What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?

The EAA is EU legislation requiring digital products and services — including ebooks — to meet accessibility standards. It applies to products sold in the EU market from June 28, 2025.

Does the EAA apply to fixed-layout EPUBs?

Yes. Fixed-layout EPUBs sold in the EU must include accessibility features: an invisible text layer for screen readers, proper language metadata, alt text for images, and logical reading order.

How do most converters fail at EAA compliance?

Most fixed-layout converters produce image-only pages with no text layer. Screen readers see each page as a single image and cannot read the content, making the EPUB inaccessible under EAA requirements.

How does MJ Convert Systems handle accessibility?

Advanced Live Text Mode injects a live invisible text layer, sets dc:language, adds EPUB Accessibility 1.1 schema.org metadata, and supports screen readers via that text layer — with known gaps (e.g. interior alt text 'Page N', page-number TOC) in active development. Visual Perfection Mode uses image-based pages optimised for KDP fidelity and is not for EAA compliance.

What happens if my ebook is not EAA compliant?

EU member states set their own enforcement mechanisms, which can include fines, market withdrawal orders, and legal action. Non-compliant products may also be refused by platforms serving EU customers.

Meeting EAA 2026 Standards for Fixed-Layout E-books

The European Accessibility Act requires digital products to be accessible. Learn how MJ Convert Systems Advanced Live Text Mode works toward EAA-aligned fixed-layout EPUBs — and when Visual Perfection Mode is the better fit.

By Magnus | Published 2026-04-19 | Category: Accessibility

The European Accessibility Act requires ebooks sold in the EU to be accessible to people with disabilities. For fixed-layout EPUBs, that typically means a live text layer for screen readers, language metadata, and structured navigation — delivered in MJ Convert Systems via Advanced Live Text Mode. Visual Perfection Mode trades those capabilities for pixel-perfect image pages.

Timeline of European Accessibility Act milestones from directive adoption to enforcement

Automated fixed-layout conversion in Advanced Live Text Mode uses live text reconstruction to work toward 2026 legal expectations for screen readers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?: The EAA is EU legislation requiring digital products and services — including ebooks — to meet accessibility standards. It applies to products sold in the EU market from June 28, 2025.
Does the EAA apply to fixed-layout EPUBs?: Yes. Fixed-layout EPUBs sold in the EU must include accessibility features: an invisible text layer for screen readers, proper language metadata, alt text for images, and logical reading order.
How do most converters fail at EAA compliance?: Most fixed-layout converters produce image-only pages with no text layer. Screen readers see each page as a single image and cannot read the content, making the EPUB inaccessible under EAA requirements.
How does MJ Convert Systems handle accessibility?: Advanced Live Text Mode injects a live invisible text layer, sets dc:language, adds EPUB Accessibility 1.1 schema.org metadata, and supports screen readers via that text layer — with known gaps (e.g. interior alt text 'Page N', page-number TOC) in active development. Visual Perfection Mode uses image-based pages optimised for KDP fidelity and is not for EAA compliance.
What happens if my ebook is not EAA compliant?: EU member states set their own enforcement mechanisms, which can include fines, market withdrawal orders, and legal action. Non-compliant products may also be refused by platforms serving EU customers.

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