The Countdown to Compliance
Digital regulations can be tricky to navigate, but the European Accessibility Act (EAA), effective from 28th June 2025, is critical. It aims to ensure digital spaces are accessible to everyone, especially those with disabilities. If your business operates within the EU or trades with EU customers, compliance is mandatory.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The EAA sets accessibility requirements across the EU for essential digital products and services, benefiting 87 million people in the EU with disabilities. It also harmonises rules to reduce business costs and expand market opportunities.
This legislation applies to:
- Public-facing websites, such as government and healthcare services.
- Educational platforms, including online learning portals.
- Professional service websites, such as legal and recruitment platforms.
Even businesses outside the EU must comply if they serve EU customers. The EAA requires meeting Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 to achieve compliance.
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
Each EU member state enforces penalties for non-compliance. These may include:
- Orders to resolve accessibility issues.
- Restrictions on offering services in the EU market.
Non-compliance also risks excluding millions of potential users, damaging your reputation, and missing out on SEO benefits. Accessible websites are not only compliant but also better for business.
Why Start Now?
Compliance isn’t a quick fix. It takes time for planning, implementation, and testing. Starting early allows you to:
- Distribute costs and minimise disruptions.
- Ensure your website is ready before the 2025 deadline.
By acting now, you’ll avoid last-minute scrambles and costly errors.
Accessibility Is Good for Business
Accessibility improvements benefit all users, not just those with disabilities. Features like clear navigation, descriptive alt text, and responsive design enhance usability and engagement for everyone.
For example, updating forms and navigation on a recruitment platform could increase applications and improve user satisfaction — a win for your business and its audience.
Take the First Step
The EAA isn’t just a regulation to follow; it’s an opportunity to make your website inclusive and user-friendly. At Gecko Agency, we specialise in designing WCAG-compliant websites that go above and beyond.
Let’s make it happen. Contact us today for an accessibility consultation, and we’ll help you build a website that welcomes everyone.
