The European Accessibility Act Explained: How It Will Change the Digital Landscape
- Camilla Mercadante
- Nov 25
- 7 min read
INTRODUCTION
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is about to revolutionize digital accessibility in Europe, requiring developers and educators to meet new standards of inclusiveness. As technology has become an integral part of our lives, it is crucial that everyone can access digital services without encountering limiting barriers.
In this article, we'll explore what the EAA will mean for these groups and how the digital landscape will transform from 2025 onwards to make the web more accessible, regardless of each individual's residual abilities.
THE IMPACT OF EAA ON DEVELOPERS, EDUCATORS, AND GAMERS
The European Accessibility Act appears to be a challenge for those working in the digital sector, from software developers to educators.
According to the European Commission and Eurostat , nearly a quarter of the European population lives with a disability: an estimated 87 million people. However, the digital divide remains significant: in 2024, 82.3% of people with significant disabilities and 89% of those with moderate disabilities browsed the internet in the past year, compared to 95.2% of people without disabilities. This means that developers will have to rethink the design of applications, platforms, and software from the initial stages. For example, an e-commerce app will need to be easily navigable even by those with motor or visual impairments, offering customization options, voice commands, and simple interfaces.
Similarly, in the field of education, educators will be legally obliged to ensure the accessibility of educational products and online content to students. Indeed, several studies report that many students are unable to use educational platforms and require solutions such as subtitles, alternative texts, and voice-reading capabilities.
Even the world of video games is not immune to this transformation. A 2023 survey conducted by Samsung Pioneers and OnePoll among 500 adult gamers with disabilities found that 81% encountered barriers, and 39% were forced to abandon a game. A 2020 Scope survey found that 40% purchased games they were then unable to play. However, a video game that allows for full customization of controls and the use of voice recognition systems will offer everyone the opportunity to actively participate.
LEGAL OBLIGATIONS AND SANCTIONS: WHAT COMPANIES RISK THAT FAIL TO COMPLY
From June 28, 2025, companies operating in the European market will have to comply with a series of requirements to ensure the accessibility of their products and services. The EAA will require that interfaces be perceptible, operable, understandable, and robust; this will mean offering the public features such as zoom, compatibility with assistive technologies, and information accessible through at least two of the five senses. Operators will be required to provide accessibility declarations, maintain testing procedures, and affix the CE marking to certify compliance.
Failure to comply with the new law will result in severe penalties. Generally, fines will range between €5,000 and €20,000 for each violation and may be cumulated with daily penalties of up to €1,000. Some countries impose higher fines: in Germany, up to €500,000, in France, up to €250,000, and in Spain, up to €300,000. Ireland even provides for prison sentences of up to eighteen months for the most serious cases.
Furthermore, authorities will have the power to order the recall of non-compliant products from the market or suspend the provision of services. Consumers will then be able to report non-compliance, forcing the relevant authorities to intervene. If no correction is made, the chosen measure will extend to all European member states, resulting in serious reputational damage and a loss of trust.
CURIOSITY
The European Accessibility Act doesn't stop at the borders of the European Union. Even a US company shipping T-shirts to Paris or a Japanese marketplace selling in Berlin must comply with the same accessibility requirements , otherwise they risk the same penalties as European companies.
Products and services launched after 28 June 2025 will have to be compliant immediately , while existing ones will have until 28 June 2030. There is even an exception for the emergency number 112, which will be able to comply until 2027 , and self-service terminals will be able to remain in operation for a maximum Of 20 years old ;
Fines start at €5,000 , but in Spain they can reach €300,000 ; in some countries they can go even further, with penalties of up to 10% of turnover or, in the most serious cases, imprisonment . It is therefore not advisable to ignore the EAA ;
Companies with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover of less than €2 million are exempt if they only provide services ; however, the protection lapses as soon as they exceed these limits or begin producing and importing physical products, at which point all EAA rules come into play ;
The EAA requires that information be accessible through at least two of the five senses : a website or app must be navigable not only by sight but also by hearing (for example, by being read aloud), making accessibility an essential feature of digital design ;
Under the EAA , the CE marking also serves to certify that products comply with accessibility requirements . The manufacturer must prepare the technical documentation , carry out the conformity assessment and declare that the product is accessible ; importers and distributors are then required to verify the presence of the marking before placing it on the market .
