The European Accessibility Act (EAA)<\/a> is a major piece of legislation rolling out across all EU member states. Its goal is to ensure digital products and services are accessible to everyone, including disabled people. While the act is focused on the EU, its reach will extend well beyond Europe. Any business with consumers in the EU may be affected. In the long run, it’s a step towards improving accessibility on a global scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EAA applies to a wide range of digital services and products, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EAA applies to businesses operating within EU member states \u2014 and that includes businesses outside the EU, like those in the UK or US, if they have consumers in the EU. Importantly, it doesn\u2019t just apply to public sector organisations; private companies are included too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what should you and your business be doing to prepare? Here are five practical steps to get started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assess your products & services<\/strong> Accessibility audits<\/strong> Prepare an accessibility strategy<\/strong> Introduce accessibility training<\/strong> The EAA is a positive step forward, not just for disabled people, but for businesses too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For businesses, it introduces a shared set of accessibility requirements across the EU and beyond. That means less time spent navigating different national laws and fewer barriers to trading in new markets. It also reduces the long-term cost of compliance by setting clear, consistent expectations from the outset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s also a commercial upside. As more disabled consumers actively seek out accessible products and services, businesses that meet these needs can grow their customer base and strengthen their brand reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For disabled people \u2014 and for older people who often face similar barriers \u2014 the EAA promises better access to everyday technology and essential services. It encourages inclusive design from the ground up, which can lead to more choice, lower prices, and even new job opportunities in accessibility-related sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your business sells products or services to consumers in the EU \u2014 even if you’re based in the UK \u2014 the EAA may apply to you. It\u2019s not just for public sector organisations or large corporations. Many private companies, including SMEs, fall within its scope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rules mainly apply to businesses offering digital services, such as websites, mobile apps, e-commerce platforms, and customer support tools. If your digital offering is used by people in the EU, it\u2019s worth reviewing where you stand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is an exemption for microenterprises (usually those with fewer than 10 employees and a turnover or balance sheet under \u20ac2 million), but even then, there are exceptions \u2014 especially if your services are considered essential or widely used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you\u2019re not directly affected right now, aligning with accessibility best practices puts you in a stronger position for the future. It helps you stay ahead of upcoming legislation, improves user experience for everyone, and sends a clear message that your business values inclusivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EAA is already live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As of 28 June 2025<\/strong>, all new digital products and services covered by the legislation must meet the accessibility requirements. That includes websites, apps, e-commerce platforms, ticket machines, banking services, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you already offer these services and they were launched before this date, you\u2019ve got until 28 June 2030<\/strong> to make sure they\u2019re accessible. But any updates or new features added from now on will need to comply straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EAA is a directive, which means it doesn\u2019t point to a single standard. Instead, each EU member state sets its own rules \u2014 but most are adopting EN 301 549<\/a><\/strong>, a European standard that builds on WCAG 2.1 AA<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WCAG 2.1 AA is the most widely used framework for web accessibility, and it\u2019s a solid foundation to work from. It covers key areas like text contrast, keyboard access, screen reader compatibility, and more. Many countries are also referencing it directly in their national regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, EN 301 549 goes a bit further. It includes accessibility requirements not just for websites and apps, but also for things like PDFs, chat systems, ticket machines, and payment terminals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re aiming for long-term compliance, it\u2019s worth keeping an eye on WCAG 2.2 AA<\/strong> as well. It builds on 2.1 and adds extra guidance around mobile use, target sizes, and cognitive accessibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Squee, we help businesses work towards these standards in a clear, manageable way, focusing on what matters most for the people using your site or service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Penalties for failing to meet the EAA vary depending on where you operate, but they can be serious. Different EU member states are responsible for enforcement, and in some cases the consequences go beyond fines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s what non-compliance could mean for your business:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fines and enforcement<\/strong> Loss of customers<\/strong> Exclusion from procurement opportunities<\/strong> Costly disruption<\/strong> Reputational damage<\/strong> Legal action<\/strong> In short, overlays aren\u2019t a reliable solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accessibility overlays are tools that sit on top of your website and claim to automatically fix issues. They usually offer things like screen reader modes, text resizing, or colour adjustments. While they might sound like a quick fix, they often don\u2019t address the real problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overlays do not improve the underlying code of your site, which is where most accessibility issues are found. That means many users, especially those relying on assistive technology, will still face barriers. In some cases, overlays can even cause new problems by interfering with screen readers or keyboard navigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is growing criticism of overlays from disabled users and accessibility professionals. Relying on one could still leave your business non-compliant with the EAA and could harm your reputation with the people you are trying to support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The better approach is to build accessibility into your website from the start. This involves reviewing your design, content, and code to make sure everything works for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We can help in a few ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Squee is a web design and development company that champions accessibility and inclusive design. We follow WCAG guidelines to make sure the websites we work on are easier to use for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s how we can support your business:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ongoing accessibility support<\/strong> Run an accessibility review<\/strong> Help with improvements<\/strong>What is covered in the EAA?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What steps should I be taking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Start by reviewing what you offer and how people interact with it \u2014 especially anything digital. If you sell to or operate in the EU, this includes websites, apps, and customer support.
You should also check whether you fall within the scope of the EAA. Some microenterprises \u2014 typically those with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet under \u20ac2 million \u2014 may be excluded. But this doesn\u2019t apply in every case, especially if your services are considered essential or widely used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Run a detailed audit of your digital platforms to identify barriers for disabled users. The EAA doesn\u2019t reference specific standards, but its requirements closely align with WCAG 2.1<\/a> \u2014 the most widely used international standard for web accessibility.
At Squee, we carry out clear, practical audits that highlight where things need improving and help you take the right next steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Set out how you\u2019ll meet accessibility standards over time. Include priorities, responsibilities, and how progress will be tracked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make sure your team knows what accessibility means in practice \u2014 from designers and developers to content creators and customer support.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy is the EAA a good thing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Will the EAA affect me?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When is the EAA coming into force?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are there standards I need to adopt or aim for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What will happen if I’m not compliant?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
EU regulators can issue financial penalties, and the level of enforcement depends on the country. In some cases, such as in Ireland, non-compliance could even result in prison sentences for serious breaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your products or services aren\u2019t accessible, some people simply won\u2019t be able to use them. That means missed sales, limited reach, and fewer returning customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many public and private sector organisations are starting to require EAA compliance from their suppliers. Non-compliant businesses may be blocked from bidding for contracts or tenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Retrofitting accessibility at the last minute can be expensive and time-consuming. Planning early gives you more control and avoids rushed fixes that interrupt your service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inaccessible services can lead to negative publicity and a loss of trust, especially if customers or advocacy groups raise concerns publicly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Organisations may face legal complaints from individuals or disability rights groups. This can result in court orders or enforced changes to your digital services.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCan I just use an accessibility overlay?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How can Squee help me?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Through our support packages<\/a>, we can help you stay on top of accessibility over time, fixing new issues, answering questions, and keeping things up to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ll look at your current website and highlight anything that might need fixing to meet the EAA.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your website needs changes<\/a>, we can help you make the updates needed to improve accessibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n