European Accessibility Act: Are you ready?

Back in February, we told you about the European Accessibility Act (the “Act”), which comes into force on 28 June 2025. Time flies — and now, only a few days remain before the deadline.

So, are you ready? If you offer non-compliant products or services in the EU, you could face penalties.

What is the Act about?

The Act aims to make essential products and services — such as ATMs, smartphones, websites, and e-books — more accessible to people with disabilities across the European Union. It also applies to UK companies that place products on the EU market.

Which products and services are covered?

The Act applies to a broad range of products and services:

Products

• Computers and operating systems
• ATMs, ticketing, and check-in machines
• Smartphones
• Televisions and related equipment
• E-readers
• Payment terminals

Services

• Telephony and related services (e.g. mobile networks, emergency communications)
• Audio-visual media services (e.g. streaming platforms, TV services)
• Banking services
• E-books and dedicated e-book software
• E-commerce platforms (online shopping websites and apps)
• Transport information and ticketing services (for air, rail, bus, and maritime travel)

What do you need to do?

If you place any in-scope products on the EU market, you must ensure they meet the Act’s accessibility requirements by 28 June 2025. Products already on the market before this date benefit from a five-year transition period, ending 28 June 2030, during which they must be brought into compliance.

If the Act applies to you, start by conducting a gap analysis to compare your current accessibility features against the Act’s requirements. You may also consider testing accessibility through:

• User testing
• Mystery shopping
• Collaboration with disability organisations and advocacy groups

Next, implement any necessary changes and commit to ongoing review of your products.

You’ll also need to:

• Document when accessibility features were implemented
• Train staff and keep training records
• Provide users with a way to submit feedback and suggestions

Key accessibility principles

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines set out four core principles to guide your efforts:

1. Perceivable– Users must be able to see and hear the information presented.
2. Operable– Users must be able to navigate and interact with interfaces.
3. Understandable– Information must be clear and easy to understand.
4. Robust– Products and services must work reliably with assistive technologies.

What if you don’t comply?

Non-compliance with the Act can lead to:

• Fines
• Reputational damage
• Product or service removal from the market
• Regulatory corrective actions

Following the new accessibility standards is not only a legal requirement — it’s also an opportunity to improve user experience and expand your customer base by creating a more inclusive environment.

How we can help

If you would like help with complying with the European Accessibility Act, please contact our commercial team who are happy to help.