The European Accessibility Act – What It Means And What To Do Now

The European Accessibility Act is now in effect. From 28 June 2025, any organisation offering digital products or services in the EU must comply with strict accessibility requirements. If your website or online platform can be accessed from Europe, this legislation applies to you. Whether you are based in the UK, the US, or elsewhere, the European Accessibility Act 2025 is about to reshape how digital services operate across borders. This blog will explain what the act means, who it affects, and what you can do right now to protect your business.

What Is The European Accessibility Act?

The European Accessibility Act is a piece of legislation designed to make digital services and products more accessible to disabled people across the European Union. It sets out clear requirements for public and private sector organisations whose websites, apps, or digital platforms are used in the EU. From 28 June 2025, any company trading with EU citizens must make sure their digital content meets certain standards. This includes banks, retailers, software platforms, transport providers, e-book services, and more.

The act is based on the internationally recognised WCAG 2.1 Level AA standard. This is the same benchmark used in many other legal frameworks, including the UK Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations. The difference is that the European Accessibility Act also applies to private businesses and commercial services, not just government or education sites.

Even if your company is based outside the EU, your digital content may still fall under the scope of the legislation. That is because the act is based on access, not location. If someone in Germany, France, Italy, or any other EU country can use your service online, then you are expected to comply.

Who Must Follow The European Accessibility Act?

The European Accessibility Act applies to any organisation that offers digital products or services within the European Union. This includes businesses that are not based in the EU but have customers, users, or subscribers who live there. It affects online retailers, software providers, app developers, transport companies, banks, publishers, and many others.

If your website allows purchases, bookings, or downloads from EU countries, you are covered by the act. The same applies if you run a subscription service, deliver digital content, or provide remote access to tools or platforms. Even free services must comply if they are publicly available and serve EU citizens.

UK-based organisations are often surprised to learn that Brexit does not protect them from these rules. The European Accessibility Act 2025 is about user access, not political boundaries. If someone in the EU can use your site, the legislation applies.

How The European Accessibility Act Affects UK Businesses

Many UK businesses assume that European laws no longer apply to them. That is a mistake. The European Accessibility Act applies based on where your services are accessed, not where your company is registered. If someone in the EU can use your website, app, or digital platform, your business must comply.

This includes e-commerce stores that ship internationally, charities with European supporters, software companies with EU customers, and online platforms used by European users. It does not matter whether your site is written in English or whether you actively advertise in the EU. What matters is that your service is available across borders.

The European Accessibility Act 2025 UK impact is already being felt. Companies who delay may find themselves exposed to legal risk, reputational damage, and financial penalties. It is far safer to act now and start making progress.

What Counts As A Digital Service?

The European Accessibility Act applies to a wide range of digital services. This includes websites, mobile apps, customer portals, booking systems, streaming platforms, online shops, e-book services, video players, chat functions, and much more. If your service is available online and interacts with users, it is almost certainly covered.

Examples include:

• Transport booking platforms
• Banking and payment services
• Software-as-a-Service tools
• Online marketplaces and shops
• Educational content and digital learning environments
• E-readers and digital publications

If your business relies on digital tools to deliver services or communicate with customers in the EU, you are part of the group that must comply. This applies even if your service is only one part of a larger offering. Partial compliance is not enough.

Why The European Accessibility Act Needs Attention Now

The deadline for compliance has already passed. The European Accessibility Act came into force on 28 June 2025. That means the time for preparation is over. Now is the time for action. If your business is not yet compliant, you may already be at risk.

Enforcement varies from country to country, but regulators are watching. Complaints from users are expected to increase. So are spot checks, particularly in sectors like retail, transport, banking, and publishing. If a customer in the EU finds your service inaccessible, they have a legal route to raise a complaint. That complaint can trigger a formal investigation, fines, or restrictions on your ability to trade.

This is not just a technical issue. It is a commercial one. Businesses that ignore the European Accessibility Act may face financial penalties, brand damage, or lost opportunities. Those that act now will be seen as responsible, inclusive, and forward-thinking.

What Happens If You Do Nothing?

If your business ignores the European Accessibility Act 2025 UK, the risks build up over time. At first, you may not notice any problems. Then a customer complains. Or a regulator runs a scan. Or you lose a tender because your digital services are not compliant. These are not distant risks. They are already happening across Europe.

