Is Your Business Ready for the EAA? Here's What You Need to Know

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a significant step towards making both digital and physical spaces more accessible for people with disabilities across Europe. Passed in 2019, the act mandates that businesses, especially those operating within the European Union (EU), must adhere to specific accessibility standards by June 2025. If your business is operating in the EU or selling goods and services to EU citizens, you need to understand how this regulation affects your operations. In this blog, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about the European Accessibility Act, how it impacts your business, and most importantly, what you need to do to ensure compliance before the deadline.

TLDR:

• What: The European Accessibility Act (EAA) requires businesses in the EU to ensure their products and services, both online and offline, are accessible to people with disabilities.

• Why: The EAA aims to eliminate barriers for people with disabilities and promote a more inclusive society.

• How: Businesses must meet certain accessibility standards, including website and mobile app accessibility, physical space accommodations, and more.

• Deadline: The compliance deadline is June 2025, with a significant focus on digital accessibility in the coming years.

• Impact: Non-compliance could result in fines and a loss of customer trust. Compliance, however, will enhance your brand’s reputation and your market reach among people with disabilities, who represent a growing and underserved market.

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a regulation set forth by the European Union that mandates accessibility requirements for a wide range of sectors, including e-commerce, banking, transport, and more. The goal is to ensure that people with disabilities can access and use products, services, and information just as easily as those without disabilities. The act is designed to break down the physical and digital barriers that often prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in society and the economy.

What Does the EAA Cover?

The EAA covers both digital and physical spaces. Here’s a closer look at the areas it affects:

1. Digital Accessibility:

   • Websites and mobile applications must be accessible to users with various disabilities (e.g., vision impairment, hearing impairment, motor disabilities).

   • Businesses must ensure that their online platforms meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 standards, which focus on creating content that is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.

2. Physical Accessibility:

   • Physical infrastructure such as transportation, retail spaces, and public buildings must also meet accessibility standards.

   • This includes ensuring accessible entrances, restrooms, and pathways for people with mobility impairments.

3. E-Commerce and Financial Services:

   • E-commerce platforms, including online stores and banking apps, need to ensure that their payment systems are accessible to all users, including those with visual and cognitive disabilities.

   • Ensuring that websites or apps can be navigated easily by people using assistive technologies like screen readers is a key part of digital accessibility.

4. Public Sector Services:

   • All public services, including government websites, education institutions, and healthcare providers, must meet accessibility requirements as well.

Why Should Your Business Care?

1. Legal Compliance: The EAA is not just a suggestion; it’s a legal requirement for businesses operating within the EU. Non-compliance could result in hefty fines and legal actions, which could significantly affect your business operations. The deadline to be fully compliant is June 2025, giving businesses a few years to prepare.

2. Market Opportunity: People with disabilities represent a large, growing consumer market. According to the European Commission, approximately 80 million people in the EU have some form of disability. However, only 39% of websites in Europe are fully accessible, which presents a significant gap in the market. By ensuring your business is accessible, you can tap into this underserved demographic and increase your customer base.

3. Reputation and Trust: Being an inclusive business not only strengthens your brand reputation but also builds trust among customers. Consumers are increasingly looking to support businesses that are socially responsible and care about inclusivity. In fact, 87% of consumers are more likely to purchase from a brand that advocates for accessibility and inclusivity.

4. Enhanced User Experience: Accessibility features often enhance the overall user experience, benefiting not only those with disabilities but all users. For example, providing clear navigation, descriptive alt text for images, and easy-to-read fonts benefits people with disabilities but also improves the usability of your site for everyone.

How to Ensure Your Business is EAA Compliant

Here are some steps you can take to ensure your business is ready for the EAA:

1. Conduct an Accessibility Audit: The first step in compliance is to understand where your business stands. Hire accessibility experts or use automated tools to conduct a thorough audit of your website, mobile applications, and physical spaces. Identifying accessibility gaps will give you a roadmap for making the necessary improvements.

2. Implement Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): Ensure your website and mobile applications adhere to WCAG 2.1 guidelines. This includes things like text alternatives for non-text content (e.g., images), ensuring that content is navigable via keyboard, and making sure your platform is compatible with assistive technologies like screen readers.

3. Train Your Staff: Accessibility isn’t just about technology – it’s also about your people. Train your team to understand accessibility principles and how to implement them in their work. This includes customer service representatives, web developers, content creators, and anyone else involved in customer-facing roles.

4. Regular Testing and Feedback: Continuously test your digital platforms to ensure they remain accessible as you update them. Use feedback from users with disabilities to identify potential barriers and improve your accessibility features.

5. Stay Updated on Regulatory Changes: The EAA is part of an evolving landscape of accessibility regulations. Stay informed about any changes to the law and best practices for compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the deadline for EAA compliance?

• The deadline for businesses to meet the EAA requirements is June 2025.

Q: Which businesses are affected by the EAA?

• The EAA applies to any business operating in the EU, including those providing digital services (websites, mobile apps) and physical products (retail spaces, transport services).

Q: How do I test if my website is accessible?

• Use automated tools like WAVE or Axe, and conduct manual testing with assistive technologies like screen readers. It's also important to get feedback from actual users with disabilities.

Q: What are the consequences of non-compliance?

• Businesses that fail to comply with the EAA could face legal action, fines, and damage to their reputation.

Statistical Data on Accessibility

• 80 million people in the EU have disabilities, but only 39% of websites meet accessibility standards (European Commission).

• 87% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands that prioritize accessibility (National Organization on Disability).

• The global spending power of people with disabilities is estimated to be around $8 trillion (Return on Disability Group).

Sources for Statistical Data:

• European Commission: “Disability and Accessibility in Europe”

• National Organization on Disability: “The Disability Inclusion Advantage”

• Return on Disability Group: “The Economic Impact of Disability Inclusion”

Conclusion

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a landmark regulation that aims to create a more inclusive and accessible environment for everyone, regardless of ability. Ensuring your business complies with the EAA is not just a legal obligation but also a tremendous opportunity to tap into a growing, underserved market. By preparing early, investing in accessibility, and fostering a culture of inclusivity, you’ll not only avoid penalties but also position your brand as a leader in digital and physical accessibility.

If your business isn’t already on the path to compliance, now is the time to act. The deadline of June 2025 is fast approaching, and the steps you take today will help ensure your success tomorrow.