When it comes to creating an inclusive digital experience, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a game-changer. Its mission is simple yet profound: ensure equal access for everyone. But complying with this mission can feel daunting. With different member states implementing the act in their own unique way, knowing where to start is half the battle. Fortunately, this article will guide you through the essentials, giving you that much-needed start point and helping you navigate EAA compliance with confidence.
What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
The EAA is a directive introduced by the European Union to harmonise accessibility standards across its member states. It aims to eliminate barriers for people with disabilities, ensuring equal access to products and services in both the digital and physical world. Considering that over 135 million Europeans live with some form of disability, this is no small feat.
So, how does the EU plan on achieving this? Well, the EAA requires businesses to meet specific accessibility criteria in a range of different sectors, and for a range of different products and services. This includes, but is not limited to, websites, e-commerce platforms, and self-service terminals. The EU holds member states to account, mandating that they realise the aims of the EAA before the June 2025 deadline, or risk facing legal action.
Ultimately, at its core, the EAA is about creating a better user experience for everyone, but especially individuals with disabilities. It can be tempting to view the EAA as another tick-box regulation, a hurdle getting in the way of you growing your business. Instead, think of it as an opportunity to enhance your brand reputation and reach a wider audience, all while contributing to a fairer society.
Free EAA Compliance Audit of your Website
Detecting EAA Compliance issues has never been easier than it is now. At Recite Me we offer a free audit of your websites homepage. This will identify and highlight any non-compliance on your website as it relates to the European Accessibility Act and WCAG. Followed by recommendations on how to implement the necessary changes to improve your websites accessibility score and standing.
Which organisations are required to comply with EAA?
If your organisation is based, or operating, in an EU member state, meaning that it trades inside the EU, the chances are the EAA’s requirements apply to you. One unique exception to this are microenterprises; a type of small organisation, defined as a business with less than 10 employees or an annual turnover of less than €2,000,000.
While member states do hold the power to make additional exceptions to things like deadlines, all businesses, including microenterprises, are encouraged to make their products and services accessible to people with disabilities well before the June 2025 cut-off.
What services and products are covered by the EAA requirements?
Digital technologies have taken the world by storm in recent decades, contributing significantly to the global economy and improving communication systems greatly. For that reason, digital technologies feature as the cornerstone of the EAA. Its scope covers the following products and services:
- Computers and operating systems
- Smartphones and other mobile devices
- TV and media equipment
- ATMs, ticket machines, and e-readers
- Telecommunications and phone services
- Banking and financial services
- E-commerce platforms
- Websites and digital platforms
- E-books and their distribution
- Audiovisual media services (AVMS)
- Emergency communication (e.g., calls to 112)
The extensiveness of this list shows just how deeply accessibility is woven into everyday tasks and interactions. If your business touches any of these areas, compliance isn’t just advisable; it’s essential.
WCAG as a requirement for European Accessibility Act
As mentioned earlier, the EAA is a European directive on which EU member states must act, giving governments some flexibility in how the directive is implemented. However, most EU member states rely on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to define their accessibility standards, making it the baseline for compliance in many cases.
WCAG is an internationally-recognised set of standards for web accessibility, defined by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It derives specific accessibility criteria from four core principles, called POUR: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. For instance, WCAG stipulates that all website text must have a minimum colour contrast ratio of 4.5:1, and all website elements should be navigable via keyboard alone, ensuring content is both perceivable and operable.
Adhering to WCAG best practices guarantees that your digital platforms are accessible to people with varying needs, from screen reader users to those with limited mobility. By aligning your website or digital services with WCAG, you not only meet the EAA’s digital requirements but also go a long way to improving your business and its customer offerings.
What are the risks of not meeting EEA requirements
Failing to comply with the EAA isn’t just a missed opportunity, it can hinder the growth of your business and lead to some pretty severe financial losses. This section summarises some of the main risks.
Legal penalties
Non-compliance with the EAA can result in some hefty fines capable of financially crippling a business. But it’s important to note that these fine amounts vary across member states. For example, failure to comply with the EAA in Ireland can result in fines of up to €60,000 and 18 months imprisonment – alarmingly high stakes. In other member states, such as Spain, fines can range from €5,000 to €300,000. Regardless of where you are, the legal consequences of EAA non-compliance are severe, leaving no room for complacency.
