Put ebook accessibility on the production schedule before the file is ready for publication.
What changed in 2025
EU accessibility rules cover e-books among other products and services. The EU accessibility guidance states that the requirements apply to products and services placed on the market after June 28, 2025.
In Estonia, accessibility requirements for services apply from June 28, 2025, according to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority.
Where the exceptions matter
EU exceptions include products and services that entered the market during the transition period. The EU guidance also exempts service businesses with fewer than ten employees and turnover under €2 million.
Estonia's Products and Services Accessibility Act does not apply to microenterprises providing services. Under Estonia's definition, a microenterprise employs fewer than ten people and has either an annual turnover or an annual balance sheet total no greater than €2 million.
Content, navigation and flexible presentation
General EU provisions
Under the EU's general accessibility guidance, products and services, including accompanying customer support tools or instruction manuals, should be suitable for people with cognitive disabilities. The EU guidance calls for different input and output options, such as keyboard, voice and touch, and compatibility with assistive technologies such as voice control and screen readers.
EU general guidance also calls for a consistent layout with logical navigation, enough time to complete tasks and the avoidance of seizure-inducing visuals such as flashing content. Additional specific accessibility rules may apply within the EU, depending on the product or service.
Estonia's ebook provisions
For an ebook covered by Estonia's requirements, the digital file must enable assistive technologies to function properly while it is being used.
Under Estonia's ebook requirements, users with a disability must be able to reach the book's content and navigate within it. Navigation covers the layout as well as the content. The service must also allow those users to perceive the ebook's structure.
Estonia's ebook requirements also call for flexibility: users with a disability must have options for presenting the content.
Text, audio and accessibility information
Where an ebook contains both text and audio, Estonia's requirements call for the two to be presented synchronously during provision of the service.
In Estonia, the ebook must also be discoverable through metadata containing information about its accessibility features.