Digital accessibility has moved beyond an add-on; it’s a legal obligation for many businesses operating in Europe.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA), which comes into full force on June 28, 2025, introduces a unified set of accessibility requirements for websites, mobile apps, and other digital products and services.
The goal? To make sure that people with disabilities can access and use digital services as easily as everyone else. But for many businesses – especially those without in-house accessibility experts – the path to accessibility can feel unclear and overwhelming:
This guide provides those answers. Whether you’re in legal, product, design, or development, we’ll break down the EAA’s key requirements, show how they affect your digital properties, and offer a clear framework for achieving accessibility.
The EAA applies to a wide range of businesses operating in or serving consumers within the European Union.
But which businesses does it actually affect?
The short answer: most B2C digital service providers.
You may be required to comply if you:
You might have had these thoughts in the past, but they’re (probably) not accurate:
If the answer is yes, compliance is likely required, so you need to act.
The EAA doesn’t just recommend better digital experiences – it mandates them. Businesses affected by the EAA must make sure that their digital products and services are accessible to people with disabilities, based on a consistent set of requirements across EU member states.
The EAA applies to a range of digital assets, including:
Basically, any interface a user interacts with to access or manage a service is likely covered.
To comply with the EAA, digital services must follow technical accessibility standards, namely:
This is when enforcement begins. After this date, non-compliant products and services could be subject to fines, removal from market, or other legal action by national authorities.
The EAA applies to more than just how information is presented; it also affects how digital services are designed, built, and maintained. This includes user flows, interface components, media content, and even the technologies used to build your site or app.
If your business relies on digital channels to deliver services – whether it’s an online shop, customer portal, mobile app, or media platform – EAA compliance must be part of your strategy.
Online stores must allow all users to:
Secure portals and apps must:
Audio-visual content must include:
All services must make sure there are:
In short, digital accessibility affects nearly every layer of the user experience. So getting on the road to compliance means designing for inclusion from the start.
Meeting the EAA’s requirements doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul from day one. With a structured, phased approach, organizations can start making meaningful improvements right away – then scale toward heightened compliance.
Here’s a practical framework to guide your team.
Start by assessing your website, apps, and digital products to understand where you stand. Combine:
Identify the key areas of focus:
NOTE: Make sure that you use WCAG 2.1 Level AA and the EAA annexes as your technical benchmark; it’s important.
Start with achievable fixes that make a big difference:
The iubenda Accessibility Solution allows teams to make progress quickly:
Make sure that product, design, marketing, and dev teams:
Accessibility isn’t a one-off project. Make sure you build in:
Many organizations recognize the need for accessibility, but run into roadblocks when they begin implementation. Understanding the most common challenges can help you avoid delays and keep your compliance roadmap on track.
Many teams – especially SMBs – lack in-house accessibility specialists. As a result, compliance can feel overly technical or overwhelming.
The solution: Start small. Use automated testing tools, free learning resources, and accessible design libraries. And when needed, consult external accessibility partners.
Older websites or content management systems may not support semantic HTML, ARIA roles, or screen reader compatibility.
The solution: Prioritize critical pages and work accessibility into scheduled redesigns or updates. Tools like iubenda’s Accessibility Widget can help you start working towards an accessible path.
Accessibility often falls between teams – design, development, marketing, and legal – without a clear owner.
The solution: Assign ownership. Establish an internal lead or working group and include accessibility in your QA and content processes.
Some teams assume the EAA doesn’t apply to them – or they underestimate what’s required to meet WCAG standards.
The solution: Use self-assessment checklists, review the EAA’s scope, and consult legal if needed. Remember: if you serve EU consumers, compliance is likely required.
By addressing these challenges early, your organization can make measurable progress – without getting stuck in the weeds.
Whether you’re just starting your accessibility journey or looking to streamline ongoing improvements, the right tools can make all the difference.
Here’s a selection of reliable resources to help your team achieve and maintain EAA compliance.
Start with automated scans to catch the most common accessibility issues:
Automated tools only catch 30–40% of issues. Pair them with:
For businesses seeking an immediate step toward accessibility, iubenda’s Accessibility Solution:
Digital accessibility is no longer optional. With the European Accessibility Act’s enforcement deadline set for June 28, 2025, businesses across Europe – and beyond – must make sure their websites, apps, and digital services are accessible to all users.
The good news? You don’t need to do everything at once.
By understanding your legal obligations, identifying accessibility gaps, and making continuous improvements using WCAG 2.1 Level AA as your guide, your organization can reduce risk, expand its audience, and deliver a better digital experience for everyone.
The iubenda Accessibility Solution makes it easy to begin addressing requirements right away, without the need for a full rebuild.
Whether you’re in product, compliance, UX, or leadership, taking the first step today can save time, cost, and complexity tomorrow.