Accessibility is no longer something businesses can afford to treat as a secondary consideration. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is now in force, and for many organisations, compliance is a requirement rather than a future concern.
If your business provides products or services within the EU, there is a possibility that the Act applies to you. This includes businesses based outside the EU that sell into EU markets. What many organisations are still working through is what the legislation actually requires in practice, and how much work is involved in meeting those requirements.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act is an EU directive designed to improve access to products and services for people with disabilities. Its aim is to create a consistent set of accessibility requirements across EU member states, rather than leaving each country to define its own standards.
In practical terms, it focuses on removing barriers in areas where accessibility has historically been inconsistent, particularly in digital services. For businesses, this means there is now a clearer expectation around how websites, apps, and other digital platforms should be designed and delivered.
The EAA is now in force
The Act was originally adopted in 2019, with EU member states required to incorporate it into national law by June 2022. The key date for businesses was the 28th June 2025, which marked the point at which the requirements became enforceable.
As of 2026, any new products or services that fall within the scope of the Act are expected to comply. This is no longer a preparation phase. It is now an active requirement.
How long do businesses have to comply?
The timeline depends on whether a product or service was introduced before or after the enforcement date.
New products and services launched after 28 June 2025 are expected to meet the requirements from the outset. There is no grace period for anything introduced after that date.
Existing products and services that were already in use before the deadline are treated differently. In many cases, they can continue to be used until 28 June 2030, provided they are not significantly changed during that period. However, this should not be seen as a reason to delay action. The longer accessibility issues remain unaddressed, the more complex and costly they tend to become.
Who needs to comply?
The EAA applies to businesses that provide certain products or services within the EU, regardless of where those businesses are based. If you sell to customers in the EU, you are likely to fall within scope.
The legislation covers a range of sectors, but for most organisations, the most relevant areas are digital. This includes ecommerce websites, mobile applications, online banking services, digital content such as e-books, ticketing and booking systems, and communication services.
There is an exemption for micro-enterprises, defined as businesses with fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover below €2 million. Even so, the exemption is limited in scope and does not remove all potential risk. It also doesn’t apply in the same way across all product categories.
For the majority of small, medium, and large businesses operating in the EU market, the safer assumption is that the Act applies.
What does compliance involve?
The European Accessibility Act does not introduce a completely new technical standard. Instead, it aligns closely with established accessibility frameworks, particularly the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
In practice, this means that digital services should be designed so they can be used by a wider range of people, including those relying on assistive technologies. This includes ensuring that content can be navigated using a keyboard, that images and media have appropriate alternatives, that colour contrast is sufficient, and that interfaces are structured in a clear and predictable way.
For most organisations, WCAG 2.1 Level AA is considered the baseline for compliance. Meeting this standard typically requires input across design, content, and development, rather than being something that can be addressed in isolation.
What happens if you don’t comply?
Enforcement of the EAA is handled at a national level, which means the exact penalties vary depending on the country. However, the overall direction is consistent.
Businesses that fail to comply may face financial penalties, restrictions on selling their products or services within the EU, and legal complaints from users or advocacy groups. Beyond formal enforcement, there is also a practical impact. If a website or platform is difficult to use, people are more likely to abandon it and look elsewhere.
Why this matters in practice
Accessibility is often discussed in terms of compliance, but it has a direct impact on how digital services perform.
Issues that affect accessibility frequently overlap with general usability problems. A site that is difficult to navigate with a keyboard is often difficult to navigate in general. Poor content structure affects everyone, not just users of assistive technology. Addressing these issues tends to improve clarity, usability, and overall user experience.
For businesses, this translates into more effective digital platforms, better engagement, and fewer barriers between users and the actions you want them to take.
Why businesses delay, and why that creates risk
Many organisations are aware of accessibility requirements but delay taking action. This is often because the work feels complex, the urgency is underestimated, or the scope is unclear.
In reality, accessibility is rarely something that can be resolved quickly, particularly for larger or more established websites. It often involves auditing existing systems, identifying issues across multiple templates, updating design patterns, and addressing underlying technical constraints.
Leaving this work too late increases the likelihood of rushed implementation, higher costs, and incomplete compliance.
Where to start
The most effective starting point is to understand your current position.
An accessibility audit will identify where your website or platform doesn’t meet required standards and highlight the most important areas to address. From there, work can be prioritised based on impact and complexity.
Some changes are relatively straightforward, such as improving colour contrast or adding missing labels. Others may require more fundamental changes to how content is structured or how components are built. Taking a phased approach allows progress to be made without disrupting ongoing operations.
Final thought
The European Accessibility Act is now in force, and for many businesses, it introduces a clear set of requirements that need to be met.
Organisations that take a structured approach will find it easier to manage the process and avoid unnecessary disruption. Those that delay are more likely to encounter pressure from enforcement timelines, customer expectations, or both.
Understanding where you stand is the first step towards addressing accessibility properly. If you’d like to find out what needs to be done to make your website compliant, get in contact with us to discuss an audit and start your journey towards digital accessibility.
