The New European Accessibility Act (EAA)

We previously wrote about the importance of digital accessibility in our blog. With new legislation on the way, companies will soon be required to pay serious attention to this. In this blog, we explain exactly what will change.

Since July 2023, there has been a legal requirement regarding digital accessibility in the Netherlands, the "Digital Government Act". However, this legislation only applies to (semi-)government institutions, meaning many businesses do not yet fall under this requirement.

The new accessibility directive, also known as the European Accessibility Act (EAA), will dramatically change the playing field. This European legislation, which takes effect from July 2025, aims for a consistent standard in digital accessibility across the entire European Union. The goal is to make online products and services accessible to all Europeans, regardless of their disabilities, ensuring that people with disabilities have the same opportunities in areas such as the labor market, education, and transportation.

Accessibility is very important for people with disabilities. This group is larger than you might initially think. It includes not only people with visual or hearing impairments but also, for example, a large portion of the elderly. It's good to remember that not only people with disabilities benefit from an accessible world. In Europe, there are no fewer than 135 million people with disabilities, and with the aging population, this number is only expected to rise. These adjustments are therefore urgently needed. By improving digital accessibility, the number of people who can use products and services increases. In addition to a legal requirement, there is also a great opportunity for your business!

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The EAA will apply to various products and services, including:

• Computers and operating software
• E-books
• Online stores
• ATMs, ticket services, and check-in machines
• Smartphones
• TV equipment related to digital television services
• Telecommunications services, such as apps and websites from your provider
• Audiovisual media services, such as Netflix, Videoland, and Spotify
• Consumer banking services, such as online banking
• Online and offline transport-related services, such as ticket machines, apps, and websites

These products and services must be fully accessible to all Europeans, regardless of their disability. It doesn't matter whether they're produced in the EU or elsewhere; all products sold in the EU must meet these requirements. The requirements of the European Accessibility Act are based on the 'Web Content Accessibility Guidelines' (WCAG).

These guidelines serve as a checklist to assess whether websites and apps meet digital accessibility standards. WCAG provides guidelines and success criteria based on four principles:

1. perceivable,
2. operable,
3. understandable, and
4. robust.

These principles promote a better user experience for everyone. At Get Interactive, we always take these guidelines into account.

Important to mention is that the EAA does not apply retroactively to existing products, including online stores. The law specifies that only products published from June 2025 must comply with the accessibility guidelines. However, this raises questions about what constitutes a "new" online store compared to an update of an existing one. There is still uncertainty in this area. In the coming years, this definition will be further refined.

Supervision of EAA compliance falls under the responsibility of national governments. Companies that don't comply can be fined from July 2025. The exact amount of the fines has yet to be determined.

Preparing for the Future

The EAA is a law adopted in 2019 that requires EU member states to take measures by July 2025. Due to these major changes in legislation, it's wise to proactively assess and adapt the accessibility of your websites, not only to comply with legal requirements but also to improve the overall user experience.

Prepare your website for the EAA now and ensure everyone has easy access to your digital products and services.

Want more information about digital accessibility? Then also read this blog. Want to actively get started, or would you like us to take a look at where opportunities lie? We'd be happy to help! Feel free to send us a message via the form below, or give us a call.