The EAA Countdown: Why June 2025 Matters for Businesses Everywhere

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) deadline is approaching, with implementation milestones beginning in June 2025. And while many organizations assume this legislation only impacts European businesses, the reality extends much further. Any company that conducts business with European customers needs to understand how the EAA affects them — and prepare accordingly.

What Is the European Accessibility Act?

The European Accessibility Act is an EU directive designed to remove barriers created by differing accessibility regulations across member states. Unlike the GDPR (a regulation applied across the EU), the EAA is a directive that each member state must transpose into national legislation.

The EAA establishes baseline accessibility requirements for products and services, ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to:

• E-commerce websites and mobile applications
• Banking services
• Consumer terminal equipment
• Self-service terminals and payment systems
• Transportation services
• Digital books
• And more

Importantly for digital businesses, if you sell products or services to European customers through websites or applications, you likely fall under the EAA's scope.

Understanding Common Accessibility Challenges

Implementing accessibility improvements goes beyond simply following technical guidelines — it requires a comprehensive approach that combines technical expertise, user empathy, and organizational commitment to create truly inclusive digital experiences.

Varied User Needs

To develop accessible digital experiences, you must first understand the diverse ways people interact with technology. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 16% of the global population has some form of disability, with one in four adults in the EU affected. Each type of disability presents unique challenges that require specific accommodations:

• Visual impairments

  From color blindness (affecting approximately 8% of men) to complete blindness

• Hearing impairments

  Requiring captions and transcripts for audio content

• Motor disabilities

  Necessitating keyboard-navigable interfaces

• Cognitive disabilities

  Requiring clear, consistent layouts and instructions

Consider this: Often, “must have” requirements for people with specific disabilities benefit everyone. For example, captions designed initially for deaf users benefit many others in noisy environments or when audio must be muted.

Technical Implementation Challenges

Moving from accessibility awareness to implementation often comes with unexpected issues. Common technical challenges include:

• Making complex interactive elements like forms and shopping carts accessible
• Ensuring third-party integrations maintain accessibility standards
• Balancing design aesthetics with accessibility requirements
• Maintaining accessibility through website updates and content changes
   

If improperly implemented, something as seemingly simple as a checkbox field for accepting terms and conditions can become a major barrier, potentially preventing users from completing transactions.

Beyond Europe: Why Global Businesses Must Pay Attention

Even if your company isn't based in Europe, the EAA may still affect your organization. 

1. You serve European customers: If you sell products or services to customers in EU member states, you must comply with the EAA requirements for those transactions.
    
2. Different national implementations: Each EU member state has created its version of the legislation, potentially with stricter standards than the baseline. Ireland, for example, has established fines up to €60,000 or even jail time for violations, while the Netherlands has implemented penalties up to 10% of annual turnover.
    
3. Business-to-business implications: Business-to-business e-commerce is not excluded from the EAA. If your organization sells to other businesses in Europe, you still need to ensure your digital platforms are accessible.
    
4. Global accessibility trend: The EAA reflects a worldwide movement toward digital accessibility. Similar legislation exists or is developing in many regions, making accessibility compliance increasingly important globally.

Practical Steps for EAA Compliance

The June 28, 2025, implementation deadline will be here before you know it, so the time to move from awareness to implementation is now. Rather than viewing accessibility as a one-time project, think about integrating accessibility into your ongoing digital processes. Here are the steps your organization should take to prepare for the approaching deadline. 

1. Assess Your Current Accessibility Status

Before making changes, evaluate your organization's current accessibility compliance:

• Understand what local legislation applies to your business based on where you operate
• Assess your leadership team's commitment to accessibility
• Evaluate your team's existing accessibility skills and awareness
• Review your current tools and processes for accessibility testing
• Audit your products and services for compliance gaps

2. Establish Clear Accessibility Goals and Policies

Based on your assessment, create a roadmap with:

• Defined compliance standards (The EAA references WCAG standards)
• Clear goals beyond minimum compliance, if desired
• Measurable targets for accessibility implementation
• Timeline aligned with EAA deadlines

3. Assign Roles and Responsibilities

Remember that accessibility requires an organization-wide commitment:

• Secure high-level management support for necessary resources
• Identify accessibility champions throughout the organization
• Clearly define who owns accessibility in each department
• Create cross-functional collaboration for accessibility initiatives

The most successful organizations combine top-down support with bottom-up enthusiasm from team members passionate about accessibility.

4. Implement Testing and Feedback Systems

Effective accessibility compliance requires ongoing verification:

• Combine automated testing tools with manual evaluation
• Create channels for users to report accessibility issues
• Regularly review and address accessibility feedback
• Document all accessibility improvement efforts (important for demonstrating compliance)

The Business Case for Accessibility

While compliance with the EAA is mandatory for companies serving European markets, accessibility offers broader benefits:

• Access to a larger customer base
• Improved user experience for all customers
• Enhanced brand reputation through inclusive design
• Reduced legal risk across multiple jurisdictions
• Competitive advantage in an increasingly accessibility-conscious market

How Acquia Can Help

Meeting the European Accessibility Act requirements doesn't have to be overwhelming. Acquia Optimize provides powerful accessibility scanning tools that help identify WCAG compliance issues on your website and provide clear guidance on how to fix them.

Our web governance solution helps you maintain ongoing compliance while documenting your efforts — a critical component for demonstrating good faith compliance with the EAA.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is made available by Acquia for informational purposes only to provide customers with a general understanding of current legal developments. It should not be construed as providing specific legal advice, and you acknowledge that no attorney/client relationship exists between you or any third party and Acquia. This article should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed lawyer in your jurisdiction.