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Digital products are sold and experienced globally. You have to think about how users interact with them beyond your own borders. For instance, Europe has set one of the most comprehensive and enforceable standards for digital accessibility anywhere in the world. To access that market, you'll need to prioritize accessibility across your product's user experience, compliance planning, and development strategy.
The European Accessibility Act formalizes that shift across the European Union (EU), changing how products are built, tested, and launched. Inclusion isn't optional for your product anymore. It's fundamental.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU directive that creates unified accessibility requirements across all member states. It's designed to make digital and physical products more accessible to people with disabilities while also reducing regulatory complexity for businesses working across borders.
The compliance deadline is June 28, 2025. It may seem distant, but the scope is wide, and the impact will shape your product lifecycle for years to come. Remember, this isn't a short-term sprint. It's a structural change that calls for strategic planning and inclusive design at every step.
What Type of Products are Impacted by the European Accessibility Act?
The EAA applies to a broad range of technologies and industries. If your product is digital, public-facing, or sold in the EU, there's a good chance it falls under these requirements. The directive covers:
- E-commerce platforms and online marketplaces
- Consumer hardware, including smartphones, tablets, and computers
- Financial services, including ATMs and payment terminals
- Digital books, e-readers, and educational content
- Audiovisual media services and related devices
- Public-use systems, such as ticketing machines for transportation
Companies are expected to design for "foreseeable use." That means considering a wide range of users, abilities, and access needs. That's why accessibility shouldn't come as an afterthought. Designing for foreseeable use from the beginning ensures a smoother path to compliance and a better experience for all of your users.
How the EAA Builds on the Web Accessibility Directive
The EAA often gets confused with the Web Accessibility Directive, which is already in effect across the EU. That earlier directive applies specifically to public sector websites and mobile apps. The EAA extends these principles to private companies, products, and services that operate internationally.
Together, the two regulations set a strong foundation for digital inclusion in Europe. Understanding the differences between them helps your team cover the full scope of compliance, not just part of it.
How Web Accessibility Will Be Impacted by the European Accessibility Act
If you run an e-commerce site, a fintech service, or a healthcare platform, these requirements will reshape how you design and deliver digital experiences.
- Retailers need accessible navigation, product descriptions, customer service tools, and checkout flows.
- Banks must support inclusive digital transactions, account management, and communications.
- Healthcare providers should ensure that portals, telehealth tools, and patient communications are easy for everyone to access.
For global businesses, the EAA also streamlines scalability. You’ll work toward one cohesive standard, which will simplify expansion across the EU without the need to redesign for each market.
Failing to meet these requirements may carry consequences. Non-compliance could result in fines, restricted market access, or reputational risk across the EU. For companies operating at scale, the cost of inaction may far outweigh the investment in accessibility.
How to Prepare Your Website for the European Accessibility Act
Meeting accessibility requirements doesn't have to be overwhelming. With a straightforward process, your team can move from uncertainty to implementation with confidence. Here's where to start:
- Audit your product. Identify current accessibility gaps using WCAG and EAA-aligned evaluation criteria.
- Use inclusive design. Design your interface to be clear, make navigation simple, and offer various methods for interaction.
- Create accessible content. Write structured, readable copy. Add image alt text. Caption videos and describe interactive media.
- Train your teams. Embed accessibility in your organization's core. Give developers, designers, and QA staff the tools and training they need.
- Test with real users. Include people with disabilities in usability tests to help find problems that automation might overlook.
- Document your work. Create and update an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) to show your progress and adherence to standards.
Beginning early allows for a thoughtful adaptation, which helps in avoiding a rushed and reactive rollout.
Accessibility is a Business Advantage
The European Accessibility Act changes how companies design for global audiences. It's a rulebook that serves as a guide for building better products.
At PLUS QA, we help organizations integrate accessibility at every stage of development. Our team will support you with audits, ACR help, and human-led testing. We ensure you meet requirements and create great digital experiences.
Reach out today to get started.