Annex I Section VII: Functional performance criteria
all operators · Annex I Section VII
In order to maximise the foreseeable use by persons with disabilities, when the accessibility requirements, set out in Sections I to VI of this Annex, do not address one or more functions of the design and production of products or the provision of services those functions or means shall be accessible by complying with the related functional performance criteria. Those functional performance criteria may only be used as an alternative to one or more specific technical requirements, when these are referred to in the accessibility requirements, if and only if the application of the relevant functional performance criteria complies with the accessibility requirements and it determines that the design and production of products and the provision of services results in equivalent or increased accessibility for the foreseable use by persons with disabilities.
How to satisfy it: The fallback, and it matters more here than in most instruments because no harmonised standard is cited in the Official Journal under this Directive. Two limbs: these criteria fill gaps where Sections I to VI do not address a function, AND they may substitute for a specific technical requirement only if the result is equivalent or better. Derivative by construction — a microenterprise providing services, exempt from Sections III and IV under Article 4(5), has nothing for the services limb to operate on.
Annex I Section VII on EUR-Lex · as of 2026-08-14 · Directive (EU) 2019/882
Annex I Section VII (a): Usage without vision
all operators · Annex I Section VII (a)
Where the product or service provides visual modes of operation, it shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require vision.
Annex I Section VII (a) on EUR-Lex · as of 2026-08-14 · Directive (EU) 2019/882
Annex I Section VII (b): Usage with limited vision
all operators · Annex I Section VII (b)
Where the product or service provides visual modes of operation, it shall provide at least one mode of operation that enables users to operate the product with limited vision.
Annex I Section VII (b) on EUR-Lex · as of 2026-08-14 · Directive (EU) 2019/882
Annex I Section VII (c): Usage without perception of colour
all operators · Annex I Section VII (c)
Where the product or service provides visual modes of operation, it shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require user perception of colour.
Annex I Section VII (c) on EUR-Lex · as of 2026-08-14 · Directive (EU) 2019/882
Annex I Section VII (d): Usage without hearing
all operators · Annex I Section VII (d)
Where the product or service provides auditory modes of operation, it shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require hearing.
Annex I Section VII (d) on EUR-Lex · as of 2026-08-14 · Directive (EU) 2019/882
Annex I Section VII (e): Usage with limited hearing
all operators · Annex I Section VII (e)
Where the product or service provides auditory modes of operation, it shall provide at least one mode of operation with enhanced audio features that enables users with limited hearing to operate the product.
Annex I Section VII (e) on EUR-Lex · as of 2026-08-14 · Directive (EU) 2019/882
Annex I Section VII (f): Usage without vocal capability
all operators · Annex I Section VII (f)
Where the product or service requires vocal input from users, it shall provide at least one mode of operation that does not require vocal input. Vocal input includes any orally-generated sounds like speech, whistles or clicks.
Annex I Section VII (f) on EUR-Lex · as of 2026-08-14 · Directive (EU) 2019/882
Annex I Section VII (g): Usage with limited manipulation or strength
all operators · Annex I Section VII (g)
Where the product or service requires manual actions, it shall provide at least one mode of operation that enables users to make use of the product through alternative actions not requiring fine motor control and manipulation, hand strength or operation of more than one control at the same time.
Annex I Section VII (g) on EUR-Lex · as of 2026-08-14 · Directive (EU) 2019/882
Annex I Section VII (h): Usage with limited reach
all operators · Annex I Section VII (h)
The operational elements of products shall be within reach of all users. Where the product or service provides a manual mode of operation, it shall provide at least one mode of operation that is operable with limited reach and limited strength.
Annex I Section VII (h) on EUR-Lex · as of 2026-08-14 · Directive (EU) 2019/882
Annex I Section VII (i): Minimising the risk of triggering photosensitive seizures
all operators · Annex I Section VII (i)
Where the product provides visual modes of operation, it shall avoid modes of operation that trigger photosensitive seizures.
Annex I Section VII (i) on EUR-Lex · as of 2026-08-14 · Directive (EU) 2019/882
Annex I Section VII (j): Usage with limited cognition
all operators · Annex I Section VII (j)
The product or service shall provide at least one mode of operation incorporating features that make it simpler and easier to use.
Annex I Section VII (j) on EUR-Lex · as of 2026-08-14 · Directive (EU) 2019/882
Annex I Section VII (k): Privacy
all operators · Annex I Section VII (k)
Where the product or service incorporates features that are provided for accessibility, it shall provide at least one mode of operation that maintains privacy when using those features that are provided for accessibility.
Annex I Section VII (k) on EUR-Lex · as of 2026-08-14 · Directive (EU) 2019/882
Every quoted requirement on this page is verbatim Official Journal text. The surrounding guidance is Legalithm’s commentary and is not regulation. This page states the obligation and its legal basis; it is not legal advice, and the corpus has not been reviewed by counsel.
