Introducing the European Accessibility Act

28 June 2025 is a turning point for digital accessibility in the EU. The European Accessibility Act (EEA) is about to land – and it’s not something you can afford to ignore.

So, what is it? Who does it apply to? And what does it mean for your business? Let's break it down.

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The EAA is a legal directive designed to make digital products and services more accessible across all EU member states, removing barriers for disabled and elderly users.

The legislation heavily relies on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), developed to ensure digital products meet the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) international standards. It lays out four key principles:

1. 1
   Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented in ways that users can perceive.
2. 2
   Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable by all users.
3. 3
   Understandable: Content and user interface operation needs to be clear, consistent and predictable.
4. 4
   Robust: Content must be adaptable enough to work with current and future technologies. 

Who will the EAA apply to?

The EAA applies to anyone selling digital products and services in the EU. Even though the UK isn’t obligated to adopt EU directives, if you trade with EU customers - this affects you.

Businesses offering any of the following will fall under the new rules:

• Computers and smartphones
• ATMs and ticketing machines
• Digital television services
• Banking
• Transport
• E-books
• Audio-visual media
• eCommerce

What does the EAA mean for your business?

The EAA isn’t to be ignored. It’s no slap on the wrist for non-compliance when it becomes EU law in June – businesses that don’t take the new legislation seriously could face harsh penalties, ranging from reputational damage to hefty fines.

If your business serves EU member states and has more than 10 employees, failing to comply with the EAA could result in:

Fines

EU regulatory authorities can impose fines on businesses that fail to meet accessibility standards. The amount depends on the severity of non-compliance, the size of the business and the specific location.

Legal action

Individuals or advocacy groups representing disabled persons could bring pricey lawsuits, court orders or settlements to your door.

Reputational damage

Disregarding the needs of disabled users will harm your brand’s reputation. This lack of empathy can lead to negative publicity that directly contributes to customer loss and affects your bottom line.

SEO penalties 

Google is already factoring in accessibility to SEO ranking algorithms and shows no sign of letting up. Those who fail to integrate accessibility into their online presence can expect rankings and visibility to drop.

Exclusion

The EAA is setting the standard for digital accessibility in public and private sector procurement requirements. Non-compliance could result in your business being excluded from certain markets and procurement processes.

Why does accessibility matter?

Disabilities are part of being human, affecting an estimated 1.8 billion people worldwide (17% of the population). Despite this, only 3% of the web is accessible, leaving a large portion of consumers feeling frustrated and underserved. The incoming EAA was created to close this gap as much as possible.

Accessibility isn't just the right thing to do – it's smart business. Making your digital presence inclusive broadens your reach, strengthens your brand, and shows that your business doesn't leave people behind.

Accessibility with IDHL

For many businesses, there is a lot of work that needs to be done before the 28th of June rolls around. Unsure where to start? Download our Accessibility Guide for practical tips – or speak to the IDHL team to make sure you're ready for the EEA.