Time is running out. By June 2025, all websites operating in the EU must comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA), a directive designed to ensure digital inclusivity. This isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a business necessity. Non-compliance could result in fines of up to €150,000, but the more significant risk is losing customers, credibility, and competitive edge.
Previously, accessibility regulations applied only to companies with annual turnovers exceeding €500 million. Now, all digital products and services must be accessible, regardless of company size. This shift aims to break down barriers and provide equal access to the 101 million people in the EU living with disabilities.
Accessibility is more than color contrast and font size; it’s about usability for everyone. Neglecting it doesn’t just exclude potential customers—it limits your business growth. One in four Europeans has some form of disability, making accessibility an opportunity to expand your market reach while improving overall engagement and satisfaction.
The EAA follows the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which focus on four key principles. Perceivability ensures all users can access and interpret content through text alternatives, captions, proper contrast, and scalable text. Operability guarantees seamless navigation, requiring keyboard accessibility, clear error feedback, and properly labeled interactive elements. Understandability ensures explicit, predictable content with straightforward language, consistent navigation, and intuitive interface behavior. Robustness ensures compatibility across devices and assistive technologies through proper HTML markup, cross-platform testing, and regular updates.
Prioritizing accessibility goes beyond compliance—it improves search rankings. Google’s bots navigate websites like screen readers, so a lack of accessibility features can hurt SEO and lower your position in search results. Well-structured, user-friendly websites rank higher due to their clarity and ease of use.
Businesses that embrace accessibility often see unexpected benefits. Designing for a diverse audience fosters innovation, making websites more effective for all users. Companies prioritizing inclusive design frequently experience revenue growth, proving accessibility is a strategic advantage.
Failing to act has serious consequences. In addition to fines, you risk losing customers to competitors who are already compliant. Retrofitting an inaccessible website is more complex and costly than integrating accessibility from the start. Non-compliance can also lead to lawsuits, reputational damage, and public backlash.
The good news? You don’t have to navigate this alone. Our team offers a free website evaluation to identify gaps and help you achieve compliance before the deadline.
Accessibility isn’t a burden—it’s a competitive edge. The choice is clear: lead the way or fall behind. Let’s make your website accessible, compliant, and ready for the future. With the 2025 deadline fast approaching, now is the time to act and ensure your digital space is welcoming and usable for everyone.