How the European Accessibility Act will impact your business

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Understanding the European Accessibility Act

Accessibility is no longer optional; it has now become a legal requirement across the European Union. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a landmark piece of legislation that was enforced on 28 June 2025 and aims to make digital and physical products and services more accessible to people with disabilities.

In this guide, we’ll explore what the act is, who it applies to, what businesses need to do to comply, and the potential penalties for failing to meet the standards.

A Disabled person sign on the EU flag. European accessibility act concept.

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA), sometimes referred to as the EU Accessibility Act, is a directive that was originally introduced by the European Union in 2019 and adopted by individual EU nations in 2022.

Legislation that focused mainly on the public sector, the EAA extends to a wide range of private businesses that provide products or services within the EU. Its purpose is to create a consistent set of accessibility requirements across the EU, removing differing national rules that previously existed.

Unlike earlier legislation that focused mainly on the public sector, the EAA extends to a wide range of private businesses that provide products or services within the EU.

What does the European Accessibility Act cover?

The EAA sets out detailed rules and requirements on the types of products and services that must be accessible within the EU. It is a broad scope, reflecting how accessibility shouldn’t be an afterthought and how it impacts almost all aspects of everyday life, from how people bank and shop to how they read and travel.

The legislation applies to the following areas:

  • E-commerce and retail platforms

  • Banking and financial services

  • Transport services (ticketing and real-time travel information)

  • Telecommunication services

  • E-commerce websites

  • Mobile apps

  • Computers

  • Smartphones

  • ATMs and self-service kiosks and terminals

  • Audio-visual media services and equipment

  • E-books and e-readers

The EAA ensures that accessibility is treated as a standard feature of all products and services, allowing disabled and older users to experience the world equally.

Does the European Accessibility Act apply to the UK?

Despite the UK having left the European Union, the EAA still applies to UK companies that trade within the EU.

If your business sells products or services to EU customers, you must comply with the act to continually trade legally within the European market. For example, if a UK retailer has an online store that can be accessed in Greece, Italy, or France, they will need to meet the same accessibility requirements as businesses located inside the EU.

In addition, many EU governments and public-sector organisations require compliance as a precondition for contracts and procurements. If a UK company fails to comply, they will find themselves excluded if they do not meet EAA standards, so it is crucial if they wish to remain competitive in the European market.

Is the European Accessibility Act mandatory?

Yes, the European Accessibility Act is a mandatory requirement for many organisations that operate within the EU or sell products or services to EU consumers.

From 28 June 2025, compliance is no longer a nice to have and businesses that are within the scope of the act must ensure that their products and services meet the defined accessibility standards.

The legislation does outline some limited exemptions, such as micro-enterprises with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover below €2 million are generally exempt, unless they provide certain digital services such as e-commerce platforms or mobile apps.

That said, remaining complacent and avoiding accessibility entirely is risky. Even where exemptions exist, adopting accessibility practices helps organisations remain competitive, inclusive, and better prepared for future regulations.

What is the penalty for violating the European Accessibility Act 2025?

Failure to comply with the requirements in the legislation can carry serious consequences for businesses. Penalties can vary, as enforcement is handled by individual EU member states, but the risks are consistent across the EU.

The most common consequences of non-compliance include:

  • Fines – As each country has the power to set and enforce their own penalties, businesses operating in multiple states could face fines from multiple countries, compounding the financial impact.

  • Restricted market access – Non-compliant organisations may be prevented from selling their products or services within the EU, severely limiting their reach and market.

  • Reputational damage – Failing to meet accessibility standards can damage a brand’s image and consumer trust.

  • Contract exclusion – Many EU governments and public sector bodies now require proof of compliance before awarding contracts. Businesses that cannot demonstrate compliance may find themselves ineligible for valuable opportunities.

The first European digital accessibility lawsuits have already been filed, showing how seriously regulators and consumers are treating compliance.

How to Comply with the European Accessibility Act

To comply with the EAA, businesses need to go beyond basic fixes and embed accessibility into the way they design and deliver their services.

Some key steps to follow include:

  1. Conduct an accessibility audit of their digital platforms.

  2. Ensure websites and apps meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards.

  3. Publish accessibility statements indicating how they meet the EAA requirements.

  4. Train employees on accessibility best practices.

  5. Implement accessibility-friendly payment and checkout processes.

  6. Provide alternative formats for digital content, such as captions and transcripts.

  7. Monitoring accessibility on an ongoing basis

How does the European Accessibility Act Benefit Businesses?

While the EAA is a legally binding act, it is one of the few pieces of legislation that directly benefits businesses. By following the standards and requirements, organisations don’t just ensure compliance; they actively position themselves for growth and resilience in an increasingly competitive market.

Some of the key advantages include:

1. Access to a wider customer base 

There are an estimated 135 million people with disabilities in the EU. Ensuring your products and services are accessible opens your business to this significant market, as well as older customers.

