European Accessibility Act: 10 Days Left To Ensure WCAG Compliance
There are now only 10 working days remaining until the European Accessibility Act becomes enforceable on 28 June 2025. This legislation extends far beyond the public sector. Any private sector business trading with EU customers is now within scope.
The scale of the problem is significant. Between 200,000 and 400,000 UK businesses may be directly affected. Yet awareness remains extremely low, with no formal government communication issued.
The risks are serious. Businesses may face GDPR-style financial penalties, legal disputes, contract cancellations, reputational damage, and the operational cost of last-minute retrofitting.
The time to act is now. Proper accessibility audits, including testing by disabled users, are essential to identify the real barriers that prevent WCAG compliance. Automated tools alone are not sufficient to meet the requirements of the Act.
I have written a full compliance guide for businesses who need clarity on what is required. You can read it here:
https://accessbydesign.uk/the-european-accessibility-act-the-definitive-compliance-guide-for-businesses/
If you would like to review your organisation's current accessibility position, you can book a free consultation here:
https://calendly.com/cliveloseby/accessibility-audit-free-initial-consultation
