The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is set to come into force on 28th June 2025, and itâs time to ask yourself: is your website EAA-compliant? Accessibility is no longer just a moral obligation; itâs becoming a legal requirement. The EAA ensures that digital assets must be accessible to everyone, including people with different disabilities. So… if you are compliant and you know it, clap your hands! đđŒđđŒ But if not, donât worry – thereâs still time to get on track.
Preparing for compliance might feel like a challenge, but with the right strategy and tools, itâs entirely achievable. Much like GDPR, the EAA will apply to most organisations operating within the EU, with only a few exceptions for smaller businesses. Acting now not only helps you avoid potential penalties but also positions your business as inclusive and forward-thinking. Letâs dive into what the EAA entails and how you can start preparing for a more accessible digital future.
Understanding the European Accessibility Act (EAA)
The European Accessibility Act (EAA), officially known as Directive 2019/882, is a groundbreaking step towards a more inclusive Europe. It aims to standardise accessibility rules across EU member states, ensuring that approximately 100 million people with disabilities in Europe can access a broad range of physical and digital products and services outside the public sector. As a directive, the EAA sets minimum requirements for accessibility that each member state must implement through national legislation, ensuring consistency while allowing countries to adapt the rules to their legal frameworks.
For years, the EUâs public sector has benefited from the European Web Accessibility Directive, which requires publicly funded websites to meet WCAG 2.1 standards (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). However, the private sector has remained largely exempt from such accessibility requirements. This lack of regulation has created a noticeable gap, leaving many private services inaccessible to individuals with disabilities. The EAA addresses this disparity by mandating private businesses to comply with accessibility standards, creating a more equitable environment for all.
From 28th June 2025, private organisations across the EU will be legally required to adhere to their respective national laws based on the EAAâs framework. Non-compliance could result in hefty fines, with penalties potentially reaching âŹ100,000. This directive not only encourages businesses to prioritise inclusivity but also fosters innovation, enabling equal access to digital products and services. By bridging the accessibility gap, the EAA seeks fairness and ensures that businesses contribute to a more accessible digital environment.
Why an EEA-Compliant Website Matters
Making your website EAA-compliant isnât just about avoiding penalties; itâs about inclusivity and usability. By ensuring your website is accessible, youâre breaking down barriers for individuals with disabilities and opening your business to a wider audience. Disabilities such as blindness, vision impairment, colour blindness, hearing loss, motor limitations, and cognitive impairments can all affect how people interact with your site. Creating an accessible website shows that you value equality and want everyone, regardless of ability, to engage with your content.
Ignoring accessibility isnât just ethically questionable; itâs also bad business. We from Aridane.Marketing see it often… millions of websites fail to meet accessibility standards, yet many companies assume these sites “work fine”. The reality is that inaccessible websites alienate a large group of users, leading to missed opportunities for connection, engagement, and sales. Making your website EAA-compliant helps you reach untapped markets, foster loyalty, and enhance user satisfaction. Accessibility improves usability for all visitors, not just those with disabilities, making your site more intuitive and efficient.
Beyond legal and commercial benefits, accessibility promotes a more inclusive digital world. By making accessibility a priority, your business contributes to a fairer, more equitable online space, where everyone can engage and thrive. As the EAA itself notes:
âThe demand for accessible products and services is high and the number of persons with disabilities is projected to increase significantly. An environment where products and services are more accessible allows for a more inclusive society and facilitates independent living for persons with disabilities.â
Who must comply with EAA website regulations?
The EAA applies generally to many businesses, especially those offering digital services or products in the EU. If your website facilitates e-commerce or provides digital services for remuneration, it is likely to be subject to EAA rules. This includes online shops and platforms offering paid subscriptions, consultations or downloadable content. Basically, if a consumer can enter into a contract through your website (whether to buy a product or subscribe to a service) you must make your website EAA-compliant. Even websites that are not hosted in the EU but provide services to European residents are obliged to comply with the rules.
The EAA is wide-ranging and covers many products and services considered essential to everyday life. These include computers, ticket vending machines, e-book readers, telephone services, and e-commerce platforms. The aim is to ensure that these products and services are accessible to everyone. However, there are exceptions. Micro-enterprises (companies with less than ten employees and a turnover of less than EUR 2 million) are currently exempt. In addition, companies facing an undue burden due to significant financial or technical constraints may be exempt, but the bar for proving this is very high.
Even if you think your company may be exempt, assessing your website for compliance with the EAA is very advisable. Accessibility standards are not just about meeting legal requirements; they demonstrate a commitment to inclusion and can significantly improve the user experience. The EAA underlines the growing importance of creating an online environment in which everyone, regardless of ability, can participate fully and independently.
What are the EAA requirements for websites?