GLOSSARY
European Accessibility Act (EAA) : European directive establishing common rules to ensure the accessibility of digital products and services in all Member States of the European Union starting from 28 June 2025;
CE marking : mandatory label that certifies a product's conformity to European standards, including those for accessibility set by the EAA ;
Assistive technologies: Tools that help people with disabilities interact with technology, such as screen readers, alternative keyboards, and voice control systems;
Perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust interface: four fundamental principles of digital accessibility: a product must be perceivable, easily used, understood, and work across different devices;
Software: A program or set of instructions that makes a computer, smartphone, or digital device work;
E-commerce (electronic commerce): the sale of products or services through websites or apps;
Service delivery: How a business or organization provides a service (online or physical) to users: for example, education, support, sales, digital platforms;
Exempt/exemption: the condition whereby a business or service is not obliged to comply with certain requirements or regulations;
ICT (Information and Communication Technology) devices: technological tools and systems for information and communication: computers, smartphones, tablets, software, networks, self-service terminals, telecommunications equipment;
Self-service terminals: Stand-alone electronic devices that allow users to perform transactions without the direct assistance of an operator. Common examples include interactive kiosks in supermarkets, check-in machines at airports, or payment and reservation terminals.
A NEW PARADIGM FOR DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY
The European Accessibility Act reflects a cultural paradigm shift. For the first time, the European Union has established that accessibility is not an extra, but a right and an opportunity. Considering that nearly a quarter of the European population has a disability, we understand how urgent and essential it is to break down digital barriers and include those who have so far been marginalized. In this context, the EAA will be an invitation to rethink digital design from a universal perspective, abandoning the idea of " standard users " to embrace diversity.
Looking to the future, we believe that regulation will not be static: it will expand and evolve. Today, it covers markets including e-commerce, transportation, banking, and telecommunications, but in the future it could extend to new areas, such as private healthcare, higher education, or entertainment. Technical guidelines will be updated to include emerging technologies such as augmented reality, voice assistants, and ICT devices, and greater attention will be paid to cognitive disabilities. " Adaptability " and " flexibility " will become key words for developers, educators, and businesses, who will need to plan for continuous improvements and updates.
The real challenge, however, lies in adopting an inclusive design ethic. Accessible websites will need to be faster, more intuitive, and better indexed, and it won't be a stylistic exercise. Ensuring that platforms are keyboard-navigable, that images have text descriptions, and that colors are legible helps those with disabilities and improves the overall quality of the product. A clean, semantic interface loads faster, is easier to understand, and is rewarded by search engines.
Furthermore, embracing accessibility both cultivates empathy and helps innovation find new goals. Indeed, when you start designing for people with diverse needs, you discover creative solutions that make life easier for everyone—like voice input, useful for those who can't use a keyboard and for those with busy hands. In an increasingly competitive market, the ability to meet the needs of all individuals will become a true strategic advantage. Those who embrace this mindset will improve the lives of everyone with a disability and will find themselves with stronger products, more satisfied customers, and a future where technology excludes no one.
CONCLUSION
The European Accessibility Act is a key document because it requires companies and developers to improve accessibility for all people, regardless of their disability. Coming into force in 2025, the new regulations will transform the digital landscape, imposing legal obligations and penalties for those who fail to comply.
Want to learn more? Read the following article, " A Guide to the Main Digital Accessibility Regulations: The Role of the EAA ," leave a comment below, share, and visit our blog ( ForAllWe.com ) to help spread the culture of digital accessibility. Every informed click is a step closer to a barrier-free internet.
SOURCES
The EAA comes into effect in June 2025. Are you ready? – AccessibleEU
The European Accessibility Act: What developers need to know - DEV Community
European Accessibility Act & Video Games: Going Over The Facts (June 2025) - Player Research
How the European Accessibility Act Changes the Game for Businesses - Argos Multilingual
European Disability Strategy (2010-2020) - European Commission
Disabled people less likely to be internet users - European Commission / Eurostat
Understanding the European Accessibility Act and Its Penalties for Non-Compliance - Inclusive Web
Just amazing.