The European Accessibility Act (EAA): What your business needs to know
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) will take effect on June 28, 2025, and it’s important for businesses in the EU and those providing digital services to EU consumers—like websites and mobile apps—to prepare for new accessibility standards. The EAA aims to make products and services easier to access for people with disabilities, and complying with these standards will soon be a legal requirement.
Getting ready for these changes might seem overwhelming, but with the right approach and tools, you can effectively comply to accessibility standards. In this blog, we’ll explore what the EAA involves and how you can start building a more accessible digital future for your business.
What Is the European Accessibility Act?
The EAA is an EU directive that sets out accessibility standards for various products and services. While the UK has left the EU, there are important considerations for UK businesses. Companies operating outside the EU must still comply with the EAA if they engage with the EU market, ensuring their services and products are accessible to all users. This is similar to how companies must comply with the GDPR when dealing with EU customers.
Key Requirements Under the EAA:
- Websites and mobile apps: Must meet WCAG 2.1 standards (e.g., text alternatives, keyboard navigation, color contrast).
- Computers, operating systems, and smartphones: Must include accessibility features like screen readers, text-to-speech and compatibility with assistive technologies.
- Self-service devices (ATMs, ticket machines): Must provide accessible interfaces, such as audio guides, tactile feedback and screen reader support.
- E-commerce Platforms: Must ensure accessible browsing, purchasing processes, and payment options, following WCAG standards.
How will the EAA impact UK and other businesses?
In the UK, there are laws that promote accessibility, such as the Equality Act 2010, which requires reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities. Additionally, the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 mandates accessibility for public sector websites and mobile apps. These UK laws reference similar standards (like WCAG 2.1) as those outlined in the EAA. So, while the EAA doesn't apply directly to UK businesses, they may still need to follow similar accessibility requirements if they have consumers within the EU.
Making your digital communications, website and services accessible is not just about compliance; it’s about doing the right thing. Around 101 million people in the EU live with some form of disability - that's 1 in 4. By ensuring your online services are accessible, you can reach a wider audience and show your commitment to inclusion. A great starting point for businesses is to follow the POUR principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust), which ensure that digital content is accessible to all users, regardless of ability, aligning with the requirements of the EAA.
The EAA: Key dates and compliance
The EAA comes into force in 2025, but there’s a five-year transition period for services and contracts already in place. This means businesses have until June 28, 2030, to align their services with the new accessibility standards, providing a critical window for making necessary changes.
Preparing for EAA Compliance:
- Assess your current accessibility: Start by reviewing your digital assets. An accessibility audit will help you identify areas that need improvement, ensuring your website and services meet the required standards.
- Build a strategy: After your assessment, create a plan to address the most pressing accessibility issues. Involve team members from different departments to ensure everyone understands their role in making your digital content accessible.
- Training and tools: Provide your team with the right training and tools to create accessible content. This will help maintain compliance as your organization evolves.
- Testing and monitoring: Regular testing is essential to ensure ongoing compliance. Carry out both automated and manual tests and consider including people with disabilities in your user testing for valuable feedback.
Accessibility tools and solutions for websites & digital communications
As businesses work to meet EAA standards, tools like Texthelp’s ReachDeck can be incredibly helpful. ReachDeck is a digital accessibility solution designed to improve the usability of your online content and communications. Here’s how it works:
- ReachDeck Auditor: This tool scans your website and flags areas that breach accessibility guidelines, such as WCAG standards. It helps you quickly identify issues like poor color contrast, missing alt text for images and other elements that impact accessibility, making it easier to prioritize improvements.
- ReachDeck Editor: The Editor equips your employees to write content and communications that are accessible to all consumers, clients and customers. As you type, it highlights grammar, spelling and readability issues, ensuring that your written content is clear and easy to understand for everyone.
- ReachDeck Toolbar: This accessibility toolbar allows your website visitors to interact with your content in a way that suits their needs, featuring tools like text-to-speech, reading and translation support. With just a click of a button, users can customize their online experience, instantly making your website more accessible.
Embracing accessibility for future success
Acting on the EAA now is essential. The risks of inaction extend beyond potential penalties; neglecting accessibility can alienate a significant segment of your audience and damage your brand reputation.
Investing in accessibility today can lead to long-term benefits. It not only makes your digital assets more inclusive but also opens your business to a wider audience. Additionally, addressing these issues now will save you costs related to future updates or adjustments as accessibility standards continue to evolve.
Interested in learning more about how inclusive tech can help you adhere to accessibility legislation?
Chat to our inclusion specialists about how tools like Texthelp's ReachDeck can scan your website for accessibility errors and make your website and digital content inclusive for all - you can even book a free trial or demo to see how it works!