Digital accessibility will soon be a requirement for any company or organization that does business within the European Union, regardless of its physical location. Exactly one year from now – on June 28th, 2025 – the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will officially go into effect.
If you currently do business in the EU or want to do business there in the future, we encourage you to stay up to date with this new law’s legal requirements and ensure your digital content is accessible by the June 2025 deadline.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act was adopted into the EU back in 2019 with the purpose of “complement existing EU sectorial legislation on accessibility.” Specifically, the EAA will be complementing the EU’s Web Accessibility Directive, which was passed back in 2016.
The new Act is set to revolutionize how businesses and organizations operate within the EU by embedding accessibility into their core processes. It is expected to benefit approximately 87 million people with disabilities across the 27 EU Member States, providing equal access to digital products and services as our world increasingly relies upon digital technology for everyday life.
Which Products and Services Need to Comply?
The European Accessibility Act mandates that a wide range of products and services in the digital technology space meet specific accessibility requirements.
For the June 2025 deadline, the EAA states that all “newly marketed products and services covered by the Act” must be accessible prior to launch.
For all older products and services, businesses have 3 years to bring their content into compliance.
Some of the types of products and services that must comply include:
- Computers and operating systems,
- Smartphones,
- ATMs,
- E-books,
- Public transportation-related digital services, including ticketing options
- Banking services, and
- Websites and e-commerce platforms.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. To view a full list of affected products and services, visit the European Commission’s European Accessibility Act Q & A webpage.
What Types of Companies Does the EAA Apply to?
As we mentioned earlier in this article, every company or organization wishing to do business within the EU needs to comply. This includes businesses/organizations in both the public and private sector.
Additionally, the European Accessibility Act applies to all businesses and organizations who offer the products and/or services that are covered by the act and sell them within the EU.
There may be exceptions per each specific EU Member State, so it’s important to check your Member State’s own laws. The EAA will have already been made into law in each country that is a member of the EU.
Deadlines and Noncompliance Penalties
Just as the specifics of who may be exempt from the EAA varies per Member State, the penalties for noncompliance will also vary per Member State. Some penalties include various levels of fines, while others state the potential for imprisonment.
One fact is universal for all Member States, though: starting on June 28, 2025, customers can start filing complaints, and businesses can start being penalized for noncompliance.
Address Your Digital Accessibility Before the Deadline
With the EAA’s implementation date exactly one year away, businesses and service providers must begin to prepare for compliance, if they haven’t already. The transition to fully digitally accessible content takes time, and major deadlines can cause specialists to book up quickly.
At Ability, Inc., we understand the complexities of digital accessibility and are here to support you through this transition. Our comprehensive services, including auditing, certification, and compliance management, are designed to ensure your digital assets meet the EAA’s standards.
By addressing these requirements proactively, you’ll not only ensure that your products and services comply with the law by next year’s deadline but you’ll also demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility.
Start the process of making your content digitally accessible by scheduling a quick call with one of our digital accessibility experts today.
For more information on the European Accessibility Act and how it impacts your business, visit the European Commission’s official Q & A page.
