Skip to content
Blog
6 minute read
3 Feb 2025

European Accessibility Act: What You Need to Know Before June 2025 

Topics
Digital accessibility
For business

Did you know that 1.3 billion people worldwide live with disabilities? Yet, about 95% of businesses still don’t meet accessibility standards (World Health Organization). This highlights an urgent need for you to prioritize accessibility in your products and services. By doing so, you’re not just complying with the law—you’re helping build an inclusive society where everyone can participate equally.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) takes this idea forward by setting clear rules to make goods and services accessible across the EU.

What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?

The European Accessibility Act is a directive adopted by the EU to establish common accessibility standards across member states. It aims to remove barriers faced by people with disabilities in accessing goods and services, ensuring they can participate equally in physical and digital environments. 

The EAA will come into effect on June 28th, 2025, giving businesses and organizations time to adapt and comply with its requirements.  

Who relies on the EAA? 

The EAA is primarily designed to help individuals with disabilities, including:

  • People with visual impairments who rely on screen readers or braille displays.
  • Individuals with hearing impairments who require subtitles or sign language interpretation.
  • People with mobility challenges needing physical adaptations, such as wheelchair-accessible kiosks. 

Does the EAA apply to you?  

If you operate in any of the 27 EU member states or offer goods and services to customers in the EU, this law applies to you—even if your business is based outside the EU.

The industries that are the most affected by the EAA include:

  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT): Hardware and software, including computers, operating systems, and smartphones, must be accessible.
  • Telecommunications: Providers must offer accessible communication services for individuals with disabilities.
  • Broadcasting and Media Companies: Broadcasters and streaming platforms must include features like closed captions and audio descriptions.
  • Transportation Services: Ticketing machines and real-time travel information must cater to all users.
  • Banking and Financial Services: ATMs and online banking platforms must provide accessibility features.
  • E-Books and E-Commerce: Digital content and platforms must ensure inclusive access for all users.

Keep in mind that small businesses with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover below €2 million don’t have to comply with this law. 

What happens if you don’t comply?

The consequences of failing to meet EAA standards vary by country. For example:

  • In the Netherlands, non-compliance can result in fines of up to €450,000 for serious violations, depending on the nature and extent of the issue.
  • In Germany, fines can reach up to €500,000, alongside restrictions on operations if accessibility laws are ignored.
  • In Sweden, fines can reach up to €200,000, depending on the severity of the violation. 

Failure to comply with accessibility standards can lead to other consequences. These can include mandatory accessibility audits, removal of non-compliant products or services from the market, and restrictions on doing business within the EU. Non-compliance can also damage your company’s reputation, causing you to lose customers.

What accessibility standards do you need to meet? 

The EAA has clear accessibility requirements you must follow to ensure inclusivity across their products and services. Some key examples include:

Web Content Accessibility: Websites and apps must incorporate alt text for images, captions for video content, and navigability through keyboards to support users with visual or motor impairments.

Public Interfaces: Physical kiosks, such as ticket machines or ATMs, need features like braille keypads, audio guidance, and designs that are accessible to wheelchair users. 

Digital Media: Video players, e-learning platforms and learning management systems (LMS) need to ensure that their interfaces are fully accessible by including features such as screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation and providing transcripts or subtitles for audio and video content.

Consumer Products: Devices, such as smartphones or tablets, should integrate assistive technologies like voice commands, high-contrast modes, and screen readers.

Transportation Services: Real-time updates about routes or schedules should be available in both audio and visual formats, ensuring everyone can access travel information easily.

How to ensure compliance with the European Accessibility Act

1. Understand how EAA is implemented in your country

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) establishes a common framework for accessibility across the EU, but each member state is responsible for incorporating it into its national legal system. This means that while the core accessibility requirements remain the same, the way they are applied, monitored, and enforced can differ between countries.

For example, in Sweden, the EAA has been transformed into national law. The Swedish law focuses on digital services such as e-commerce, banking, and telecommunications, requiring businesses to ensure that their online platforms and customer interactions meet accessibility standards.

In Germany, the EAA has been incorporated into the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG), or Accessibility Strengthening Act. While this law aligns with the EAA, it also introduces additional national requirements. A key focus of the German approach is that accessibility should be built into products and services from the beginning, rather than being added later.

Since each EU country tailors the EAA to its national legal framework, you need to research and understand country-specific obligations. Checking official government guidance, consulting national regulatory bodies, and seeking legal advice will help ensure full compliance.

2. Conduct a comprehensive accessibility audit

Once you understand the national regulations, they should evaluate their current level of accessibility by conducting a full digital accessibility audit. This process helps identify barriers that may prevent users with disabilities from accessing digital products and services. The audit should cover all digital platforms, including websites, mobile applications, digital documents, and online services.

A thorough audit involves both automated and manual testing to ensure compliance with recognized accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and EN 301 549 (European ICT Accessibility Standard). It is also beneficial to conduct real-world testing with individuals with disabilities, as this helps understand the real usability challenges. The findings from the audit will serve as your roadmap for necessary improvements, helping address any accessibility gaps before the 2025 deadline.

3. Develop and implement an action plan

After completing an accessibility audit, you should create a structured action plan to address the issues. This plan should outline the necessary improvements, set clear deadlines, and allocate the appropriate resources to ensure that accessibility is fully integrated into digital services.

4. Provide accessibility training for staff

Ensuring compliance with the EAA is not just about technical fixes—it requires a company-wide commitment to accessibility. Employees involved in web development, content creation, customer service, and compliance should be trained on accessibility best practices and their role in maintaining compliance. By providing ongoing training and fostering awareness within your organization, you can ensure that accessibility remains a priority at every stage of product and service development.

5. Hire accessibility experts

Since accessibility regulations can be complex, you may benefit from consulting with accessibility experts, legal professionals, or advocacy organizations. External specialists can help conduct detailed audits, provide recommendations for meeting national accessibility standards, and assist with user testing to ensure that digital platforms are inclusive.

For businesses operating in multiple EU countries, accessibility consultants can offer valuable guidance on navigating differences in national regulations and ensuring compliance across all markets. Engaging with experts can speed up the compliance process and help you develop a strong accessibility strategy and avoid fines.

6. Implement continuous testing and improvement

Achieving compliance with the EAA is not a one-time effort. You must continuously monitor and test your digital platforms to maintain accessibility as technology, regulations, and user expectations evolve. Regular usability testing with people with disabilities ensures that services remain inclusive, while periodic audits help identify new barriers that may emerge over time.

7. Monitor and update compliance efforts

As accessibility regulations continue to evolve, you must stay informed about legal updates and emerging best practices. Keeping track of changes at both the EU and national levels is essential to maintaining compliance. You should conduct regular reviews of their digital accessibility performance and make adjustments as needed. Assigning internal accountability, such as an accessibility officer or dedicated compliance team, can help ensure that accessibility remains a long-term priority.

Why you should act now

The European Accessibility Act 2025 is a significant step towards an inclusive society. By complying with its requirements, you can:

Enhance your reputation
Reach a wider audience
Avoid legal penalties
Contribute to a fairer future

With the deadline approaching, now is the time to start making the necessary changes to stay compliant.

Interesting topics