European Accessibility Act 2025: What you need to know

The European Accessibility Act (EAA), which will enter into force in June 2025, aims to make digital content more accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. The directive affects businesses with a digital presence and calls on them to prioritise inclusion and ensure that all users can interact with their websites, apps and digital services.

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The EAA is part of the EU’s initiative to create an inclusive digital environment by improving usability for people with disabilities. The aim of the new directive is to make key services, such as e-commerce, banking and transport websites, fully accessible. It is in line with the EU’s broader goal of equality and inclusion in member states by introducing accessibility standards.

Who is affected by the EAA?

The EAA affects medium and large enterprises operating in the following sectors:

• E-commerce: online shops and marketplaces.
• Financial services: banks, insurance companies and other digital financial platforms
• Transport: Airlines, railways, public transport and ticket booking services.
• Telecommunications: Mobile and internet service providers.

These organisations must ensure that their digital services are accessible according to WCAG 2.1 AA standards. Smaller companies (less than 10 employees and a turnover below €2 million) are not included by these requirements, but medium and large companies must comply regardless of their sector.

WCAG 2.1 AA standards

To comply with the EAA, companies must adapt their digital platforms according to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA. These guidelines include specific measures to make content accessible, this means:

• Text alternatives for images to help users with visual impairments.
• Keyboard navigation for full access without a mouse.
• Screen reader compatibility to enable reading of text for users with visual impairments.
• Enhanced contrast levels for improved readability.

By following these standards, businesses can create websites and digital services that cater for users with different types of disabilities, from visual and hearing impairments to cognitive and physical disabilities.

What you need to do

To comply with the EAA by 2025, you should start preparing now. Key steps include:

• Conduct an accessibility audit: Start by assessing the current level of accessibility of your website and other digital platforms. If you’re not sure how to do this, contact us and we’ll do it for you.
• Work with web developers: Implement changes that align your website with WCAG 2.1 standards. This could mean updating content, improving navigation or adding accessibility tools.
• Continuous testing and updates: Accessibility is not a one-off action. Therefore, test your digital services regularly to ensure that they remain compliant and offer a good user experience for all visitors.

Consequences of non-compliance

Non-compliance with the EAA can lead to significant sanctions, including fines and potential legal action. Businesses also risk damaging their reputation as accessibility becomes an increasingly important issue for consumers. Preparing well in advance will help avoid these consequences while ensuring your business is in line with the new requirements. Do you want to make sure you comply with the new directives?

The benefits of accessibility

The benefits of complying with the EAA go beyond the legal requirements. Better accessibility leads to:

• Improved user experience: Accessible websites are easier for everyone to navigate, increasing customer satisfaction and engagement.
• Wider audience: Making your website accessible opens it up to millions of users with disabilities who would otherwise not be able to interact with your services.
• Brand reputation: prioritising accessibility can strengthen your brand and show that you care about inclusion and opportunities for all users.

To summarise

With the EAA deadline fast approaching, businesses should prioritise making their digital services accessible. Acting now will not only avoid penalties, but also improve the user experience and strengthen your reputation. Accessibility is about more than just compliance – it’s about creating a web for everyone, and meeting these standards will put your business at the forefront.