The European Accessibility Act and Your Ebooks Part 1 of 2

If you want your ebook to reach more readers, here’s a number to know: 135 million people in Europe rely on accessible reading formats. Beginning June 2025, ebooks distributed in the EU must meet new accessibility standards. By preparing now, indie authors can protect their sales channels, comply with new rules, and welcome a wider audience.

This change comes from the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which is a set of rules designed to make digital products, including ebooks, usable by as many readers as possible.

For authors, this is about much more than compliance. It’s about opening your work to a wider audience, safeguarding your sales, and future-proofing your book as similar regulations roll out worldwide.

Even if you’re an indie author or a small publisher, understanding the basics now will save time and stress later. By taking a few simple steps before you publish, you can expand your reach and create a reading experience that feels welcoming to every reader.

What Is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU law designed to make digital products, including ebooks, easier to use for everyone. It was passed in 2019 and took effect for ebooks distributed in the EU in June 2025.

Here’s what that means for authors:

• New ebooks published or distributed in the EU after June 2025 must comply with the EAA’s accessibility standards.

• Existing ebooks already on the market have until 2029 to meet those standards.

• Microbusinesses (fewer than 10 employees and under €2 million annually) may be technically exempt, but large retailers and distributors are expected to require compliance anyway.

• In practical terms, this law requires features like tagged headings, clear navigation, and descriptive alt-text for images. If you’re already publishing in EPUB3, you may have much of this in place.

With a few adjustments, you can make your ebook more welcoming to readers who use assistive technologies, improving usability for everyone in the process. Rather than seeing the EAA as a hurdle, think of it as an opportunity to expand your reach and future-proof your work.

What Books Are Affected

Any ebook you distribute in the EU, including through “expanded distribution” via platforms like KDP or IngramSpark, will need to meet these new standards.

Even if you’re a very small publisher or indie author, retailers may still require compliance as a condition of listing your book. The safest plan is to implement accessibility features for all new titles now and develop a schedule to update older titles before 2029.

 

Basic Accessibility Requirements for Ebooks

The EAA focuses on making digital content usable for everyone, and for ebooks, that means a few key features. If you’re already publishing in EPUB3, much of this structure is built in. Still, it’s worth checking to be sure your files meet the current standards.

Here are the basics your ebook should include:

• Clear Document Structure: Use proper heading tags, paragraph styles, and list formatting so screen readers can follow the content in order. Avoid “manual” formatting like bolding or larger fonts to indicate a heading.

• Logical Navigation: Provide a tagged, linked Table of Contents. Headings should be consistent and predictable so readers can jump between sections easily.

• Accessible Links and Interactive Elements: If your ebook includes links or interactive forms, make sure they’re easy to see, clearly labeled, and usable with assistive technology.

• Descriptive Alt-Text for Images:  Add alternative text that describes each meaningful image so readers using screen readers can experience the same information as sighted readers. (We'll cover this in more detail in Part 2 of this series.)

Pro Tip: To check if your files already include the required features, download the free ACE by Daisy app that the pros use to test epubs. Many modern EPUB workflows already comply, but it’s always worth confirming before you distribute your ebook.

For More Information:

EPUB Accessibility Requirements: https://www.w3.org/TR/epub-a11y-11/  

Born Accessible Resources: https://bornaccessible.benetech.org/resources/

Sell More Inclusive Books

Up to 25% of the population is either dyslexic or visually impaired. Think of them as a chance to reach more readers and show inclusivity in action. Accessibility features don’t just help people with visual or cognitive differences; they improve usability for everyone, such as adjustable fonts and clear navigation.

●     Expand your readership. Millions rely on accessible ebooks.

●     Boost your reputation. Inclusive books build trust and goodwill.

●     Future-proof your work. Standards like this are spreading globally; adopting them now means less work later.

Final Thoughts

The European Accessibility Act is more than a compliance checklist, it’s a chance to create ebooks that are easier to use, more widely accepted, and more welcoming to every reader. By building accessibility into your publishing process now, you’re not only future-proofing your work, you’re showing your readers you value them.

If you’re unsure where to start, talk with your designer or ebook service provider. Ask about their accessibility practices and let them guide you on what’s already included and what needs to be added in order to sell your ebook in the EU. Small steps now, like understanding alt-text, can save time, prevent costly updates, and expand your audience long after your book launches.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series, where we’ll focus on Alt-Text, the one accessibility element only you, the author, can provide.

For more self-publishing tips and to follow this series, visit: https://www.mmwbooks.com/blog

If you found this helpful, follow or subscribe to my newsletter, Designing Your Story on LinkedIn for more practical book-design tips and self-publishing insights.

#DesigningYourStory #SelfPublishingTips #BookDesign #PublishingJourney #IndieAuthors #MMWBooks #EbookAccessibility #EuropeanAccessibilityAct