The European Accessibility Act: What it means for your digital platform

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is set to change the game for digital accessibility in the EU. Starting June 28, 2025, companies across Europe will be legally required to make their digital products and services accessible to everyone—including people with disabilities.

Sounds fair, right? But what does that actually mean for your business? What are the requirements? And more importantly: is your digital platform up to the task?

In this blog, we’ll break down:

what the EAA covers
who needs to comply (and who doesn’t)
key deadlines and what the timeline looks like
common mistakes to avoid
and most importantly: what’s in it for you

What is the EAA?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU-wide law that requires digital products and services to be usable by everyone—including people with disabilities. Whether it’s your website, webshop, app, payment terminal, or even an e-book—if it’s not accessible, you’ll soon be in violation.

At its core, the EAA is about removing barriers. Not just for users, but also for businesses. Instead of 27 separate national regulations, the EU is introducing one clear standard across all member states. This standard takes effect on June 28, 2025.

The law is based on four key accessibility principles:

Perceivable – Information must be accessible to all senses, regardless of disability.
Operable – Interfaces should work with keyboard, voice, and assistive tools—not just a mouse.
Understandable – Content and functionality must be clear and easy to follow.
Robust – Content must be technically sound and compatible with a wide range of devices and assistive technologies.

Who needs to comply (and who doesn’t)?

The new accessibility rules are aimed at businesses in key sectors—especially those offering digital products and services that people rely on in everyday life.
In practice, this means that the following types of products and services must meet the new accessibility standards:

Webshops and e-commerce platforms – Online stores must be usable for people with visual, motor, or cognitive impairments.
Telecom and internet services – Think websites and apps for signing up for phone or internet plans. Forms and content must be easy to understand and navigate.
Banking and financial platforms – Online banking, payment apps, mortgage or loan tools—they all need to work with screen readers and assistive tech.
Travel and ticketing services – Real-time travel info, booking sites, ticket machines for trains, buses, or flights.
Computers, smartphones, and operating systems – Manufacturers must ensure their hardware and software support accessibility features like voice control or magnification.
E-books and media apps – Streaming platforms, digital TV, video-on-demand, and e-books must be accessible for users with disabilities.

So, who’s excluded?

The focus is clearly on digital products and services used in daily life. In reality, almost any website or app offering a product or service to consumers could fall under the EAA. That said, the law does make an exception for micro-enterprises—businesses with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet total of under €2 million. If your company meets both criteria, you're legally exempt from the accessibility requirements. But here’s the catch: if you meet only one of the two, the EAA still applies. And just because you’re exempt doesn’t mean you should ignore accessibility altogether. Even small businesses stand to benefit. (We’ll come back to that later.)

There’s also something called a “disproportionate burden” clause. In some rare cases, businesses can prove that making a product accessible would be unreasonably difficult or expensive. Think of situations where the entire product would need to be redesigned from the ground up.

Sound like an easy loophole? Think again. You’ll need solid documentation to back it up. No clear justification = no exception.

Good to know: Public-sector organizations have been legally required to meet digital accessibility standards since 2020. This includes government websites, education platforms, and other public services.

The EAA simply extends that same expectation to the private sector—starting in 2025.

What's the deadline?

June 28, 2025 is the date. From then on, all businesses in the EU must comply with the European Accessibility Act. In the Netherlands, the law takes effect on the same day.

New websites, apps, and digital services launched after this date must be fully accessible from day one. Already have a digital product online? Then you’ll need to make sure it’s compliant before June 28, 2025. Technically, that gives you some time. But don’t be fooled—getting your digital accessibility right isn’t something you patch together the week before.

Especially if you need to update existing platforms or complex processes. We’re talking design changes, content updates, technical adjustments, testing, documentation… it takes time. The earlier you start, the better grip you’ll have on quality—and on your deadline.

You might have heard people mention a transition period until 2030. That’s true, but it only applies to physical products already in use before 2025—like older ticket machines or payment terminals. These can still be used until 2030 in some cases before needing to be replaced.

But here’s the important part: This transition does not apply to websites, apps, or other digital services. Those must be fully compliant by June 28, 2025. No grace period. No extensions.

What are the requirements?

