What the European Accessibility Act Means for Your Website

In an increasingly digital world, ensuring that products and services are accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities, is not just a matter of legal compliance but also a moral imperative and a competitive advantage. The European Accessibility Act 2025 (EAA) represents a significant step towards creating a more inclusive society. Here’s what you need to know about this landmark legislation.

What is the European Accessibility Act 2025?

The EAA is a directive from the European Union that aims to harmonize accessibility requirements for certain products and services across member states. It is designed to eliminate barriers within the EU’s internal market that arise from divergent national laws. The European Accessibility Act is expected to benefit businesses, people with disabilities, and the elderly by clarifying existing accessibility regulations in EU law.

You can read more about how it benefits businesses in regards of growth, loyalty and improved SEO in our blogpost How accessibility drives growth and business value

Key Points of the European Accessibility Act

The legislation will come into effect on June 28, 2025, and will apply to a wide range of products and services, including:

• Computers and operating systems
• Payment terminals and self-service machines like ATMs and ticketing machines
• Smartphones and telecommunication equipment
• Digital television services and e-readers
• Telephony services and audiovisual media services
• Elements of transport services such as websites, mobile services, electronic tickets, and information
• Consumer banking, e-books, and e-commerce
• Emergency call services to the single European number ‘112’

The Act does not apply to pre-recorded media published before June 28, 2025, online maps if essential information is provided accessibly, content not updated after this date, and services provided by microenterprises.

Digital accessibility impact on Products and Services

Products must be digital accessible and designed to maximize usability for people with disabilities, complying with detailed rules on information, user interface, functionality design, support services, and packaging. Services must also be web compliant and provide accessible information about their features and facilities, make websites and mobile devices easily accessible, and apply practices to address the needs of people with disabilities.

What companies and organizations are affected by the accessibility regulations 2025?

The European Accessbility Act affects businesses based in the EU or those targeting the EU market. Compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is essential for web-based businesses. According to the direct

• news services (such as news websites)
• selling (books, financial services, travel services, etc.)
• advertising
• professional services (lawyers, doctors, estate agents)
• entertainment services
• basic intermediary services (internet access, transmission, and hosting of information)
• free services funded by advertising, sponsorship, etc.

Microenterprises are not affected by the European Accessibility Act

Microenterprise has been defined as: “an enterprise which employs fewer than 10 persons and which has an annual turnover or annual balance sheet not exceeding 2 million Euro.”. However, even if you fit into this category, you should plan for the future with inclusive design, specifically if you are planning for growing your business. Digital accessibility benefits everyone. 

Conclusion of the accessibility regulations 2025

The European Accessibility Act 2025 is a forward-thinking initiative that promises to make the digital world more accessible to everyone. By setting a single set of rules for accessibility, the EU is not only helping individuals with disabilities but also providing clarity and consistency for businesses operating within its borders. As we approach the implementation date, it is crucial for companies to understand and prepare for the changes that the EAA will bring.

For more detailed information on the European Accessibility Act 2025, you can refer to the official EUR-Lex summary or the comprehensive guide by Forbes.

Here you can watch the film from our webinar where we explain how you can work with accessibility.

Need help preparing for the European Accessibility Act?

Contact Epinova's accessibility experts today