Introducing the European Accessibility Act

What this means for businesses

The EAA is on schedule to be implemented on June 28, 2025. While this may seem like a distant deadline, companies should begin preparing now to ensure compliance. The complexities of meeting the new requirements demand a proactive approach to avoid last-minute challenges.

One important area for businesses to look into is the EAA’s system for self-assessment and certification, which will allow companies to demonstrate that their products and services meet the accessibility requirements. Preparatory documents can be found at the bottom of the European Commission’s EAA overview.

Addressing both digital and physical accessibility, EAA outlines comprehensive guidelines for various product categories, including:

• Digital accessibility: Websites and digital platforms must adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), ensuring they are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users.
• Assistive technologies: Compatibility with assistive devices, such as screen readers, magnifiers, and voice recognition tools, is mandated to support individuals with disabilities.
• Audiovisual media accessibility: Closed captions, audio descriptions, and other features must be provided for TV equipment and services to accommodate users with hearing and visual impairments.
• Banking and financial accessibility: Financial inclusion is critical for autonomy, and making banking services accessible enables individuals with disabilities to manage their finances independently.

Some benefits of embracing accessibility

Adopting accessibility measures not only aligns with legal obligations but it also can introduce many benefits to a business, including:

• Expanded market reach: Accessibility opens doors to a broader customer base by more openly including the 135 million people with disabilities in the EU.
• Elevated brand reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity upholds a positive brand image, reflects inclusive and ethical standards, and strengthens customer loyalty.
• Reduced legal risks: Proactive compliance minimizes the risk of legal repercussions and costly penalties while securing a company’s reputation.
• Innovative and competitive advantages: Investing in accessibility drives innovation and can position a business as a leader in the ever-expanding inclusive marketplace.