From June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Directive will come into effect for publishers wishing to publish ebooks within the European Union, regardless of whether they are established in the EU or not. Does this apply to you? What are the accessibility requirements? And what are the risks in the event of an inspection?
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Digital technology creates new opportunities for people with disabilities, and the book industry has a key role to play in ensuring content is accessible to all. This is the goal of the European Directive on accessible ebooks.
As the first link in the chain, publishers are directly impacted by this legislation. However, other stakeholders must also be involved:
Initially, only new releases will be affected. Digital books published before June 28, 2025, will not be subject to this legal requirement until June 28, 2030.
All digital books published within the European Union must meet specific accessibility criteria, regardless of where you are based. These include:
Does this apply to all publishers wishing to publish ebooks within the European Union? You may be eligible for an exemption from accessibility requirements under the following conditions:
If your publishing house has fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet total not exceeding 2 million euros, you may qualify for an exemption.
An exemption may be granted if making a book accessible would require altering its content in a way that compromises its integrity. This applies to cases where content and form are inseparable, such as comic books.
Exemptions based on fundamental content changes or disproportionate burden must be formally declared and justified in accordance with a procedure that, for the time being, is likely to be country-specific.
In the meantime, the next section will provide an analysis and updates on the practical application of the European Directive on accessible digital books, broken down by country.
While the legislative framework for ebook accessibility applies across the European Union, its implementation procedures may vary by country.
Publishers will need to register the ebooks they claim as exemptions to the supervisory authorities in each country where their ebooks are sold, as there is currently no provision for a European one-stop shop.
With just a few months until enforcement begins, national authorities are gradually releasing details on compliance checks and potential risks.
We’ll be sharing these updates in the coming weeks. Follow us and subscribe to the De Marque Academy to stay informed!
