The European Accessibility Act (EAA) 101: What You Need to Know Before the Deadline
Is your business ready for the European Accessibility Act (EAA)? If you sell products or provide services in the EU, this directive affects you directly.
Set to be fully implemented by June 28, 2025, the EAA aims to make key products and services accessible to people with disabilities, ensuring equal access for all.
But what does this mean for your business, and what steps do you need to take to comply? Don’t worry, we’re here to guide you through it. But first…
What is the EAA?
The European Accessibility Act is an EU directive designed to promote accessibility across Member States. It focuses on improving access to both physical and digital products and services for individuals with disabilities and others with functional limitations, such as elderly individuals or pregnant women.
Adopted in 2019, the EAA has been pushing businesses to meet accessibility standards, making things more inclusive and user-friendly across Europe.
Under this directive, accessibility isn’t just beneficial for customers; it’s also critical for businesses looking to stay compliant within the EU single market. Starting June 28, 2025, products and services that fail to meet these requirements may face significant penalties.
Does the EAA Apply to Your Business?
If your business offers products or services across the EU, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) likely applies to you. The directive aims to improve accessibility for a wide range of sectors, including:
Digital products and services: Such as smartphones, ATMs, ticketing, and payment terminals.
Banking: Includes online banking platforms and ATMs.
Audiovisual and media services: Streaming platforms and accessible content fall under its scope.
E-commerce: Websites and applications for online shopping must meet accessibility standards.
Telecommunication: Emergency services, call centers, and telephony are covered.
Transport: Accessibility requirements apply to websites, ticketing systems, and apps related to public transportation.
Why the EAA Matters
1. Improving Accessibility for 101 Million People in the EU
According to estimates, 27% of the EU population over the age of 16 has some form of disability—that’s over 101 million people who may benefit from better access to essential products and services.
2. Aligning with Changing Consumer Expectations
Communities are becoming increasingly inclusive, and businesses are expected to follow suit. Accessibility can enhance your brand's reputation, build trust, and expand your customer base.
3. Legal and Competitive Necessity
Non-compliance with the EAA may result in penalties and exclusion from certain markets. Meeting accessibility requirements isn’t just a legal need; it gives you a competitive edge in tapping into new customer segments.
Key Accessibility Requirements
For Products
Designed to maximize usability for people with disabilities.
Include accessible information about the product’s functioning.
Compatible with assistive technologies like screen readers.
For Services
Accessible user interface and content that can be perceived, operated, and understood by all users.
Information available through multiple sensory channels (e.g., text, audio, visuals).
Ensure accessible customer support and communication.
Accountability Measures
Manufacturers, importers, and distributors must identify and trace other economic operators they work with for five years. Additionally, service providers must document how they meet accessibility requirements and be prepared to demonstrate compliance upon request from authorities.
What Happens if You Don’t Comply?
If you fail to adhere to the EAA, enforcement actions depending on Member State regulations can occur. Penalties are designed to be effective, proportionate, and dissuasive. Non-compliance could lead to sanctions, fines, and a loss of market access within the EU.
Market surveillance authorities can require corrective actions or impose provisional measures. Remember: non-compliance doesn’t just affect your business operations; it also impacts your reputation and trustworthiness in the market.
How to Prepare Your Business for the EAA
Here are 6 steps your business can take to ensure compliance with the EAA before the deadline:
Step 1: Audit Your Current Offerings
Assess your product designs and service delivery to identify areas that may not meet accessibility requirements. This includes digital touchpoints like your website or app as well as physical products.
Step 2: Identify Gaps in Accessibility
Use user testing and feedback, especially from individuals with disabilities, to uncover gaps in your accessibility measures. Accessibility compliance tools can help you analyze and identify issues.
Step 3: Train Your Team
Educate your team about the EAA’s accessibility requirements. Everyone from product managers to customer support staff should understand its importance and relevance to their roles.
Step 4: Redesign and Adapt
Work on redesigning your products and services to ensure they’re accessible. This might include adding keyboard navigation to your website, designing high-contrast visual modes, providing voice guidance for payment terminals, and more.
Step 5: Work With Experts
If your business lacks in-house expertise on accessibility compliance, consider partnering with specialists. For example, we offer end-to-end solutions for accessibility compliance, including UI/UX design, QA testing, and app development that meets accessibility standards.
Step 6: Monitor and Maintain Compliance
Accessibility is not a one-time effort. Regularly review and update your products and services to ensure continued compliance.
How We Can Help You
At X2 Mobile, we’re here to make your digital products accessible and user-friendly for everyone. Our team specializes in mobile and web development, UI/UX design, product prototyping, and QA testing to ensure your products meet EAA accessibility standards.
Here’s how we can support you:
Identify accessibility gaps in your current products through a thorough audit.
Redesign your user interfaces to ensure they’re inclusive and compliant.
Integrate assistive technologies like screen reader compatibility and keyboard navigation.
Test and optimize your mobile and web apps to enhance accessibility.
Provide ongoing support and guidance to keep your products compliant over time.
With 13 years of experience and clients based in Europe, US, Middle East and Africa , we’ll help you balance regulatory compliance with delivering user-centric experiences.
Next Steps
The European Accessibility Act might be a legal requirement, but it is also an opportunity for your business to build inclusivity, gain a competitive edge, and cater to a wider audience (perspectives, right?).
Ensuring compliance by June 28, 2025, is important to avoid penalties and capitalize on the evolving market landscape. Not doing it is simply risky business and not worth it.
Need help preparing your business for the EAA? The team at X2 Mobile is here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact us to book your free discovery consultation on EAA compliance today!