2. Improved user experience for all customers

Accessibility features such as clear navigation, captions and mobile-friendly design don’t just help disabled users; they improve usability for everyone. Businesses that focus on accessibility often see higher consumer satisfaction and reduced bounce rates on their websites.

3. Competitive edge

EAA compliance will be a prerequisite for many public-sector contracts and partnerships in the EU. Organisations that meet accessibility requirements will find themselves in a stronger position to win bids and contracts over their competitors.

By proactively complying with the act, businesses will minimise the risk of penalties, lawsuits, or exclusion from EU markets. In many cases, the cost of investing in accessibility is far lower than the potential costs of non-compliance.

To learn more about the benefits of digital accessibility for your business, head over to our guide.

Final Thoughts

The European Accessibility Act is not just another regulatory hurdle; it’s an opportunity for businesses to re-evaluate how they deliver their products and services.

Rather than viewing compliance as a burden, organisations should see it as an opportunity to grow, improve customer engagement, and build a more inclusive digital landscape.

By taking proactive steps towards compliance, companies can benefit both legally and financially while improving experiences for all users and ensuring that they are set up for long-term success.

To continue learning about how accessibility can drive measurable business value, check out our blog on maximising digital accessibility ROI.

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FAQs

In addition to microenterprises with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover below €2 million, the EAA provides minor other exemptions, including:

 

  • Non-consumer services – B2B services are considered to be outside the scope.

  • Archived or pre-2025 content – Websites, apps, media files, and documents published before 28 June may also be exempt, provided they have not been updated after that date.

  • Third-party content – Content that has not been created, funded, or controlled by the provider e.g. user-generated content or embedded third-party widgets, may also be exempt.

  • Disproportionate burden – If compliance would impose excessive costs, technical challenges, or fundamentally change the nature of the service or product, organisations may be exempt. However, they must be able to prove their case with documentation.

No, not every website falls under the European Accessibility Act. The legislation specifically applies to consumer-facing websites and digital services that provide products and services within the EU.

 

For example, the EAA would apply to websites customers interact with, like e-commerce platforms, transport booking sites, streaming platforms, and mobile apps.

 

However, it would not apply to purely internal or B2B-only websites, as these are not directed at the general public.

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to fines for non-compliance. Each EU member state determines their own penalties, which can range from modest to significant.

 

Here are some country-specific examples:

 

  • Germany – Businesses can face fines up to 10,000 for neglecting to prove accurate information about the digital accessibility of their products and services, while fines of 100,000 can be issued for selling products and sources that are non-compliant with EAA regulations.

  • France – Private businesses may face a fine of €50,000 for failing to meet web accessibility standards and additional fines of €25,000 for related offences such as the failure to publish an accessibility statement.

  • Spain – May impose fines ranging from €30,000 to €600,000 for non-compliant businesses. They may also be required to undertake corrective measures and could have their non-compliant status disclosed to the public.

See more FAQs

Website accessibility monitoring is the fundamental process of scanning your website to detect any issues that could prevent users with disabilities from using it. Automated web accessibility monitoring tools continuously check for accessibility issues across your site, providing instant alerts for new and updated content, as well as your overall site health.

 

They track compliance with standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and show you how accessible your site is, where it should be, and what improvements should be made to deliver a better experience for all users.

 

In addition to measuring your compliance, they also provide a clear picture of your progress over time, so you can track the impact of your improvements and maintain ongoing accessibility.

The two main types are automated and manual monitoring. Together, they provide you with a comprehensive view of how accessible your site is and where improvements are needed.

 

  • Automated monitoring uses specialised web accessibility monitoring tools to scan your website for non-compliant features and common issues, such as missing alt text, poor colour contrast, or keyword navigability issues. These tools can also provide instant alerts for when site elements present accessibility risks and site health reports so you can prioritise any issues.

  • Manual monitoring is where accessibility experts and testers come in to review your site as a real user would, often using assistive technologies like screen readers. They will usually check how easy it is to navigate through pages, interact with content, and understand messages or instructions. The aim is to identify any areas which may present barriers for individuals with disabilities.

Accessibility monitoring is crucial for ensuring that everyone can use and experience your site in the same way, regardless of ability. It is also essential for staying compliant with standards like WCAG and with laws like The European Accessibility Act 2025.

 

Without regular monitoring, accessibility issues can easily appear when new pages are added, content is updated, or designs are changed.

 

Continuous website accessibility monitoring gives you a framework to:

  • Stay compliant

  • Improve user experience

  • Respond to issues quickly

  • Track progress over time

Accessibility monitoring should be integrated into your process rather than a one-time check. Websites can change frequently, with new pages, designs, and content changes, but each update can introduce accessibility issues.

 

Continuous monitoring, both manual and through an automated website monitor, is recommended to catch any issues as soon as they appear, particularly after any big changes, such as adding interactive elements, redesigns, and when legal or accessibility guidelines are updated.

 

Even without significant changes, monitoring should be a consistent part of your organisations website maintenance.

 

The more you test the better, but for those looking for an exact amount, ideally once a month is a good starting point to catch any emerging issues.

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