What is the European Accessibility Act?
The EAA is a landmark piece of EU legislation that comes into force from June 2025. It’s designed to improve the accessibility of products and services for people with disabilities.
It covers a wide range of products and services, including:
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products, such as computers, smartphones, and software
- Public transport
- Financial services
- Telecommunications
- Ecommerce
The EAA sets specific accessibility requirements, many of which align with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA.
Does the European Accessibility Act apply to the UK?
Even if your business is based outside the EU, you could still be affected by the EAA.
For example, if you operate an ecommerce website accessible to EU consumers or provide digital services accessible to EU citizens, you must ensure it complies with EAA standards.
While the UK is no longer an EU member, the principles of accessibility remain important. UK businesses that sell products or digital services to EU consumers must still comply with EAA requirements. Additionally, the UK government has its own accessibility regulations, which often align with WCAG 2.2 AA.
Key Steps to European Accessibility Act compliance
1.Conduct a comprehensive Accessibility Audit:
- Assess your website, mobile apps, and other digital products against WCAG 2.2 AA.
- Identify and prioritise accessibility issues.
2. Prioritise Key User Journeys:
- Focus on essential user experiences, such as product search, checkout processes, and account management.
3. Implement accessibility improvements:
- Work with your development and design teams to fix identified issues.
- Ensure content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.
4. Train your team:
- Provide accessibility training to all relevant staff, including developers, designers, and content creators.
5. Monitor and maintain accessibility:
- Regularly test and update your digital products to maintain compliance.
- Establish an ongoing process to address new accessibility issues.
6. Consult with experts:
- Seek guidance from accessibility experts to ensure compliance with EAA requirements and best practices.
The Benefits of accessibility
Beyond legal compliance, accessibility offers numerous benefits for businesses:
- Expanded Market Reach: Accessibility opens your products and services to a wider audience, including people with disabilities.
- Enhanced User Experience: Accessible designs benefit all users, improving overall usability and satisfaction.
- Positive Brand Reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility can enhance your brand image and customer loyalty.
We highly recommend monitoring regulatory changes to keep track of any updates or clarifications to the EAA regulations, as they may impact your compliance efforts.
You can also consult with legal experts who specialise in accessibility law if you have any specific questions or concerns about EAA compliance.
Accessibility at Un.titled
For us, accessibility remains central to every project. We regularly create resources to help you improve your own understanding of web accessibility – whether that’s highlighting its importance, how you can improve accessibility, how it affects usability and brand perception, or the need for strong accessibility in arts and culture.
We ensure that our teams are aware of accessibility and that it’s embedded in our processes from discovery to design, build and testing. We also work with clients to help them understand it too.
By proactively addressing accessibility, you can ensure your business is compliant with the EAA and other relevant regulations, while also creating a more inclusive and user-friendly digital experience.
If you need help with improving your website’s accessibility, just say [email protected].
