Video Accessibility Requirements: Your EAA Compliance Checklist for 2025

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is no longer on the horizon; it entered into force on June 28, 2025. The law now applies to any organisation that offers digital products or services to EU consumers, including websites, mobile apps, and media content.

Because video is one of the most engaging (and legally risky) content types, getting it wrong can expose brands to complaints, fines, and reputational damage. This guide unpacks exactly what “accessible video” means under the EAA and provides a practical checklist you can run through today.

European Accessibility Act Checklist for Digital Compliance

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) entered into force on June 28, 2025. It applies to any organization that offers digital products or services to EU consumers, including:

• Websites

• Mobile applications

• Streaming services

• Video content in marketing, onboarding, and customer support

Video is one of the most visible, and legally risky, content types under the EAA. Failure to make video content accessible can result in:

• Financial penalties (fines vary by Member State)

• Removal from the EU market

• Exclusion from public procurement

• Reputational damage that can impact brand trust

This guide explains exactly what “accessible video” means under the EAA, how it relates to EN 301 549 and WCAG 2.1 AA, and gives you a video accessibility checklist and roadmap to compliance.

Why the EAA Focuses on Video

Video is deeply embedded in the modern customer journey:

• E-commerce: Product explainers, promotional campaigns, live shopping events

• SaaS & Apps: How-to tutorials, feature launches, onboarding videos

• Hospitality & Travel: Destination overviews, booking walkthroughs, in-room guides

• Retail: Staff training modules, marketing campaigns, customer service help videos

Under the EAA, audiovisual media services must ensure that people with disabilities can access the same information and functionality as other users. This requires:

• Captions for people who are deaf or hard of hearing

• Audio descriptions for people who are blind or low-vision

• Accessible video players compatible with assistive technologies

• Synchronized delivery of all accessibility features

These requirements map to EN 301 549, which is the EU’s harmonized accessibility standard, and reference the minimum technical standard of WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

EAA Video Accessibility Checklist

The following checklist draws from EN 301 549 Chapter 7 (Web) and WCAG requirements for audiovisual content.

1. Captions

• Provide accurate, synchronized captions for all prerecorded and live video content.

• Include speaker identification and non-speech elements (e.g., music cues, sound effects).

• Captions must be available in the same language(s) as the video’s primary dialogue.

2. Audio Description

• Provide audio description for essential visual content that is not explained in dialogue.

• Ensure descriptions are synchronized and give equal access to information.

3. Sign Language (When Required)

• Offer sign language interpretation where necessary to provide equivalent access.

• Requirements may vary depending on audience and national law—monitor your market-specific guidance.

4. Accessible Video Players

• All player controls (play, pause, volume, captions on/off) must be keyboard operable.

• Players must support assistive technologies like screen readers and voice control.

• Ensure color contrast for player controls meets WCAG standards.

5. Synchronization

• Captions, audio descriptions, and sign language must be synchronized with the video.

• Users must be able to toggle features on/off independently.

6. Electronic Program Guides (EPGs)

• For platforms that include EPGs, ensure accessibility metadata is present.

• Allow independent navigation without relying on sight or hearing.

7. Documentation & Testing

• Maintain internal documentation of compliance checks for each video.

• Test with assistive technology users in addition to automated checks.

Three-Phase Roadmap to Compliance

The UsableNet + 3Play Media EAA Checklist recommends this phased approach:

Phase 1 – Establish Understanding & Policy

• Review your country’s EAA transposition and identify any stricter requirements.

• Define roles, timelines, and market-specific deliverables.

• Create a formal video accessibility policy to guide content creation.

Phase 2 – Audit & Gap Analysis

• Inventory all current video assets, noting location, format, and accessibility status.

• Identify missing accessibility features and prioritize based on:

  • User impact (critical instructional videos first)

  • Legal risk (high-visibility, high-traffic content)

• Include third-party hosted videos in your review—your compliance responsibility doesn’t stop at your own servers.

Phase 3 – Continuous Monitoring & Feedback

• Add video accessibility checks to your QA process.

• Schedule regular audits to catch regressions.

• Provide a clear user feedback channel for accessibility issues.

Addressing Legacy Video Content

All videos, regardless of publication date, must meet accessibility standards.

Triage Method for Backlog Content:

1. High Priority: High-traffic, business-critical videos with significant accessibility gaps.

2. Medium Priority: Lower-traffic videos that can be fixed quickly.

3. Archive or Replace: Low-value videos that require major rework.

Enforcement and Penalties for Non-Compliance

While exact fines and procedures vary by country, common EAA enforcement actions include:

• Financial penalties proportional to the severity of non-compliance.

• Suspension of services in the EU market until compliance is demonstrated.

• Public naming in government reports, leading to reputational harm.

• Exclusion from procurement bids for failing accessibility checks.

FAQs

Does my backlog video content need to comply?
Yes. The EAA applies to all consumer-facing video content, regardless of creation date.

Is auto-captioning enough?
No. Automated captions must be reviewed for accuracy, speaker labels, and non-speech audio.

When is dubbing or sign language required?
Only when needed to provide equivalent access, depending on audience needs and national law.

What are the video accessibility standards for EAA enforcement?
Standards are defined in EN 301 549, which aligns with WCAG 2.1 AA for video accessibility requirements.

Action Steps for 2025

1. Download the full EAA Checklist from UsableNet + 3Play Media.

2. Schedule a baseline audit of all video content against EN 301 549.

3. Embed accessibility into creative briefs, procurement processes, and QA testing.

4. Prioritize remediation for high-impact videos before lower-priority content.

By proactively implementing video accessibility requirements now, you reduce legal risk, protect brand reputation, and ensure that your video content is inclusive for all audiences—a strategic advantage in the EU’s competitive market.

Download your free European Accessibility Act (EAA) Checklist from UsableNet + 3Play Media for a step‑by‑step remediation workbook and roadmap.

or visit the EAA Compliance Resource Center. 

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is based on requirements in the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and EN 301 549. National transpositions may introduce additional obligations—always review your country’s official guidance.