The clock is ticking for every organisation doing business within the European Union (EU).
For the past eight years, public-sector organisations have been required to meet accessibility standards. And now, the spotlight is on private businesses. If you serve consumers in the EU, mark your calendars. The deadline for compliance with the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is June 2025.
This recent law aims to improve the daily lives of roughly 87 million people in the EU living with disabilities. That’s almost one in five Europeans.
Complementing existing EU regulations like EN 301 549 (the harmonised European standard for digital accessibility) and the Web Accessibility Directive, the EAA will hold businesses accountable for the accessibility of a variety of products and services, including public transport, banking, computers, TVs, e-books, online shops, and more. And it will make online experiences a whole lot smoother for people with disabilities.
No break from EU compliance: What Brexit means for UK accessibility
It’s a common misconception that businesses outside the EU can ignore the EAA. However, despite the UK’s departure from the EU, UK-based organisations are still covered by the law if they have EU-based customers.
The EAA aims to harmonise varying accessibility regulations across Europe, and it applies to any organisation doing business within the EU. Ultimately, if your organisation sells to customers within EU Member States, compliance with the EAA is a must.
Every digital product and service is under close examination, and the consequences for neglecting to meet EAA compliance standards are significant.
So, what exactly are the risks of non-compliance?
The risks of non-compliance
Failure to align with the EAA’s requirements could result in significant fines (up to €3 million). Businesses also risk their products and services being pulled from the market. In some cases, they might even lose their right to operate.
Users are empowered to take action against non-compliant organisations. If they encounter an inaccessible product or service, they can file formal complaints. These complaints are more than a formality: they’ll be reviewed and followed up on. Companies will need to take necessary corrective measures to make their offerings accessible.
While the stakes for non-compliance are high, so are the opportunities for improvement, inclusion and innovation as organisations prioritise accessibility.
The EAA advantage: a win-win for businesses and users
The EAA is a clear win-win for both businesses and consumers. For businesses, especially smaller ones, it simplifies trading across EU borders by setting common accessibility standards. This means organisations can confidently sell their products and services all over the EU without the need to navigate the different regulations in each country.
For consumers, the act will result in a much more inclusive range of product and service options, at competitive prices. Currently, many people with disabilities have fewer choices due to limited accessibility.
The EAA aims to change that by expanding the offerings that are available for users and increasing competition among brands. This shift will ultimately empower customers, giving them access to products and services that are non-discriminatory.
The advantages of universally accessible features aren’t limited to people with disabilities—they improve digital experiences for everyone. Take ATMs, for example. When in a noisy or dimly-lit place, accessibility features such as clear visual and audio cues can make a huge difference for every user.
By complying with the EAA, businesses can provide all users, regardless of disability, with equal access to their offerings.
Bring your digital assets into EAA compliance
While the EAA mandates that products and services are accessible to people with disabilities, it’s important to note that it does not prescribe specific technical standards for accessibility.
The presumed standard for EAA compliance is the voluntary EU harmonised standard EN 301 549. This standard draws from established accessibility guidelines, specifically, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Businesses can take several proactive steps to align with this standard. Here are three ways to get started:
1. Incorporate automated remediation tools: Web accessibility is a continuous process, and it can be time-consuming. But automated remediation tools can make immediate improvements to your site’s accessibility. For example, the UserWay AI-Powered Accessibility Widget automatically finds common accessibility issues and fixes them for the end user. Additionally, the Widget’s user personalisation tools allow visitors to customise your website’s user interface based on their preferences.
2. Audit your digital assets: EU Member States are required to carry out regular compliance checks to ensure organisations are meeting their obligations under the EAA. A practical next step towards EAA compliance is to evaluate your digital assets’ accessibility with an auditing solution. This evaluation may include automated scans as well as manual testing. Accessibility audits will reveal any accessibility barriers in important user journeys and provide the information you need to enhance usability.
3. Consult accessibility experts: Partnering with a globally trusted third-party digital accessibility expert is recommended for businesses who must comply with the EAA. These experts will help you navigate evolving regulations, while providing you with the specific tools and technical guidance necessary to maintain long-term compliance.
Businesses should expect complying with the EAA to be a dynamic, ongoing journey. It will be a collective effort, requiring participation from individuals across your organisation. From designers and developers to content creators, every team member should play a role in building accessible digital experiences.
The EU represents a major change for businesses and for the users they serve. Are you ready to be at the forefront of that change?
by Michelle Reid, senior content writer, UserWay | Sponsored
