European Accessibility Act: What it means for your business and how to comply

Design

TL;DR: The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a directive requiring specific digital and physical sectors (such as e-commerce, banking, and streaming) to become fully accessible to people with disabilities. To ensure compliance, businesses must follow the EN 301 549 standard (based on WCAG 2.1) by auditing digital products, publishing accessibility statements, training teams, and embedding continuous testing into long-term workflows. Beyond avoiding legal penalties and fines, implementing the EAA helps companies expand their market reach to the 1 in 6 people worldwide living with a disability.

April 18, 2025
Tine Lavrysen

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) will come into force on June 28, 2025. If your business offers digital services — like e-commerce, online banking, or streaming, it's time to act. Being compliant isn’t just about avoiding fines. Accessible digital products can boost your brand reputation, improve user experience, and help you reach more customers. In this article, we explain what the EAA means and guide you through the 5 most important steps to take.

What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?

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The European Accessibility Act is a directive that requires companies to make certain digital and physical services accessible for people with disabilities. This includes:

  • Online shops and e-commerce platforms
  • Banking apps and ATMs
  • Public transport services (air, rail, bus, boat)
  • Digital communication tools
  • Streaming platforms, TV, and e-books
  • Emergency service tools

If you operate in one of these sectors, your business must meet accessibility requirements by June 2025.

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5 steps to comply with the European Accessibility Act

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Making your services compliant may feel overwhelming, but these 5 steps will help you get started:

1. Apply the European Accessibility Standard (EN 301 549)

This standard outlines accessibility requirements for ICT products and services. It’s based on the WCAG 2.1 guidelines — which many digital teams are already familiar with.

2. Audit your digital products

Run a full accessibility audit on your website, app, or digital platform. This helps you identify gaps and prioritize what to improve.

3. Publish an accessibility statement

Every business must create an accessibility statement that explains how its services meet the legal standards.

4. Train your team on accessibility

Everyone involved in creating digital products — from developers to designers to content creators — should understand accessibility principles. Organize regular training sessions to keep your team up to date.

5. Make accessibility a long-term habit

Accessibility is never “done.” Regularly test your platforms, gather user feedback, and improve continuously. Embed accessibility into your workflows and development cycles.

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Why digital accessibility is good for business

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Meeting the EAA requirements isn't just a legal necessity — it's also a wise business decision.

  • Avoid legal risk: Fines and legal consequences are real if you don’t comply.
  • Reach more users: Over 1 in 6 people worldwide has a disability. Accessibility expands your market.
  • Boost your brand: Inclusive products demonstrate innovation, responsibility, and care.

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