Developers & Businesses, Do You Understand the Mandatory EU Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA), which comes into force on June 28, 2025, marks a turning point in how accessibility is regulated across the EU. Unlike earlier frameworks that treated accessibility as optional, the EAA introduces mandatory requirements for any business offering digital products or services to EU users.
This includes some websites, apps, e-commerce platforms, ticketing systems, and software with public interfaces. The regulation applies globally. If your service reaches EU consumers, you're responsible.
At its core, the EAA aims to ensure digital inclusion for the 87 million people with disabilities in the EU. But its impact is wider, as accessibility is framed as a key indicator of digital product quality.
The EAA is based on the WCAG 2.2 Level AA standard, a global benchmark for digital accessibility. It rests on four key principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust (POUR).
- Perceivable content supports multiple sensory modes, such as alt text for images and captions for media.
- Operable interfaces must be accessible via keyboard and assistive tech.
- Understandable design requires consistency, clarity, and predictable interaction.
- Robust content must work reliably across current and future platforms.
Within the EU, these principles are reinforced by EN 301 549, the accessibility standard for ICT products and services.
Each member state enforces the EAA independently. Germany allows fines up to €500,000, France up to €250,000, and Ireland up to €200,000, including possible imprisonment. Daily penalties and public exposure of non-compliant companies are also on the table.
Importantly, enforcement covers more than just technical violations. Outdated accessibility statements, failure to show improvement or lack of audits can also result in sanctions. The law expects continuous compliance and not just one-time fixes.
Despite clear guidelines and a fixed deadline, most digital platforms remain inaccessible. As of 2024, roughly 88% of EU websites fail to meet WCAG 2.2 AA. Often, issues arise from overlooked basics: low contrast, missing labels, non-semantic HTML, or inaccessible modals.
These small gaps can make entire systems unusable for users with disabilities. But they also reveal a market advantage for teams that take accessibility seriously. This is an opportunity to lead.
Compliance involves far more than surface-level fixes. Designers need to plan for contrast, font scaling, and interactive states. Developers must use semantic HTML, ARIA roles, and maintain screen reader compatibility through all user flows.
At ASSIST Software, we've seen these demands firsthand. In the A(I)BILITIES project, we've built adaptive AI-powered interfaces for users with sensory and motor impairments. That experience has shown us how accessibility can drive both innovation and inclusion.
Teams must also integrate accessibility into workflows: regular audits, automated testing, manual checks, and ongoing documentation.
Accessibility features improve experiences across the board. Better form feedback, resizable text, and flexible layouts help mobile users, aging populations, and people in distracting or constrained environments.
Beyond UX, accessibility improves SEO, boosts procurement eligibility, and signals ethical, future-ready development. What was once considered a niche concern is now a strategic priority.
Victor Jeman, Head of the Frontend Department at ASSIST Software, says,
“When we embed accessibility early in the design process, we reduce friction, unlock better UX decisions, cleaner interfaces, and create more meaningful engagement. It's nothing but a win for everybody involved.”
The first step toward compliance is a thorough audit of your digital products. From there, gaps can be prioritized, fixes scoped, and accessibility embedded into your design and development process.
At ASSIST Software, we help companies align with WCAG 2.2 and EN 301 549 while building better, more resilient platforms for everyone.
The EAA signals that inclusive design is now the standard. For developers, designers, and business leaders, this means the work begins now.
