The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is about to change how digital products are designed and delivered across the European Union. By June 28, 2025, businesses operating in the EU must ensure their digital products and services are accessible to people with disabilities. Failure to comply can lead to legal penalties, market restrictions, and reputational damage.
In this guide, we break down what the June 2025 deadline means, who is affected, and what steps companies need to take to achieve compliance.
What Is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
The EAA (Directive (EU) 2019/882) is a comprehensive EU directive aimed at harmonizing accessibility requirements across member states. Its main goal is to ensure that products and services are accessible to people with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and removing market barriers.
Key Date: June 28, 2025
By June 28, 2025, all new digital products and services covered by the EAA must comply with its accessibility requirements. Existing products may have transitional periods, but any new offering after this date must be fully accessible from launch.
Which Digital Products Are Affected?
The EAA applies to a broad range of digital products and services, including:
If your company offers any of these within the EU, you are likely subject to EAA requirements.
What Does "Accessible" Mean Under the EAA?
The EAA’s accessibility standards align closely with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. These standards ensure that digital products are:
In practice, this means:
Non-compliance can lead to:
Each EU member state will have designated enforcement bodies responsible for monitoring compliance and handling complaints.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring accessibility during the design phase
How to Prepare for June 2025
1. Conduct a Comprehensive Accessibility Audit
Use both automated tools and manual testing to identify existing issues. Involve accessibility experts who understand both technical and user experience aspects.
2. Fix Accessibility Issues at the Code Level
Ensure your development team corrects problems in the underlying code. Accessibility must be built-in, not bolted on.
3. Include Accessibility in Design and Development Processes
Adopt inclusive design principles from the start. Make accessibility a standard part of your design reviews, development sprints, and QA testing.
4. Test with Real Users
Conduct usability testing with people who rely on assistive technologies such as screen readers, voice input, and keyboard navigation.
5. Document Your Accessibility Efforts
Maintain clear documentation of your accessibility processes and compliance efforts. This is essential in case of audits or investigations by regulators.
6. Train Your Teams
Educate developers, designers, content creators, and product managers on accessibility best practices.
The Bigger Picture
The EAA is not just a legal obligation. Accessibility improvements expand your market reach, improve user experience for everyone, and demonstrate social responsibility. Companies that prioritize accessibility position themselves as leaders in digital inclusion.
Conclusion
The June 2025 deadline for the European Accessibility Act is fast approaching. Businesses delivering digital products and services in the EU must act now to ensure full compliance. Accessibility cannot be treated as an afterthought or a last-minute fix. It requires a systematic, well-documented, and user-centered approach.
At GetCAG.com, we help businesses navigate accessibility regulations like the EAA. Contact us to schedule an accessibility audit and get your digital products ready for 2025 compliance.