The European Accessibility Act (EAA)

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is more than just another regulation—it’s a decisive step towards a more inclusive digital society. With a compliance deadline of 28 June 2025, and further requirements stretching to 2030, the EAA presents a formidable yet crucial challenge for businesses across the EU. Whether you’re a large corporation or a small enterprise, understanding and complying with this Act is not just a legal necessity—it’s a strategic advantage.

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The EAA is a landmark directive designed to ensure that products and services across the EU are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. It covers a wide range of consumer-facing products and services, from mobile applications to payment terminals and beyond. The Act is part of a broader EU initiative to foster a digital environment where all users, regardless of their abilities, can access and benefit from technology.

By setting uniform accessibility standards across member states, the EAA not only promotes inclusivity but also ensures a level playing field for businesses. Those that meet these standards can market their products and services throughout the EU without facing barriers based on accessibility concerns.

Why Compliance Can’t Wait

The deadlines set by the EAA might seem distant, but the complexity and breadth of the required changes mean that businesses should start their compliance journey immediately. Waiting until the last minute is not an option—preparing now will ensure that you meet the requirements without unnecessary stress or last-minute scrambling.

Moreover, the Act’s requirements are not just about ticking boxes—they’re about fundamentally rethinking how your products and services are designed and delivered. This is particularly true for mobile applications, which are a central focus of the EAA. Mobile apps must be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, and meeting this standard requires careful planning and execution.

Key Areas Covered by the EAA

The EAA is comprehensive, covering both products and services that play a critical role in the daily lives of consumers. Here are some of the key areas where compliance is mandatory:

• Consumer Hardware and Operating Systems: Devices like computers and their operating systems must be accessible to users with disabilities.
• Payment and Self-Service Terminals: This includes ATMs, ticketing machines, and other interactive self-service terminals.
• Electronic Communications and Audiovisual Services: Mobile apps and other consumer-facing services that provide access to media and communication tools must adhere to accessibility standards.
• Banking Services and e-Commerce: Digital services related to banking and online shopping are also covered under the EAA.

This extensive scope ensures that accessibility is woven into the fabric of everyday life, making it easier for everyone to participate fully in the digital economy.

What Compliance Looks Like

Complying with the EAA means more than just following a checklist. It requires a deep understanding of the accessibility requirements detailed in the Act, particularly those outlined in its Annexes. These requirements are aligned with recognised standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, which set out how to make digital content accessible to people with disabilities.

For mobile applications, compliance involves ensuring that your app is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust—principles encapsulated in the WCAG framework. This might include adding alt text to images, ensuring that your app can be navigated using touch gestures, and making sure that all multimedia content is accessible to users with hearing impairments.

But the EAA goes beyond WCAG, incorporating additional standards like EN 301 549, which is specifically tailored to ICT products and services, including mobile apps. Following these standards not only helps you comply with the EAA but also positions your business as a leader in accessibility—a growing concern for consumers and regulators alike.

The Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failing to comply with the EAA can have severe repercussions. Penalties for non-compliance vary across member states but can include substantial fines, legal action, and even restrictions on your ability to market non-compliant products within the EU. Beyond these financial and legal risks, there’s the potential for significant reputational damage. As awareness of accessibility issues grows, so too does consumer expectation that businesses will meet these standards. Falling short could lead to negative publicity, a loss of consumer trust, and a decline in brand value.

In short, non-compliance isn’t just a legal risk—it’s a business risk.

A Strategic Advantage for UK Businesses

For UK-based businesses, the EAA represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While the UK is no longer an EU member, any business offering products or services within the EU must still comply with the EAA. This creates an incentive for UK businesses to apply these standards across all their offerings, not just those targeted at EU markets.

By adopting the EAA’s accessibility standards universally, UK businesses can ensure competitiveness both domestically and internationally. Moreover, this approach helps avoid the inefficiency and complexity of managing different standards for different markets.

Moving Forward: How to Prepare

The first step towards compliance is understanding the specific requirements of the EAA and how they apply to your products and services. This involves conducting a thorough audit of your current offerings to identify areas where improvements are needed. From there, you can begin the process of redesigning and redeveloping your products to meet the EAA’s standards.

But compliance shouldn’t be seen as a one-off project. Accessibility is an ongoing commitment that requires regular updates and testing to ensure that your products remain compliant as technology and user needs evolve. Regular audits, both automated and manual, will help you stay on track and address any issues before they become compliance risks.

Download Our Comprehensive Guide

If you’re serious about meeting the European Accessibility Act’s requirements and avoiding the penalties associated with non-compliance, we’ve got you covered. Our comprehensive guide dives deeper into the specifics of the EAA, offering detailed insights and practical advice on how to ensure your business is ready.

This guide is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of the EAA and turn compliance into a competitive advantage. Download your copy today and take the first step towards creating a more inclusive and accessible digital environment.