The EAA sets clear expectations for how accessible your digital product needs to be. For websites, webshops, and apps, that means following the widely recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines are structured around four core principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust. Let’s break down what that actually looks like in practice—what to do, and what to avoid.

Do's

Alt text for images – Any image that conveys important information needs a descriptive alt tag—so users with visual impairments can understand it via screen readers. Charts and diagrams should also be explained in text. Decorative images? Use empty alt text (alt="") or skip them altogether.
Subtitles and transcripts for media – Got a video? Add subtitles for deaf and hard-of-hearing users, and consider providing a transcript or audio description.
Audio content like podcasts? Include a text alternative.
Sufficient color contrast and readable fonts – Make sure text stands out from the background. Avoid relying solely on color to communicate meaning. Use legible fonts and make sure content scales or zooms without breaking layout.
Full keyboard navigation – Test whether users can navigate your site using only a keyboard. Add visible focus indicators so users know where they are on the page. Avoid components that only work with a mouse or hover.
Logical heading structure and plain language – Use clear, semantic HTML headings (H1 > H2 > H3) to structure your content. This helps both screen readers and sighted users scan pages more easily. Write in plain, accessible language (aim for B1 reading level), explain jargon, and keep it simple.
Error handling and user feedback – Interactive elements should make it clear what’s expected and provide feedback if something goes wrong. Think: labels next to form fields (not just placeholders), helpful error messages, and confirmation after successful submissions. Don’t auto-play audio or video—unless users can pause or stop it.
Test with tools—and real people – Use automated tools like Axe, WAVE, or Lighthouse, but don’t stop there. Do manual testing too, and involve real users who rely on assistive tech.

Don'ts (common mistakes)

Missing or incorrect alt text – No alt text = no information for blind users. But also: don’t stuff alt text with irrelevant info like “image1.jpg.” Keep it clear and relevant.
Poor contrast or relying only on color – If color is the only way to communicate meaning, users with color blindness or low vision will miss out. Always include another visual cue (like a label or icon).
Vague link text – Avoid generic labels like “click here” or “read more.” Screen reader users often navigate by links, and hearing a list of “click here” links is useless. Use clear, descriptive link text—like “Download whitepaper (PDF)”.
Inaccessible PDFs – Hosting PDFs? Make sure they’re accessible—tagged, structured, and with proper alt text. If not, offer the same info on a regular web page or in a different format.
No fallback for interactive content – Fancy widgets, charts, or maps that aren’t keyboard-accessible? Either skip them or offer an alternative—like a table version or text description.
Auto-playing content without controls – If you use animations or video/audio that starts automatically, make sure users can pause or stop it.

Bottom line: Follow the WCAG standards. They’re extensive, but there are plenty of checklists and tools out there to help. Start by getting the basics right—and remember, accessibility isn’t a one-time checklist. It’s a continuous process.

Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

Even with the best intentions, many organizations fall into the same traps when trying to make their digital products accessible. Here are the most common mistakes—and how you can make sure you don’t repeat them:

Starting too late – Accessibility is often treated as a nice-to-have. Something you’ll “get to later.” But that thinking can cost you. Make accessibility a priority now—not an afterthought. Bake it into your digital strategy from day one.
Lack of knowledge – Many teams assume developers, designers, or content creators will “just know” how to make things accessible. Spoiler: they won’t—unless you train them. If your team doesn’t know what proper alt text looks like, how to test with a keyboard, or how contrast works, they can’t build accessibly. So invest in skills. Train your team.
Thinking you can fix it all at once – Waiting until the last minute and then discovering 50 accessibility issues on your site? That’s a recipe for panic. You won’t have time to properly fix, test, and retest. Start now. Tackle the basics first—alt texts, contrast, link text—and spread bigger changes over time.
Relying only on automated tools – Yes, tools like Axe, WAVE, and Lighthouse are great—but they only catch about 30–40% of issues. The rest? You’ll only find them by testing manually or looking through the eyes of someone with a disability. For major changes, get a professional audit—or better yet, test with real users.
Thinking accessibility ends after launch – Maybe your site launched as WCAG-compliant. Great! But if your team keeps publishing new pages without alt texts, or your marketer pushes a flashy but inaccessible landing page—you're back to square one. Build accessibility into your workflow. Create a content checklist and make accessibility a condition for going live.
Outdated tech and third-party tools that don’t comply – Even if your CMS, plugin, or widget comes from a third party, you’re still responsible for what users experience. If your payment module doesn’t work with screen readers, it’s your customer who gets stuck—and your brand that takes the hit. So test everything before going live, ask vendors about their accessibility standards, and keep your tools up to date. Old software isn’t just insecure or slow—it’s usually inaccessible too.

