

Special circumstances description:

1) Smart cameras with audio output capabilities: These devices require volume adjustment and magnetic coupling to support hearing aids.