Reputational damage
Lawsuits brought about by EAA non-compliance can have a detrimental impact on your brand’s reputation. Even if unsuccessful, the very fact that your organisation has been involved in an accessibility related lawsuit can be enough to tarnish its name. This is because inaccessibility signals exclusion and neglect of diverse needs to your audience. What’s more, with consumers increasingly prioritising ethical purchasing decisions, both potential and existing customers are likely to churn in favour of a more inclusive competitor.
Lost revenue
Complying with the EAA and making your digital services accessible isn’t just about avoiding fines, it’s about unlocking the spending power of people with disabilities. Ignoring accessibility means turning away a global market segment worth $13 trillion, not only comprising disabled people but their family and friends too.
Audit, implement and monitor: A three step approach to European Accessibility Act requirements
Complying with EAA requirements can be simplified into a three-step process: first, you audit your site to find holes in its accessibility; then, you fix these holes according to EAA requirements; and finally, you implement a regular schedule of review to uphold accessibility standards long term. Let’s take a more detailed look.
1. Audit your website for EAA non-compliance
The first step in the process is to identify gaps in your current digital setup. This can be done by implementing a combination of both automated tools, such as an accessibility checker, and manual methods.
Automated tools should be your first port of call, as they are able to rapidly scan your website’s code for any glaringly obvious accessibility concerns. These tools are typically used to uncover the most common types of EAA failures, such as missing alt text or poor colour contrasts, but can sometimes overlook the nuances of accessibility. This is where manual audits come in, capitalising on the knowledge and expertise of disabled users and accessibility experts alike to flag any additional issues on a more granular scale.
Learn more about how to run an EAA compliance audit of your website here.
2. Implement fixes in-line with EAA requirements
Once all accessibility issues are identified, it’s time to act. Consult the WCAG’s guidance on each website element, ensuring you adhere to Level AA success criteria as a minimum. Whether it’s adding alternative text to images, improving keyboard navigation, or adjusting your palette to achieve a consistent colour contrast ratio of 4.5:1 across all web pages, addressing these gaps sets you on the right path to EAA compliance.
3. Monitor and review your website regularly for EAA standards
Unfortunately, accessibility isn’t a one-and-done project – it’s an ongoing commitment. Once you’ve identified and fixed all non-compliant features, your next task is to maintain this long into the future.
To do this, regularly review your website to ensure it remains compliant with updates to WCAG or changes in the EAA. Also, be sure to conduct comprehensive audits after every website change to safeguard against any further EAA failures slipping through the net.
Download your free EAA Compliance Checklist
Want to make sure your website is compliant with the European Accessibility Act? Then get started today with our EAA checklist. This document details all of the important steps you need to take to ensure your website is EAA compliant before the deadline. Work through each step to avoid the negative consequences of being non-compliant.
Training for the European Accessibility Act
Understanding the EAA, its requirements, and how it relates to WCAG is half the battle. Training your team on these topics helps ensure they are better equipped to identify accessibility barriers and implement effective solutions. EAA training can be in the form of workshops, e-learning, or even Q&A sessions. But regardless of how you structure your training, having a team of staff around you who wield expert knowledge on EAA is probably your best line of defence against accessibility-related lawsuits.
Meet EAA requirements before the June 2025 deadline
The clock is ticking, with June 2025 marking the final deadline for EAA compliance. Waiting until the last minute could lead to rushed fixes or missed opportunities to optimise your brand’s digital presence.
At Recite Me, we make EAA compliance straightforward. Whether conducting regular audits using our accessibility checker, or offering full customisation of your website’s features with our accessibility toolbar, Recite Me can help. Book a demo today to discover how our tools can guide you through your EAA compliance journey and do all the heavy lifting for you. Don’t delay — start your journey now and get your website in fighting form ahead of the June 2025 deadline.
Need More Help Becoming EAA Compliant?
The following resources are packed full of actionable tips and expert advice for making your digital content compliant with the European Accessibility Act:
European Accessibility Checklist
Start ticking off European Accessibility Act requirements and ensure your organisation is compliant to avoid the risks.
European Accessibility Act Guide
Ensure your organisation is meeting the necessary requirements for European Accessibility Act compliance.
Free EAA Audit of your Website
Download a free accessibility check of your website. This report will highlight any EAA non-compliance and how to fix it.
