The European Accessibility Act (EAA), which came into effect on June 28, 2025, represents a significant shift in global digital accessibility standards. While the legislation directly applies to EU member states, it also has far-reaching implications for U.S.-based businesses with a digital presence in Europe. If your company sells products or services to EU consumers or operates a website or app accessible in the EU, you need to understand what the EAA means for your organization.
What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
The EAA is an EU directive aimed at harmonizing accessibility requirements across member states to ensure people with disabilities have equal access to key products and services. It covers:
- Websites and mobile apps
- E-commerce platforms
- Banking services
- E-books and e-readers
- Ticketing machines and ATMs
- Telephony and emergency communications
Who Needs to Comply?
While the EAA primarily targets businesses operating within the EU, non-EU companies must also comply if they:
- Sell goods or services to EU consumers
- Operate websites or apps targeting EU markets
- Rely on EU-based partners or platforms to deliver services
Failure to comply could result in blocked market access, reputational damage, and financial penalties depending on enforcement by individual EU countries.
Key Accessibility Requirements
The EAA aligns closely with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. Key requirements include:
- Text alternatives for non-text content
- Keyboard navigation
- Sufficient color contrast
- Resizable text without loss of content or functionality
- Clear and consistent navigation
- Accessible forms and error messages
Steps U.S. Businesses Should Take
1. Audit Your Digital Assets
- Conduct accessibility audits on your websites, apps, PDFs, and multimedia content
- Use automated tools (like axe or WAVE) and manual testing with screen readers
2. Ensure WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance
- Ensure your entire website or application meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
- Compliance includes accessible navigation, color contrast, form elements, and multimedia.
- Remediation should be performed by a professional web developer with accessibility expertise to ensure thorough and standards-based implementation.
3. Create an Accessibility Statement
- Publish a public-facing statement outlining your accessibility policy and contact information for support
4. Implement an Ongoing Accessibility Plan
- Train developers and content creators
- Include accessibility checks in your QA process
- Schedule periodic re-audits
Benefits of Proactive Compliance
Beyond legal risk mitigation, complying with the EAA can:
- Expand your customer base to include the 80 million+ EU citizens with disabilities
- Improve SEO and overall user experience
- Demonstrate corporate social responsibility and inclusivity
Conclusion
The European Accessibility Act is not just a compliance burden—it’s a call to action for global digital inclusivity. U.S. businesses that proactively align with EAA requirements will not only avoid penalties but also gain a competitive advantage in the European market. Start with an audit, fix the gaps, and build accessibility into your digital DNA.
For expert guidance on WCAG compliance and accessibility audits, contact the team at a11ypros.com.