It primarily concerns digital products and services. The European Accessibility Directive makes an important contribution to the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Netherlands has committed itself to improving the position of people with disabilities in society with this convention.

State Secretary Pouw-Verweij (VWS): “It is essential that everyone can participate in our society, including digitally. This law is therefore an important step in the right direction. These new accessibility requirements provide people with disabilities more freedom and independence. They are no longer dependent on others for things like managing their banking, purchasing a train ticket, or online shopping. Moreover, it is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs. They can reach a much broader audience with their services and products.”

The directive increases the accessibility of particularly digital products and services. This is of great importance, as we are becoming increasingly digital as a society. The directive applies to, among other things, telephones, computers, payment terminals, mobile apps, and online shops. The directive prescribes accessibility requirements such as the ability to increase the volume of a product and adjust the brightness on a screen. Also think of an accessible help desk function and an understandable user manual.

Entrepreneurs (producers, suppliers, retailers, or buyers) are required to make products and digital services that fall under the directive accessible to people with disabilities from June 28. Various supervisory authorities monitor compliance with the directive:

• National Inspectorate for Digital Infrastructure (RDI) for all products covered by the directive such as ATMs, televisions, computers, or e-readers;
• Inspectorate for the Environment and Transport (ILT): for elements of passenger transport by plane, bus, train, and water;
• Authority for Financial Markets (AFM) for banking services for consumers and e-commerce services of a financial nature;
• Media Authority (Commissariaat) for e-books and services that provide access to audiovisual media services;
• Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) for e-commerce services and electronic communication services;
• Inspection JenV for the emergency number 112.

If a company does not comply with the directive, the supervisor can issue a warning or impose a fine.

If you encounter products or services that do not meet the accessibility requirements, you can report this to the relevant supervisory authority. Through this decision tree, you can find out who to contact. If you need help using the decision tree, you can call the phone number 1400.

New products that are placed on the market or offered for sale from June 28 must comply with the requirements of the European Accessibility Directive. For products and services that were placed on the market before June 28, a transition period generally applies. The duration varies by product. It may therefore happen that not all products meet the new requirements immediately after the directive comes into effect. The transition period only applies to products that are necessary for the service. When companies also provide services to new customers (or new contracts to existing customers), they must ensure that their services comply by June 28, 2025.