The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is now officially in force as of 28 June 2025, marking a transformational moment for businesses operating in—or selling to—the EU. It applies to digital products and services such as websites, mobile apps, e-commerce platforms, ebooks, ATMs, and self-service kiosks, regardless of where the business is based. This EU-wide law is designed to remove barriers faced by people with disabilities, making everyday products and services more accessible.
For UK based businesses, the EAA doesn’t directly apply as UK law, however if a UK business sells goods or services into the EU, it must comply with the EAA to maintain access to those EU markets.
The EAA harmonises accessibility rules across the EU with the aim of making it easier to implement with a standardised set of requirements across the EU. This should support the free movement of accessible goods and services with the single market, encouraging innovation to benefit all consumers, not just those with disabilities.
What it Covers
It applies to key products and services, including:
- Digital products: computers, smartphones, tablets, e-readers, operating systems, payment terminals.
- Banking services: ATMs, online banking apps and websites.
- E-commerce: online shopping platforms.
- Transport services: ticketing and check-in machines, websites and apps for air, bus, rail, and water transport.
- Media: e-books, TV equipment for digital television services.
- Emergency communications: access to the EU-wide 112 emergency number.
Why This Matters to Your Business
The requirements and obligations of this directive don’t apply to micro-enterprises providing services within the scope of this directive, so if your business employs fewer than 10 persons and has an annual turnover not exceeding €2 million or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €2 million then this won’t apply. Above these thresholds and the directive applies and if so this is why being compliant matters to your business:
- Legal and Financial: Non-compliance could result in fines ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of euros per infraction, depending on jurisdiction. Some countries even expose violators to prison sentences. Some UK-focused sources suggest that fines could be as high as £200,000 for non-compliance when targeting EU markets.
- Reputation & Market Access: Failing to comply hurts not just legally—it can alienate disabled users, damage your brand, and block your access to public procurement opportunities.
- Inclusivity & Business Value: Over 135 million EU residents live with a disability, but accessible design benefits everyone. Accessible digital experiences drive better conversions, trust, and long-term loyalty.
What to Do Now: A Roadmap for Proactive Compliance
1. Initiate an Accessibility Audit
- Carry out an audit to assess the current accessibility of your digital product or service.
- This can be through automated tools (such as Google’s Lighthouse or WAVE’s Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools) to catch common issues—e.g., missing alt text, low contrast, inaccessible navigation.
- For feedback, engage with your end users for real world assessment.
- Engage with professional experts who can run a more in-depth audit and advise specifically on pitfalls and solutions.
2. Align to WCAG & EN 301 549
- To conform to the European Accessibility Act your digital product or service must align with the European standard EN 301 549, which embeds WCAG 2.1 (AA) accessibility guidelines.
- Although not formally mandated, adopting WCAG 2.2 is encouraged for future-proofing.
3. Plan for Ongoing Governance
- Thinking beyond the current iteration of your digital product or service, planning for maintaining the standard as new features are released and updated is essential. Therefore embed accessibility in your development lifecycle: from design and procurement to QA, releases, and training.
- Document everything—accessibility statements and remediation plans
4. Embrace Accessibility as a Strategic Advantage
- Accessibility isn’t a one-time fix, it’s a culture and continual process you can embed in your business. Audits, training, culture building, and inclusive design practices all lead to better user experience and innovation readiness. A growth lever for your business.
The EAA heralds a significant shift: businesses must move beyond treating accessibility as an optional add-on and embrace it as central to their design, compliance, and brand responsibility. By acting now—grounded in expert audits, guideline alignment, and strong governance—you’ll not only avoid penalties but strengthen your market reach and reputation across Europe.
Let us help guide your journey. If you’d like tailored support, a workshop for your business, or a roadmap to embed accessibility into your digital DNA, then please reach out to the team at This is Undefined.
