This marks a turning point for digital products and services across the EU — and for any business selling into the bloc. While many saw the EAA as a distant regulation, the deadline has arrived, and the requirements are no longer theoretical.
We’ve previously explored the origins and strategic goals of the European Accessibility Act in depth — including its legal framework, affected industries, and long-term impact on inclusive design.
If you missed that breakdown, you can read our full article here.
But with the enforcement date now upon us, we’re shifting gears from why it matters to what you need to do.
Below, we’ve broken down the key obligations and timelines into clear, actionable insights to help your business navigate this new compliance landscape with confidence.
Who Must Comply Now?
The EAA applies to a wide range of economic operators — manufacturers, importers, distributors, and service providers — that offer products or services within the EU market. Compliance is required regardless of whether the business is based in the EU or abroad.
Specifically, it affects:
- Digital products: smartphones, tablets, e-readers, ATMs, payment terminals, ticketing machines, etc.
- Digital services: e-commerce platforms, online banking, public transport apps, streaming services, and more
- Content providers: publishers of e-books, websites, audiovisual media platforms
If your product enables electronic communication, e-commerce transactions, or content access, it is likely in scope.
The EAA is horizontal — crossing industry lines. It’s not just for “tech companies,” but for any business with a digital interface used by the public.
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
Failure to meet accessibility obligations won’t just be a theoretical risk — it may result in:
- Market access restrictions: Your product or service could be withdrawn from the EU market.
- National enforcement actions: Each Member State will designate a market surveillance authority, empowered to investigate and fine.
- Civil lawsuits: Users may bring legal challenges based on discriminatory access.
- Contractual losses: Especially for B2B providers, public institutions and large enterprises are likely to require EAA alignment in procurement.
But beyond penalties, non-compliance damages trust. In today’s climate, inaccessibility can be viewed as exclusionary — and brand equity is at stake.
What Should Businesses Be Doing Right Now?
This isn’t just a one-time checkbox. Accessibility must be embedded into your compliance operations, product lifecycle, and vendor ecosystem.
Here’s what you should prioritize:
- Accessibility Audit: Use WCAG 2.1 (AA) as a benchmark for web/mobile, plus evaluate hardware UIs
- Product Design Process: Implement inclusive design standards from the ideation phase
- Training: Upskill developers, designers, and product owners on accessibility requirements
- Governance: Define internal ownership, review policies, and prepare documentation for authorities
- Vendor Management: Ensure providers of e-commerce platforms, CMSs, or payment tools are also compliant
The EAA is proactive — compliance is expected before issues arise, not retroactively.
How Compliancert Supports Accessibility Readiness
Whether you’re a multinational with complex architecture or a fast-growing SaaS company, we help bridge the gap between technical accessibility and legal compliance.
Our accessibility services include:
- Gap Analysis: Identify and prioritize fixes in your digital assets
- Remediation Roadmap: Action plans tailored to your internal resources and product timelines
- AI-Ditor Pre-Audit Tool: Simulate an audit and auto-generate risk insights
- Documentation & Policy Review: Ensure public statements and internal protocols align with legal requirements
- Legal Advisory: From procurement guidance to cross-border compliance
- We can help you become FADP compliant!
Expert Guidance, Affordable Solutions, and a Seamless Path to Compliance
