The European Accessibility Act (EAA) Takes Effect on 28 June 2025
While the UK is no longer part of the EU, UK businesses offering digital products or services to EU consumers must ensure their offerings meet the EAA's accessibility standards by this deadline, regardless of their location. Failure to meet these requirements can result in significant legal and financial consequences.
Understanding Accessibility
Accessibility is about making sure that digital content and services — such as websites, mobile apps, and online platforms — are usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. This includes individuals with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments. As more of our lives shift online, accessibility is not just a legal requirement but also a key part of inclusive, user-friendly design. It’s a growing legal and ethical focus for both public and private sector organisations.
UK Accessibility Laws
In the UK, two main laws cover accessibility:
- The Equality Act 2010 (EQA): This applies to both private and public sector organisations. It requires businesses to make “reasonable adjustments” for people with disabilities and to be proactive in meeting accessibility needs — not wait until someone raises a complaint. The law covers both physical services and digital offerings, including websites and apps.
- The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018: These regulations apply specifically to public sector organisations. The regulations require websites and apps to be accessible to all users and mandate the publication of an annual accessibility statement. These rules were based on an EU directive that the UK implemented prior to Brexit.
The EU Accessibility Act (EAA) and UK Businesses
Although the EAA does not apply directly in the UK post-Brexit, it does apply to UK businesses offering products or services to EU consumers including e-commerce websites, banking services, e-books, and more. This law comes into force on 28 June 2025.
This means that if your business has an online store or provides digital services to customers in EU countries, you must comply with the EAA, regardless of your location. The EAA aims to harmonise accessibility standards across the EU, and it’s unlikely that UK businesses will want to create separate systems just for EU customers. Instead, many are expected to adopt EAA standards across all operations for efficiency and consistency.
What This Means for UK Companies
- Don’t assume your UK-based business is unaffected — if you serve EU customers, the EAA applies.
- Aligning with EAA requirements now avoids last-minute changes and potential compliance issues.
- Rather than viewing accessibility as a regulatory burden, many businesses are recognising it as a strategic opportunity. Accessible services improve user experience for everyone and can open your business to a wider audience.
- Customers, partners, and investors are increasingly expecting businesses to be socially responsible and inclusive.
Legal Risks of Non-Compliance
Non-compliance with the EAA can lead to substantial penalties, which vary by EU member state. This is highlighted in Ireland, where an article on www.forbes.com states, “By June 28, 2025, organizations must fully comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA) or face fines ranging from €5,000 to €60,000, up to 18 months in prison, or both.” Beyond financial penalties, businesses may also face legal action from individuals or advocacy groups, leading to lawsuits, court orders, or settlements requiring rectification of accessibility issues. Additionally, non-compliance can harm a company's reputation, especially for businesses that rely on digital exports or partnerships in the EU, potentially leading to restrictions on market access and loss of customer trust.
Looking Ahead
Although the UK government has not announced major changes to existing accessibility laws, there’s growing momentum globally. The market is moving towards higher accessibility standards, and businesses that act early can stay ahead of future developments. Investing in accessibility can enhance your reputation, reduce legal risks, and tap into a larger customer base.
Further Reading: To explore this topic in more detail, read: The UK’s regulatory approach to accessibility by Megan Lukins, Senior Associate at TaylorWessing: https://www.taylorwessing.com/en/interface/2025/accessibility/the-uks-regulatory-approach-to-accessibility
