How to be compliant with the European Accessibility Act

With the European Accessibility Act coming into effect in 2025, businesses operating websites in Germany - and other EU countries - will be required to meet new digital accessibility standards. Don’t assume that no changes are required if your sites already meet the legal requirements for the UK or USA, as there are some key differences to be compliant with each EU country’s interpretation of the European Accessibility Act (EAA).

Below we outline what the EAA requires and how it differs from existing UK regulations, specifically referencing German legislation as it's the most likely to impact UK companies.

What is digital accessibility, and why is it important?

Digital accessibility involves designing websites, apps and other digital tools so that they can be accessed and used easily by everyone, including those with disabilities and cognitive impairments. Ensuring digital accessibility isn’t just a legal obligation – it’s also an opportunity to enhance user experience, reach a larger audience and boost brand reputation. 

For businesses that want to stay competitive and inclusive, complying with accessibility standards is vital. In addition to improving usability for all users, accessible websites rank better in search engines, increase customer satisfaction and reduce legal risks. At Inviqa we believe it is our social responsibility to provide an inclusive and accessible digital space for everyone, and is something that we are passionate about sharing.

The European Accessibility Act: an overview

The European Accessibility Act is a directive that was introduced to harmonise standards across the EU, ensuring that everyone can access key digital services with equal ease.

It applies to both public and private sector organisations and will impact software, hardware and services – including ecommerce, publishing, banking and telecommunications. It applies to any business trading within the EU, regardless of where it’s based. Each country must publish their own individual laws and regulations, resulting in a variety of penalties for non-compliance based on the country you are trading in. Businesses trading in Germany must be compliant with its national interpretation of the requirements – the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) or Accessibility Strengthening Act - by 28^th June 2025.

For UK-based businesses with a presence or websites operating in Germany, this will have significant implications. Even if you are already meet the UK accessibility standards, you will need to assess whether your German sites and digital services meet the standards to be compliant. 

UK vs EAA accessibility standards: key differences

While UK businesses are already familiar with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, the EAA introduces new requirements that extend beyond these standards. Here are some of the areas where we see key differences:

1. Scope

   The UK’s accessibility regulations mainly focus on public sector websites and apps, whereas the EAA applies to a broader range of digital services, including private sector businesses that sell goods and services online. 

2. Technical requirements

   The UK and the EU rely on WCAG 2.1 as a technical benchmark, and the good news is that businesses already adhering to the WCAG guidelines are already well on their way to meeting the EAA’s requirements, especially if your business is done solely via your website. However, the EAA has additional requirements for assistive technologies, such as ensuring compatibility with screen readers, speech recognition software and other accessibility tools.

   Both the accessibility features and information on how to activate them must be easily accessible, and websites will require a public accessibility statement that sets out how the service provided meets the relevant accessibility standards. 

3. Monitoring and enforcement

   The EAA imposes stricter monitoring and enforcement procedures than the UK. In Germany, for example, compliance with the EAA is overseen by national authorities who will carry out checks and may issue penalties for non-compliance.

   Products found to be non-compliant may be prohibited or restricted from being made available to the national market, or may be required to withdraw from the market all together. They may also take steps to stop non-compliant services, and violations can be sanctioned with fines of up to €100,000.

Steps to ensure compliance for German websites

If your business is already compliant with UK accessibility legislation here are some additional steps you should take to ensure your German site is fully compliant with the country’s Accessibility Strengthening Act:

1. Conduct a comprehensive audit – start by carrying out a detailed accessibility audit on your German sites and mobile apps. This will help identify any areas where your site may fall short of the EAA standards. Focus on elements such as compatibility with assistive technologies, text alternatives for non-text content, and accessible navigation structures. 

2. Speak to web accessibility experts – consulting accessibility experts, such as the team here at Inviqa, will help your business to navigate any complexities, giving you a clearer path towards implementing the necessary changes and ensuring full compliance with both UK and EAA regulations. 

3. Address language-specific accessibility issues – take steps to ensure that all content provided in German meets accessibility standards. For example, any content that’s been translated into German must still maintain the readability and accessibility of its original language. This includes any alt text for images, captions for video content and accessible forms. 

4. Update company policies and procedures – update your internal processes to align with the EAA’s requirements. This could involve implementing accessibility checks into your web development processes, regular testing, and training your staff on the new EAA regulations so they know what to look out for. 

5. Create a public accessibility statement – this must include a general description of the service and how it meets the relevant accessibility requirements, any explanations needed to provide an understanding of the service, and relevant contact information in case any users encounter issues. The information must be made available in both written and oral formats, and must be accessible to those with disabilities. 

Preparing for the European Accessibility Act and beyond

With the EAA set to take full effect by the end of June 2025, now is the time to ensure your EU websites and applications meet the required accessibility standards. Acting early will help your business to avoid last-minute changes and costly fines, while also improving the user experience for all visitors. 

Once the EAA regulations are in place, we’re also likely to see other countries tighten their requirements. One pro tip from Konnie Zarnaveli, the Inviqa experience design team’s accessibility champion, would be to consider integrating any changes to your EU websites into your UK site. UK accessibility regulations could also be subject to change in the next few years, making it beneficial to bring all your websites up to the same accessibility standard, regardless of the country they serve.

This could be a great way to ‘future-proof’ your sites, as well as cementing your business as a leader in the accessibility space. If changes to your EU sites are already being made, the effort and cost to synchronise these across all sites would be minimal. 

Compliance with digital accessibility standards is becoming more crucial than ever, but with the right approach, it can be a smooth process. At Inviqa, we have the expertise to help businesses through the process of meeting accessibility best practices and ensuring full compliance with both UK and EAA regulations. 

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business thrive in a more inclusive digital world.