What’s in it for you?

So far, we’ve mostly talked about legal requirements, risks, and potential roadblocks. But let’s be real: accessibility isn’t just a must-do—it’s also a smart move. It brings way more benefits than you might expect. Here’s what it can do for your business:

Reach a bigger audience – An accessible website excludes no one. That’s a direct win. In the Netherlands alone, over 4.5 million people have a disability that affects how they use the internet. Across the EU, that number is over 100 million. But it doesn’t stop there—think older adults, people with temporary impairments (like a broken arm or eye surgery), individuals with low literacy, or those who aren’t digitally savvy. The more inclusive your platform, the broader your reach—and more reach means more potential customers.
Better user experience – Accessibility is usability. Clear headings, intuitive navigation, readable text, easy-to-use forms—these don’t just help people using screen readers, they help everyone. When visitors find what they need faster and with less frustration, they stay longer and are more likely to return.
Higher search rankings – Accessibility and SEO go hand in hand. Search engines “read” your site just like assistive technologies do: no visuals, just structure and content. Using proper alt text, headings, descriptive links, and semantic HTML helps Google understand your content—and reward you for it. Improve accessibility, and you’ll likely boost your visibility too.
More conversions and happier customers – Fewer barriers mean more conversions. When everyone can navigate your site or complete a purchase without running into inaccessible buttons or confusing error messages, your conversion rate goes up. Some studies show up to 15% more conversions with accessible design1. Add faster load times and mobile-friendly layouts, and the impact gets even bigger.
Stronger brand and customer loyalty – People prefer to do business with companies that take inclusivity seriously. By investing in accessibility, you show that no one gets left out—and that earns trust and respect. It strengthens your brand, enhances your reputation, and makes your business more relevant. And internally? It creates pride. Your team wants to work for a company that doesn’t just talk inclusion—but actually lives it.
Future-proofing your platform – Our population is aging, and the number of people with physical or cognitive impairments is growing. Investing in accessibility now means you're ready for that future—not just for what the law will require, but for what your users will expect. It also means you won’t be scrambling to fix things later when regulations tighten or user needs shift. Accessible platforms are scalable, adaptable, and ready for what’s next.
Potential cost savings – Yes, accessibility takes upfront investment—but in the long run, it can save you money. Accessible code is cleaner, better structured, and easier to maintain. That means fewer bugs, less patching, and less technical debt. Plus, accessible platforms reduce the load on customer service, since more users can help themselves. All together, the ROI is very real.

Bottom line: Accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also the smart thing to do. It helps your business grow, improves customer experience, and makes your digital platform stronger for the long haul.

What can you do right now?

Improving accessibility doesn’t have to be a massive project—as long as you start early. Here are six smart first steps to help you stay on track for 2025:

Audit your current setup – Test your site or app—use automated tools and get real users involved.
Create a concrete plan – Prioritize high-impact improvements and tackle them step by step.
Build internal knowledge – Train your developers, designers, and content creators in accessibility best practices.
Embed accessibility in your workflow – Use style guides, content checklists, and build accessibility into your testing pipeline.
Be transparent – Document your process and share your goals—internally and on your site.
Start today – Every step you take now saves time and stress later—and instantly improves the experience for all your users.

Time to take action

The European Accessibility Act isn’t just a checklist—it’s an opportunity. A chance to make your digital experience more inclusive, more effective, and more future-ready.

Start by building awareness. Learn the language of accessibility. And most of all—don’t wait for 2025 to take it seriously. The sooner you start, the bigger the impact.

Want to learn more? Check the official documentation from the European Commission or your national government for detailed information and the latest updates.

1: https://www.mkbtoegankelijk.nl/website/european-accessibility-act-2025/#:~:text=Je%20hebt%20als%20ondernemer%20formeel,extra%20klanten%20kan%20leiden