As of June 28, 2025, web accessibility has become a legal requirement for many companies that offer digital products and services to consumers in the European Union, under the European Accessibility Act (EAA). This legislation represents a significant change for the European digital landscape, emphasizing universal access to the Web and digital services, regardless of users' physical or cognitive abilities. But what exactly does this mean for companies, and how can they best prepare to meet the deadline?

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The European Accessibility Act is ambitious legislation introduced by the European Union to reduce the digital barriers that people with disabilities face on a daily basis. It covers not only web browsing, but extends to a wide range of digital products and services, including mobile applications, e-commerce platforms, ATMs, ticket machines, and e-book readers. The main goal of the EAA is to promote an inclusive digital environment in which people with disabilities have equal access to information, products and services.

The EAA covers certain digital products and services offered to consumers (for example e-commerce, banking services, transportation, electronic communications, and e-books), with an exemption for microenterprises that provide services (fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover of no more than 2 million euros). Whether an organization falls within the scope has to be checked case by case, based on the country, the sector, and the service offered. For the companies that offer the products and services falling within the scope of the directive, accessibility has been a requirement since 2025 in order to operate on the European market.

The Implications for Businesses

As the deadline approaches, the companies concerned will have to meet strict accessibility requirements, defined by the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), which provide the framework for creating accessible web content. The WCAG includes a set of technical and practical requirements designed to ensure that people with disabilities can use websites and apps as easily as anyone else.

The main requirements include:

  • Screen reader compatibility: Web sites must be easily usable for people with visual impairments who use screen readers. This means that all visual content must be accompanied by a text description that can be "read" by these tools.
  • Keyboard navigation: It is essential that a site be navigable entirely by keyboard, as some people with motor disabilities may not be able to use a mouse.
  • Alternative texts for images: Each image must be accompanied by an alternative descriptive text that enables the visually impaired to understand the visual content.
  • Color contrast: To ensure that texts are readable even by people with visual impairments, it is important that there is adequate contrast between the text and the background.
  • Reduction of distracting elements: animations, pop-ups, or other visual elements that may disturb users' attention should be reduced or made disabled.

Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to significant consequences. Noncompliant companies not only risk high fines, but could also face lawsuits and damage to their reputations. In a world increasingly focused on inclusive practices, failure to adhere to the EAA could alienate a large portion of the public.

How to prepare for the European Accessibility Act

With the 2025 deadline getting closer and closer, preparing in advance is critical. Waiting until the last minute could put companies at a disadvantage, with the risk of having to make hasty and poorly optimized changes. Instead, companies that act now will have time to implement a solid, well-structured compliance plan, avoiding the last-minute rush.

A crucial first step for any company is to have an accessibility analysis carried out on its website and digital applications. This analysis should cover the pages and features agreed upon and identify the barriers found on them, from usability issues for people with visual, hearing, or motor disabilities to compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technologies. No check, automated or manual, can rule out the presence of further barriers.

In this context, specialized services such as those offered by Accessibi can make all the difference. Accessibi not only offers in-depth analysis of critical site issues, but also provides solutions that are easy to implement, helping companies align, on the agreed perimeter, with the requirements of WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA, the technical reference cited by the EAA. The advantage of using a platform like Accessibi lies in the simplicity of the process: a team of experts follows each step, from problem identification to solution implementation, minimizing the time and resources required of companies.

Why act now?

Besides the obvious benefit of avoiding financial penalties and legal problems, there are many reasons why companies should act now and make their sites accessible. First, an accessible site does not just benefit people with disabilities: it improves the user experience for everyone. A well-structured site with intuitive navigation and easy-to-read content is more enjoyable to use for anyone, regardless of ability. This translates into greater user engagement, more time spent on the site, and ultimately more conversions.

In addition, many accessibility best practices (alt text, semantic structure, clear headings) also make a site easier for search engines to read. A site built to the WCAG criteria is easier to use for many people with disabilities and usually has a clearer structure, which can also help indexing. Accessibility is not, however, a ranking factor declared by search engines, and meeting WCAG is a technical requirement: on its own it neither removes every barrier nor satisfies every legal obligation.

Another aspect to consider is corporate reputation. At a time when inclusiveness and social responsibility are major issues, demonstrating a commitment to digital accessibility can improve brand image. Companies that show attention to the needs of all their customers, including those with disabilities, build a stronger and more trustworthy reputation.

How Accessibi can help you prepare

Preparing for the arrival of the European Accessibility Act may seem like a complex challenge, but with Accessibi, the process becomes simple and manageable. Our team of experts will guide you through every step of the way, from initial analysis to implementation of changes, with the goal of reaching WCAG level AA on the audited perimeter. Technical conformance alone does not amount to meeting every legal obligation, which depends on the country, the sector and the service.

Don't wait until the last moment: act now and turn accessibility into an opportunity to improve your site and offer a better experience to your users. With Accessibi, you are in good hands. Which obligations apply to you depends on the country, the sector, and the service; we do not provide legal advice and do not guarantee any legal outcome. This article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice: check the obligations that apply to you with your own advisors.