European Accessibility Act Compliance in France
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) became enforceable in France on 28 June 2025, transposed by LOI n° 2023-171 and its implementing texts. It requires businesses offering covered products and services (such as e-commerce, banking, e-books, passenger transport ticketing, and telecoms) to meet the RGAA 4.1.2 accessibility standard, aligned with the European standard EN 301 549. This page sets out who must comply, the deadlines, the applicable standard, and how enforcement works.
Scan your site freeWho has to comply in France
The EAA applies to businesses providing covered services to consumers in France, including e-commerce, consumer banking, e-books, passenger transport ticketing, and telecoms. Micro-enterprises are exempt from these private-sector obligations: businesses with fewer than 10 staff AND no more than EUR 2 million in annual turnover. Note that public-sector bodies follow a separate regime (loi n° 2005-102 and décret 2019-768), which is distinct from the EAA obligations described here.
The deadlines that matter
LOI n° 2023-171 adopted, transposing the EAA into French law
Ordonnance n° 2023-859 adopted
Décret n° 2023-931 adopted
EAA obligations in force for new products and services
End of the transition period for services already in operation
Prove your France compliance
Conforma scans your site against WCAG 2.2 AA and EN 301 549, then generates a France-specific accessibility statement and a compliance certificate you can keep on file. Each scan lists the exact issues to fix, so you can show conformity with RGAA 4.1.2 before the DGCCRF asks.
France EAA questions, answered
When does the EAA take effect in France?
The obligations came into force on 28 June 2025 for new products and services. Services already in operation before that date have a transition period until 28 June 2030.
Is my small business exempt from the EAA?
Micro-enterprises are exempt from the EAA's private-sector obligations: businesses with fewer than 10 employees AND annual turnover of no more than EUR 2 million. If you exceed either threshold, you are covered.
Which accessibility standard must I meet, RGAA or EN 301 549?
France applies the RGAA version 4.1.2, which is aligned with the European standard EN 301 549. Meeting RGAA 4.1.2 is the practical route to demonstrating conformity for your digital services.
What are the penalties for non-compliance, and who enforces the EAA?
The DGCCRF carries out market surveillance and can impose sanctions of up to EUR 50,000. Separately, consumers who face inaccessible services can bring a complaint to the Défenseur des droits.
This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Check the cited national law for specifics.
Common fixes to check
Most sites fail the same WCAG checks first. Each guide has a plain-language fix and a before/after snippet you can copy.
See where your site stands in seconds
A free scan against WCAG 2.2 AA, a plain-language fix for every issue, and a France-specific accessibility statement when you are ready to prove it.
Scan your site free