Fines are just one part of the problem. You could also face blocked contracts, reduced investor confidence, and a damaged reputation. Accessibility is becoming a core part of procurement, especially for suppliers working with public bodies or large organisations.

Many businesses make the mistake of waiting until something goes wrong. By then it is often too late. Fixing accessibility in a rush is expensive and stressful. Starting now is safer, cheaper, and better for your customers.

The Risk Of Relying On Automated Tools

Automated accessibility checkers can be helpful, but they only catch a small part of the picture. Most tools scan code for known errors, but they cannot judge whether a user can actually complete a task. A website might pass a scan and still be unusable for someone using a screen reader or keyboard navigation.

Overlay tools that promise instant compliance can also give a false sense of security. These scripts often add accessibility features on top of an existing site without fixing the source code. This approach may hide problems from automated scanners, but it does not create a genuinely inclusive experience. It can even block assistive technologies from working properly.

Regulators and disability groups across Europe have warned against relying on these solutions. The European Accessibility Act expects real change, not shortcuts. Businesses are expected to make their digital services work natively — not just appear compliant on the surface.

The Role Of Real-User Testing

One of the strongest ways to meet the expectations of the European Accessibility Act is to include disabled people in your testing process. Automated tools can only go so far. Real-world testing shows how your website performs for actual users with access needs.

Real-user testing includes screen reader navigation, keyboard-only use, voice control, magnification, and more. It reveals barriers that might not appear in code but affect usability in practice. These tests highlight areas where your site may appear functional but fail under real conditions.

By working with disabled testers, businesses gain honest insight. They also show regulators that they are taking a serious and human-led approach to accessibility. This kind of testing is not only best practice, it is the most effective way to protect your users and your organisation.

Why Accessibility Statements Still Matter

Even if your website is not fully compliant yet, you can still reduce risk by publishing a valid accessibility statement. This is not a legal disclaimer. It is a formal declaration that shows what work has been done, what problems remain, and how you plan to fix them.

A clear, honest statement includes:

• A summary of known issues
• A roadmap with target dates
• Contact details for feedback
• A link to an accessible version if available

Publishing this kind of statement will not make you instantly compliant. However, it does offer legal protection. It shows regulators that you are aware of your obligations and taking steps to meet them. That can make all the difference in the early stages of enforcement.

How To Meet The European Accessibility Act 2025 Requirements

The best way to meet the requirements of the European Accessibility Act 2025 is to follow a clear, structured plan. Start with an accessibility audit that includes real-user testing. This will give you a full picture of your current position and help you prioritise what to fix first.

Next, address the critical barriers. These are the problems that prevent users from accessing your content or completing tasks. Fixing them shows immediate progress. Then create your accessibility statement and publish it clearly on your site.

Over time, continue to improve. Review your templates, content, images, and PDFs. Make accessibility part of your normal process. Provide training for your team. Include accessibility in procurement. These steps show that you are not treating it as a one-time fix, but as part of ongoing improvement.

Get Help From People Who Understand Accessibility

Accessibility can feel overwhelming, especially if you are dealing with it for the first time. That is why it helps to work with people who understand the real-world impact. Our team includes disabled testers who give you direct feedback based on lived experience. We help you understand what needs fixing, why it matters, and how to do it properly.

You will not get a generic report or a tick-box checklist. You will get clarity, support, and a plan you can follow. You will also get peace of mind knowing that someone is on your side. We work with public and private sector clients across the UK, Europe, and beyond. We speak plainly and act fast.

If you are not sure where to begin, we are ready to guide you. We can audit your site, create your accessibility statement, and support your team through the whole process.

Final Thoughts On The European Accessibility Act 2025 UK

The European Accessibility Act 2025 UK is not a future problem. It is here. It applies to any digital service used in the EU, including those based in the UK. If your business operates online and can be accessed from Europe, this law affects you right now.

The good news is that compliance is possible. You do not need to be perfect on day one. You just need to start. Begin with an audit, publish your accessibility statement, and fix the biggest problems first. Show progress. Show commitment. Show your users that you care about inclusion.

If you are ready to make a change, we are here to help. Our team can give you the tools, the insight, and the support to move forward with confidence. This is not just about avoiding risk. It is about doing the right thing and building a better digital future.

Book a free consultation and take the first step toward compliance today.