The European Accessibility Act - you have only 65 days
What is the Act?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) establishes new rules regarding accessibility, comparable to the impact GDPR has had on Data Protection, which imposed major fines for non-compliance. The European Accessibility Act has applied to the public sector within the EU since 2019 and requires that digital platforms, including websites and apps, are accessible for every user. A WCAG compliance audit will be critical to meeting these new standards.
All private companies with EU presence must comply with the EAA when this law becomes enforceable on June 28th, 2025. Your business must ensure its accessible website and other digital platforms meet these requirements since the EAA applies to any company with a digital presence in Europe.
Why does this matter to your business?
The financial consequences of non-compliance can be severe. Many major corporations face GDPR fines that have established a strong precedent for similar penalties from the EAA:
- Google: €50 million
- WhatsApp: €225 million
- TikTok: €345 million
- Amazon: €746 million
- Meta: €1.2 billion
The EAA will start imposing penalties soon, and businesses should avoid becoming its initial targets. Failing to address accessibility now will lead to financial losses in multiple aspects. You will still need an accessibility audit in the future, but you can avoid costly penalties by starting compliance work before they enforce it. An accessibility statement can help mitigate legal risks by showing your commitment to addressing these issues.
Who are we?
At Access by Audit, we have been at the forefront of website accessibility for 18 years. Our team stands apart because we have extensive experience identifying issues through feedback from our disabled testers. Their journeys are recorded and provided as part of each audit we do.
Our organisation maintains a depth of expertise that most companies lack. Our team provides assistance to make sure your website fulfils both WCAG compliance standards and the accessibility requirements of the EAA.
Here is what we do for your business
- Our team will perform a detailed assessment of your website or application to determine all accessibility problems which violate the EAA requirements and WCAG compliance standards.
- We will assist you in developing an accessibility statement that demonstrates your company's proactive approach to resolving these matters while clearly explaining the issues to all parties. Such statements serve to lower your legal exposure while displaying organisations' dedication to accessible technology.
- Actionable Solutions: We do not just point out the problems; we provide you with practical, actionable steps to resolve them, ensuring your accessible website is fully compliant with the EAA.
Who else have we helped with their digital accessibility?
Our company has assisted prominent organisations spanning both the public and private sectors.
Public Sector organisations we have worked with include: Great Ormond Street Hospital, The Scottish Parliament, The Criminal Records Office, West Midlands Combined Authority, Northern Care Alliance, City College Southampton, Health and Social Care Northern Ireland
Private Sector companies we have worked with include: Barclays Bank, Amnesty International, Liz Earle, Girlguiding, Wightlink Ferries, EdTech Hub, Egress, Poster House (US), Mindset Practice, Shine, and John Ellerman Foundation.
The services we offer go beyond issue identification because our team provides effective solutions to business organisations that achieve compliance and produce actual user experience enhancements.
Time is not on your side
The clock is ticking. Your businesses must prepare now for the EAA, which will become enforceable on June 28th, 2025 because non-compliance will result in penalties and avoidable operational interruptions. You do not have to tackle this challenge by yourself. Our business model combines distinctive abilities and extensive knowledge to start you on the journey towards accessibility compliance before the EAA enforcement period begins.
The legal requirement to implement accessibility standards represents only a part of the total responsibility. Your businesses will gain access to inclusivity opportunities together with financial protection from fines and you will maintain market leadership through embracing digital accessibility standards, which are becoming mandatory.
As of today, April 24, 2025, there are 65 days remaining until the European Accessibility Act becomes enforceable on June 28, 2025. Time is not on your side.
Book your first consultation right now to begin your accessibility compliance journey.