The European Accessibility Act: Why You Must Act Now
What is the EAA?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) introduces new rules that mirror the regulatory impact of GDPR, which imposed significant fines for non-compliance. However, the EAA goes further by ensuring that all digital platforms—websites and apps—are accessible to every user. A WCAG compliance audit will be essential for meeting these new accessibility standards.
Starting June 28th, 2025, all private companies with a presence in the EU must comply with the EAA. If your business has an online presence in Europe, the EAA applies to you. This means ensuring your accessible website meets the new regulations.
Why should this matter to your business?
Non-compliance will result in severe financial penalties. The high-profile GDPR fines faced by global companies have already set a clear precedent:
- Google: €50 million
- WhatsApp: €225 million
- TikTok: €345 million
- Amazon: €746 million
- Meta: €1.2 billion
The EAA will soon start enforcing penalties. Businesses should act now to avoid being its first targets. Delaying accessibility work will lead to financial setbacks in multiple areas. While an accessibility audit will eventually be required, you can avoid hefty penalties by taking proactive steps now. An accessibility statement can help protect your business by clearly demonstrating your intent to address these critical issues.
At Access by Design, we have been industry leaders in website accessibility for 18 years. Our unique team combines extensive experience in accessibility testing with the invaluable insights of our disabled testers, who understand these challenges first-hand. This depth of expertise sets us apart from other providers, helping ensure your website meets both WCAG compliance and EAA standards.
Here is how we support your business:
- Thorough Accessibility Audit: Our team will review your website or application in detail to identify any accessibility issues that may violate both the EAA and WCAG compliance standards.
- Accessibility Statement Assistance: We will guide you in crafting a comprehensive accessibility statement that not only outlines your company’s commitment to resolving accessibility barriers but also minimizes legal risks.
- Actionable Solutions: We go beyond identifying problems. We provide practical, actionable steps to ensure your accessible website is fully compliant with the EAA.
We’ve partnered with leading organizations across both public and private sectors:
- Public Sector: Great Ormond Street Hospital, The Scottish Parliament, The Criminal Records Office, West Midlands Combined Authority, Northern Care Alliance, City College Southampton, Health and Social Care Northern Ireland, London City Students Union, Arun District Council, Barnsley College, East Durham College, SeaFish
- Private Sector: Barclays Bank, Amnesty International, Liz Earle, Girlguiding, Wightlink Ferries, EdTech Hub, Egress, Poster House (US), Mindset Practice, Shine, John Ellerman Foundation
Our services do more than identify issues—they provide businesses with actionable solutions that ensure compliance and improve the user experience.
Time is running out. The EAA will be enforced starting June 28th, 2025, and ignoring it now could result in financial penalties and unnecessary operational disruptions. You do not have to face this challenge alone. Our team’s expertise and unique approach will help make your organization fully accessible ahead of the EAA enforcement deadline.
Compliance with disability access standards is only part of the equation. By embracing accessibility, your business can improve inclusivity, protect against fines, and strengthen its position as a market leader in a world where digital accessibility is rapidly becoming the norm.
Book a free consultation now to start your journey toward accessibility compliance.
