Accessibility compliance deadlines & timeline
Web accessibility now has hard dates on both sides of the Atlantic. The European Accessibility Act is already in force; the US DOJ Title II deadlines are coming in 2027 and 2028. Here is the full picture, with what is past and what is still upcoming.
The dates that matter
28 June 2025
The EAA applies (in force)
Covered products and services on the EU market must meet the European Accessibility Act requirements. Existing service contracts have until 28 June 2030.
26 April 2027
US DOJ Title II (larger entities)
State and local government serving 50,000 or more must meet WCAG 2.1 AA. Smaller entities follow on 26 April 2028.
The EAA date is now past and in force; the DOJ dates are upcoming. EAA and DOJ web rule.
What applies to me, and when
If you sell to or serve the public in the EU, the EAA already applies (since 28 June 2025), with WCAG 2.1 AA as the benchmark. If you are a US state or local government body, your DOJ Title II date is 26 April 2027 (population 50,000 or more) or 26 April 2028 (smaller). Selling ICT to the US federal government means meeting Section 508 (WCAG 2.0 AA) and providing a VPAT.
WCAG 2.1 or 2.2?
| Who you are | Your deadline | The standard |
|---|---|---|
| EU business (covered products or services) | 28 Jun 2025 | EN 301 549 / WCAG 2.1 AA. Existing service contracts have until 28 Jun 2030. |
| EU public-sector body | 2020 / 2021 | Websites from 23 Sep 2020, apps from 23 Jun 2021, plus an accessibility statement. |
| US state & local government | 26 Apr 2027 / 2028 | WCAG 2.1 AA under the DOJ Title II rule. 2027 for population 50,000 or more, 2028 for smaller entities. |
| US federal supplier | In force | Section 508 (WCAG 2.0 AA) since the 2017 refresh; prove conformance with a VPAT. |
Not sure which one is you, or whether you are in scope? Read who the EAA applies to, or get the WCAG 2.2 AA checklist.
The full timeline
Every milestone, in order
From the EU public-sector dates to the upcoming US deadlines, with the source for each step. Today is 9 June 2026.
- 23 Sep 2020Past
Public-sector websites must be accessible (Web Accessibility Directive)
Under Directive (EU) 2016/2102, all public-sector websites (not just new ones) had to meet the accessibility requirements from this date. Public-sector bodies also publish an accessibility statement.
- 23 Jun 2021Past
Public-sector mobile apps must be accessible
The Web Accessibility Directive extended to public-sector mobile applications from this date, completing the public-sector rollout.
- 28 Jun 2022Past
EAA transposition deadline
Member states had to transpose the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) into national law by this date, so the rules would be ready to apply in 2025.
- 28 Jun 2025In force
The EAA applies
The main go-live for the private sector. From this date, covered products and services placed on the EU market must meet the EAA accessibility requirements. This date is now in force.
- 26 Apr 2027Upcoming
US DOJ Title II: larger government entities
State and local government entities serving populations of 50,000 or more must meet WCAG 2.1 AA. The deadline was extended by one year in April 2026.
- 26 Apr 2028Upcoming
US DOJ Title II: smaller entities and special districts
State and local government entities serving fewer than 50,000 people, and special district governments, must meet WCAG 2.1 AA. Also extended by a year in April 2026.
- 28 Jun 2030Upcoming
EAA service-contract transition ends
Service contracts already in force before 28 June 2025 may continue until this date. After it, they too must comply. Self-service terminals in use before 28 Jun 2025 can run to the end of their economic life, up to 20 years.
At a glance
The four regimes, and where they stand
The laws that set web accessibility deadlines, and whether each is in force or still upcoming.
European Accessibility Act (EU, private sector)
Web Accessibility Directive (EU, public sector)
DOJ Title II rule (US state & local government)
Section 508 (US federal procurement)
The deadline is not the work
This is guidance, not legal advice
Sources
- [1]Directive (EU) 2019/882 (European Accessibility Act), EUR-Lexretrieved 9 Jun 2026
- [2]European Commission: European Accessibility Actretrieved 9 Jun 2026
- [3]EUR-Lex summary: Web Accessibility Directive (2016/2102)retrieved 9 Jun 2026
- [4]US DOJ: ADA Title II web rule fact sheetretrieved 9 Jun 2026
- [5]US Access Board: Section 508 / ICT standardsretrieved 9 Jun 2026
- [6]EN 301 549 v3.2.1, the EU harmonised ICT accessibility standard (ETSI)retrieved 9 Jun 2026
The Accessibility Brief
Get alerted when a deadline moves
We track the EAA, the DOJ rule and Section 508 so you don't. Plain-English alerts the moment a date or standard changes.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.