5 Steps to Catch Up After the European Accessibility Act (EAA) Deadline
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) came into force on June 28, 2025, making it mandatory for businesses to ensure their websites, apps, and digital services are accessible.
If you didn’t meet the deadline — you’re not alone.
The good news: you can still take action, demonstrate good faith efforts, and reduce your risk of fines or complaints.
Here are 5 practical steps to help you catch up and move toward EAA conformance.
Step 1: Understand What’s Required
Before you start fixing anything, make sure you know what’s expected:
- Your website and apps should meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA and EN 301 549 standards.
- All users — regardless of ability — must be able to access your products, services, and information.
- The EAA applies to businesses offering goods and services in the EU — even if your company is based elsewhere.
Step 2: Audit Your Current Accessibility Status
You can’t fix what you don’t know.
Start with an accessibility audit to find out where you stand.
- Use automated tools like GetWCAG (powered by axe‑core) to scan your website for WCAG 2.2 and EN 301 549 violations.
- Review the report to identify which criteria are failing.
- Pay special attention to common issues: missing alt text, poor color contrast, inaccessible forms, or navigation problems.
Step 3: Build a Remediation Roadmap
Once you know your gaps, it’s time to plan your fixes.
- Prioritize issues by severity and impact.
- Assign fixes to your internal developers or hire accessibility specialists.
- Set realistic timelines — even partial progress shows regulators you’re serious.
Step 4: Implement Quick Wins
While working on deeper fixes, there are immediate improvements you can roll out:
- Add an accessibility widget to help users adjust font sizes, contrast, and navigation on your site.
- Publish an updated accessibility statement, explaining what’s already improved and what’s in progress.
- Make sure customers can reach you through accessible support channels (like chat or phone).
Step 5: Monitor, Improve & Document
Accessibility isn’t a one‑time project.
- Schedule regular scans and reviews to stay compliant.
- Document all the actions you take — this can protect you if questioned by regulators.
- Stay up‑to‑date with evolving standards like WCAG 3.0 and future EAA amendments.
Next Steps
The EAA is here to stay — but it’s not too late to act.
Start today with a free accessibility scan and take the first step toward creating a more inclusive experience for your users and protecting your business.