The European Accessibility Act

Overview

The EU Accessibility Act (EAA) is a directive set to take effect on 28th June 2025. Its primary goal is to enhance the accessibility of a wide range of products and services across the European Union.

Scope

• Applies to:
  The public and private sector
  Any business that wishes to trade in the EU, wherever it is based
• Includes: Websites, mobile apps, and web applications
• Covers: Consumer-facing (B2C). It does not apply to business-to-business (B2B) services unless they also serve external users.

Exemptions

• Micro-enterprises: Generally exempt. A micro-enterprise has fewer than 10 employees and turnover below €2 million
  Voluntary adoption is encouraged
• Products or services provided before 28 June 2025 are exempt for up to five years or until any relevant contract expires.
• Software updates are not exempt.

Key Requirements

• Adherence to established accessibility standards. Meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA ensures compliance.
  Please note WCAG 2.2 is officially a W3C recommendation
• Improvements may include:
  • Enhanced compatibility with assistive technologies
  • Improved keyboard navigability
  • Accessible visual content
• The four principles of accessibility of websites and mobile applications are:

  Perceivability

  Meaning that information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.

  Operability

  Meaning that user interface components and navigation must be operable.

  Understandability

  Meaning that information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable.

  Robustness

  Meaning that content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.

• Accessibility should be achieved by the systematic removal and prevention of barriers, preferably through a universal design or Design for All (DfA) approach.

Compliance Considerations

• Deadline: June 28th 2025
• Penalties: Vary by member state, may include:
  • Fines
  • Product removal from market
  • Legal action
• Compliance Costs: May involve:
  • Redesigning digital products
  • Staff training
  • Ongoing monitoring

Impact on Different Businesses

• Simple websites: May require minimal adjustments
• Complex platforms: Might need substantial revisions, especially those providing:
  • Essential services
  • Intricate data analysis (e.g. emissions data recording and analysis)

Conclusion

The EAA represents a significant step towards digital inclusivity in the EU. Businesses must prepare for compliance to avoid penalties and ensure their products and services are accessible to all, including people with disabilities.