The EAA requires websites and mobile apps to meet accessibility standards… and the text refers to usability, comprehensibility, coherence, etc. in a somewhat generic way. In other words, the EAA does not prescribe a specific rule. However, it does conform to the WCAG principles (mentioned earlier) and references EN 301 549 as the basis for compliance. Member States are responsible for defining the specific regulations, but harmonised standards are expected to guide implementation. This means that companies must assess and, if necessary, improve the accessibility of their online services. And if you thought that just improving the colour contrast of your website would be enough, we are sorry to tell you that it will not be enough; it has an impact even at the level of code structure (HTML and CSS).
Let’s take a look at the 4 pillars of web accessibility, according to the standards mentioned in the normative texts:
Perceptibility
In terms of perceptibility, all information should be visible and understandable to users. This includes having adequate contrast (minimum 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text), providing textual alternatives for non-textual content such as images and buttons, and captions or audio descriptions on videos. It is also required to avoid flickering elements, offer adjustable font sizes and allow for customisation of the content presentation.
Usability
Usability implies that functions should be easy to operate. The site should be keyboard-only navigable, include sufficiently large click areas and allow users to modify or deactivate time limits for specific actions. It should also ensure clear navigation and avoid complex interactions. Just like the websites we design for our clients đ
Understandability
Understandability ensures that website content and functions are easy to understand for all users, including those with cognitive or linguistic difficulties. Websites should use clear and simple language, avoiding jargon or complex sentence structures. Logical page layout, consistent navigation, clear labels and helpful error messages further improve comprehension and ensure that users can interact with content effectively.
Robustness
Robustness guarantees that the content can be reliably interpreted by various browsers and assistive technologies. Websites must use valid, standardised HTML and CSS, incorporating semantic HTML elements and ARIA attributes to enhance compatibility with screen readers.
Together, these requirements ensure that your websites comply with the legislation, while also being functional for as many users as possible. By conforming to these standards, your company can make your website compliant with the EAA and, at the same time, improve the user experience for everyone.
Consequences of non-compliance with the EEA
Non-compliance with the European Accessibility Act carries significant legal and financial consequences, varying by member state. Penalties are designed to be âeffective, proportionate, and dissuasive,â with fines of up to âŹ100,000 in countries like Germany for serious violations such as offering non-accessible services. Lesser infractions, such as failing to meet labelling standards, may incur smaller fines. Some countries, like Ireland, even impose imprisonment for repeated violations in rare cases. Swift corrective actions, such as redesigning or updating websites, can also become a financial burden if compliance is not planned for in advance.
The consequences go beyond mere financial penalties. If your website fails to comply with the EAA you risk reputational damage, which can have long-term effects. Negative press, loss of consumer confidence and exclusion from public contracts can seriously affect your company’s prospects. Non-compliant companies also alienate customers with disabilities, a demographic group with considerable purchasing power. In addition, legal battles, such as lawsuits and settlements, can increase financial and operational pressure. Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility by ensuring that your website is EAA-compliant not only avoids these risks but also improves your company’s reputation and credibility.
How to prepare for the European Accessibility Act (EAA)
While achieving compliance may seem complex, starting early and planning strategically can simplify the process. Here are practical steps to help you prepare your website for the EAA:
Define Your Accessibility Goals
- Familiarise yourself with accessibility standards, such as WCAG 2.2 AA, which provide a solid foundation for compliance.
- Review the specific EAA requirements in the member states where you operate, aiming to meet the strictest applicable standards.
- Identify key areas of your website or service that need improvement and prioritise critical accessibility barriers.
Conduct an Accessibility Audit
- Begin with automated tools like WAVE, Lighthouse, or Axe DevTools to identify initial issues.
- Perform manual checks to cover areas automated tools might miss, using resources like W3Câs Easy Checks.
- Test page templates instead of individual pages, as templates often define the structure and interaction of the entire site.
- Invite users with disabilities to test your website and provide feedback on navigation, usability, and content accessibility.
Build Expertise and Implement Changes
- Train your team in accessibility principles, focusing on roles like design, development, and quality assurance.
- Address identified issues systematically, ensuring fixes adhere to accessibility standards.
- Consider hiring experts for detailed audits or guidance if you are not 100% sure that you are complying with the regulations.
- Incorporate accessibility as an ongoing practice, iterating regularly and reviewing updates to standards like WCAG.
Complying with EAA and digital accessibility in a wider context requires a mix of technical expertise, strategic planning and a deep understanding of user experience. By starting now, youâll not only meet the legal requirements but also make your website more user-friendly for everyone, unlocking the benefits of inclusivity and innovation.
â Disclaimer: This article gives you an overview of the European Accessibility Act and its consequences, specifically regarding websites and online businesses. It is not legal advice and is not intended to be legal advice. If in doubt, please read the regulations directly or contact us for professional advice.
