The deadline for the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is approaching, is your organization ready?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is coming, and the June 2025 deadline is now very close. However, many businesses underestimate the huge impact this legislation will have. This is not just a new directive; it is a fundamental shift that will force businesses across the EU to take digital accessibility seriously. The consequences of not complying with this law can be both financial and reputational, but the reality is that many organisations are still not well prepared. Let us summarise the potential impact this could have on your business.

What does the European Accessibility Act entail?

De European Accessibility Act (or EAA for short) was adopted in 2019 and states that companies must submit their make digital products and services accessible according to specific standards. The aim of the law is to break down barriers that people with disabilities experience when using technology and digital services. Think of websites, mobile applications, e-commerce platforms, e-books, television services, and even payment terminals. Everything must therefore comply with the new standards. The sanctions are not mild. Companies that miss the deadline risk high fines and reputational damage.

The law is strongly inspired by existing guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, but goes further by covering not only websites but also broader services such as e-money, banking, transport and telecommunications.

Why comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?

Short answer: because we have to.
Long answer: The European Commission estimates that there are currently more than 100 million people in the EU living with some form of disability. That's almost 1 in 5 people. These people represent a huge and often overlooked market. Companies that successfully implement accessibility not only open their doors to a broader target group, but also position themselves as inclusive and socially responsible organizations. This is not only good for society, but also for your business.

Who and what falls under the EAA?

The law applies to a broad group of companies and sectors. In principle, all products and services offered on the European market fall under the EAA, with a focus on companies active in sectors such as:

• Banks, insurers and financial services (online banking, ATMs)
• Telecommunications and utilities (mobile apps, websites, call centers)
• Transport or logistics (online booking systems, information platforms)
• E-commerce (web shops, platforms)
• Media and entertainment (digital television, e-books)

The impact is truly immense. For many organizations, this means that they have to review their entire digital infrastructure. These types of companies should therefore consider whether their products and services are fully compliant. Think of, for example, documents, pdfs, self-services/portals, chatbots, online platforms, mobile apps, websites and more. Everything must comply with the EAA.

Even if you are not a direct digital service provider, such as an e-commerce company, but you provide services via digital platforms or equipment that involve digital (customer) interactions, such as payment terminals or self-service kiosks, you fall under the EAA.

How do you prepare?

Companies that have not yet taken steps in this regard must take action now to ensure they meet the EAA requirements by June 2025. This starts with a thorough audit of your current digital products and services. We, at Dialog Group, can test your documents, transactional PDFs, static PDFs, website, portals, mobile app(s) and other digital platforms for accessibility. We help develop a step-by-step plan to address any shortcomings.

In addition, we help train your team and make them aware of the accessibility guidelines. Accessibility should be a core part of your development process, not an added-on afterthought. Think about including accessibility requirements in RFPs (Requests for Proposals), training developers and designers, and involving accessibility experts in project teams.

The urgency of compliance

Many companies still believe that this legislation will have little or no impact on them. This is a dangerous misconception. The law applies to companies of all sizes offering products and services in the EUIt is important to understand that the 2025 deadline is not that far off, especially when you consider how long it can take to implement large-scale changes to complex digital systems.

Ready to see how Snowflake works?

The European Accessibility Act of 2025 will fundamentally shift the way EU companies market their digital products and services. Accessibility is no longer a matter of choice, but of law. Companies that act now will have a stronger position in the market, avoid fines, and can position themselves as leaders in inclusivity and social responsibility.

The deadline is fast approaching. Is your company ready for June 2025? Dialog Group will help you where necessary.