With the European Accessibility Act soon taking effect, businesses must ensure their digital products meet accessibility standards or face penalties and restricted market access. Here’s what you need to know to prepare in time.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is about to make a big impact on the European digital landscape, ensuring that people with disabilities can enjoy the same access to essential services as everyone else. Although the directive is set to be fully implemented by June 2025, many businesses are still underprepared or even unaware of its requirements.
Understanding the EAA is essential for companies, as non-compliance can result in legal and financial consequences, along with potential reputational harm. If you’re unfamiliar with the Act, don’t worry – there’s still time to prepare. In this article, we’ll break down what the Act covers, why it matters, and the steps you can take to ensure compliance.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The EAA, adopted by the EU in 2019, brings a new wave of accessibility standards for organizations providing essential products and services, with a particular focus on the digital world. This regulatory update responds to the real needs of persons with disabilities, 70% of whom report accessibility barriers on over a quarter of websites.
Here are some of the EAA’s key accessibility requirements businesses should keep in mind:
Compatibility with assistive technologies
Products and services must be compatible with assistive technologies like screen readers, speech-to-text tools, and braille displays. This is especially important for digital interfaces because it allows users with visual impairments to navigate and access content independently.
Accessible user interfaces
Websites, applications, and digital products must have accessible user interfaces. This includes intuitive navigation, clear text contrast, alternative text for images, and features that allow easy interaction.
Closed captioning and text alternatives
Video and audio content must include closed captions or text alternatives to support individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. This requirement is particularly relevant for industries such as telecommunications, media, and education.
Keyboard accessibility
Websites and apps should be fully operable using just a keyboard, as many users with mobility impairments might not use a mouse. Navigation should be straightforward, with clear focus indicators for users.
Clear and simple language
Simple navigation and easy-to-understand instructions improve usability for all users. The EAA encourages the use of clear and straightforward language across all digital and physical interfaces to accommodate users with cognitive disabilities.
Self-service terminals
In industries like retail and banking, self-service terminals such as ATMs and payment kiosks must cater to all users. This may include providing voice guidance, accessible touchscreens, and user-friendly height adjustments for wheelchair users.
Who must comply with the European Accessibility Act?
The EAA applies to all businesses and organizations – both public and private – that provide or intend to provide products and services within the European Union. This includes a wide range of industries offering everyday products and services, with a strong focus on their digital offerings. The main sectors affected by the EAA include banking and financial services, e-commerce and retail, public transportation, healthcare, telecommunications and media, computing and smart devices, and education and e-learning platforms.
If your organization isn’t based in the EU but serves EU customers in sectors covered by the EAA, you must adhere to the Act’s accessibility requirements. The only organizations exempt from complying are those with fewer than ten employees and an annual turnover below two million euros.
What is the scope of the EAA?
The European Accessibility Act covers a range of products and services, both physical and digital, which are essential to everyday life. The idea is to enable persons with disabilities to use them independently.
Here are the key products and services that must meet the Act’s accessibility requirements if they are placed on the market after June 28, 2025:
Products
- General-purpose computer hardware systems such as desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets, along with their operating systems
- Consumer devices for electronic communications, including mobile phones, modems, and routers
- Interactive consumer equipment used to access audiovisual media services, such as TVs, TV sticks, and gaming consoles
- E-book readers, which must be designed for accessibility, including features like voice output for people with visual impairments
- Self-service terminals, such as ATMs, ticketing machines, check-in kiosks, information and payment terminals
Digital services
- Websites and mobile applications, including those related to e-commerce, transportation, banking, and media
- Telecommunications services, such as voice telephony, internet telephony, email, chat, and SMS
- Audio-visual media services, including platforms that provide access to streaming services, television programs, and electronic program guides
- E-commerce services, including online stores and apps that facilitate consumer contracts, such as product purchases or booking services like taxis
- Consumer banking services, such as payment accounts, credit agreements, and payment services
- Passenger transport services, covering apps, websites, ticketing services, and real-time travel updates for air, bus, rail, and ship transport. This also extends to infrastructure information, such as ramps and lifts.
What if you don’t comply?
Not following the rules prescribed by the European Accessibility Act can have serious consequences for service providers. While specific penalties vary from country to country, along with fines and legal action, businesses may be blocked from selling or operating in the EU if their products and services aren’t accessible. Non-compliance can also harm a company’s reputation, as more consumers expect brands to focus on accessibility.
How to make your product accessible?
With the implementation date approaching, here are some actionable steps to take now:
1
Conduct an accessibility audit
Start by identifying any accessibility gaps in your products or services. If you haven’t already, take advantage of our free website accessibility audit to get a detailed report on your current status and areas of improvement. Get started here.
2
Develop an accessibility action plan
Prioritize key areas – such as user interface design and compatibility with assistive technologies – that impact accessibility the most.
3
Ensure continuous monitoring and improvement
Accessibility requires ongoing monitoring and updates to adapt to new standards, technologies, and user needs. Take the time to educate your team and schedule regular evaluations to ensure ongoing compliance.
Why accessibility makes good business sense
Improving accessibility can be about more than doing the right thing – it will also widen your market reach. Ensuring your products and services are accessible expands your potential customer base to include more than 87 million people with disabilities in the EU (almost one in five Europeans), as well as millions more who experience temporary or situational disabilities.
Turn compliance into a competitive edge
The European Accessibility Act presents both a challenge and an opportunity for businesses. By taking the time to ensure that your products and services are accessible, you’re doing more than meeting legal standards – you’re opening doors for a new audience, making a positive impact, and strengthening your brand.
If you are ready to start building accessible and inclusive digital products, we can support you every step of the way.
