Navigating the European Accessibility Act

The European Accessibility Act (EAA), officially known as Directive 2019/882, represents a significant step forward in creating an inclusive digital environment across the European Union.

As we approach the crucial compliance deadline of June 28, 2025, businesses across Europe are grappling with the technical and operational challenges of implementing accessibility standards. This comprehensive guide will help you understand what the EAA means for your organization and how specialized IT expertise can streamline your compliance journey. Navigating the European Accessibility Act: How Your Business Can Achieve Compliance with Expert IT Support.

The European Accessibility Act was adopted by the EU on April 17, 2019, with a clear mission: to enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities by ensuring that products and services from private companies comply with established accessibility standards. Building on the foundation of Directive 2016/2102, which focused on public sector websites, the EAA extends these requirements to the private sector.

The directive aims to "remove and prevent obstacles to the free movement of accessible products and services," creating a standardized approach to accessibility across EU member states. This standardization is primarily based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

Understanding the EAA timeline is crucial for planning your compliance strategy:

Member State Transposition

Member states had to transpose the directive by June 28, 2022. This means that national laws implementing the EAA requirements are now in place across the European Union.

Full Compliance Deadline

Full compliance is required by June 28, 2025 (the "application date"). This is the critical deadline that businesses must meet to avoid potential penalties and ensure legal compliance.

Transitional Measures

The EAA includes important transitional provisions that provide some flexibility:

• Pre-existing services and products may continue to be used until 2030, giving businesses additional time to update legacy systems and services that were already in operation before the compliance date.
• Self service terminals (such as ATMs and ticketing machines) may remain in use until the end of their economic life, but no later than around 2045. This extended timeline recognizes the significant investment and longer replacement cycles associated with physical infrastructure.

These transitional measures provide breathing room for certain aspects of compliance, but new products and services must meet accessibility requirements from the June 2025 deadline.

Starting June 28, 2025, the following products and services must comply with accessibility requirements:

Products:

• Hardware systems and consumer computing devices
• Electronic communication equipment
• ATMs and ticketing machines
• Interactive self service terminals

Services:

• Electronic communications services
• Audiovisual media services
• Transport services
• Ecommerce platforms and websites
• Banking services
• Ebooks and related software

Achieving EAA compliance isn't just about understanding the regulations, it's about implementing complex technical solutions that require specialized expertise.

The challenges include:

1. Technical Complexity

• Implementing WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
• Ensuring compatibility across multiple devices and assistive technologies.
• Integrating accessibility features without disrupting existing functionality.

2. Time Constraints

• The June 2025 deadline is approaching rapidly.
• Internal teams may lack the specialized knowledge needed.
• Balancing compliance work with ongoing business operations.

3. Ongoing Maintenance

• Accessibility isn't a one time fix, it requires continuous monitoring.
• Regular updates and testing are essential.
• Staff training and awareness programs need implementation.

Specialized Teams Ready to Deploy We've assembled dedicated teams of accessibility specialists who understand both the technical requirements of WCAG compliance and the business implications of the EAA.

Our experts have hands-on experience with:

• Web accessibility auditing and remediation
• Assistive technology integration
• Accessible design and development practices
• Compliance testing and validation

Proven Track Record: We're already partnering with companies across various sectors to implement comprehensive accessibility solutions.

Our specialists have successfully helped organizations in banking, insurance, fintech, healthtech, and ecommerce, sectors that face some of the strictest EAA requirements.

1. Accessibility Assessment

• Complete audit of your current digital assets.
• Gap analysis against WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
• Prioritized roadmap for compliance implementation.

2. Technical Implementation

• Code remediation and optimization.
• Integration of accessibility feature.
• Cross-platform compatibility testing.
• Performance optimization to ensure accessibility doesn't impact user experience.

3. Ongoing Support

• Continuous monitoring and maintenance.
• Regular compliance testing.
• Staff training and knowledge transfer.
• Documentation and reporting for regulatory purposes.

Rapid Deployment

With our proximity model and extensive talent pool of over 1,000 IT specialists, we can have dedicated accessibility specialists integrated into your team within just one month. This speed is crucial as the June 2025 deadline approaches.

Regulatory Expertise

Our experience working with highly regulated industries like banking and insurance means we understand the compliance landscape. We maintain all relevant ISO certifications to ensure compliance and security for clients in regulated sectors. We're well-versed in the documentation and reporting requirements that come with EAA compliance.

Cost-Effective Solution

Rather than hiring and training internal teams or engaging expensive consultants, our Team Extension model provides you with expert accessibility specialists at a fraction of the cost, with the flexibility to scale up or down as needed within 30 days.

Proven Success Across Europe

Our track record speaks for itself. We've successfully deployed teams across our primary markets in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands, with over 91 consultants currently on mission with major clients. Our approach combines technical excellence with cultural and linguistic integration to ensure seamless collaboration.

Long-Term Partnership

Accessibility compliance isn't a one-time project, it's an ongoing commitment. Our teams are designed for long-term partnerships, ensuring your accessibility standards remain current as regulations evolve and your business grows. We provide continuous project management support and can adapt to changing needs throughout the project lifecycle.

The clock is ticking toward the June 2025 deadline, but with the right expertise and approach, achieving EAA compliance doesn't have to be overwhelming.

Here's how we can help you get started:

Immediate Steps:

• Compliance Assessment: We'll evaluate your current accessibility status.
• Resource Planning: Determine the specialist skills and timeline needed.
• Team Integration: Deploy our accessibility experts within your existing workflows.

Timeline Considerations:

• Assessment Phase: 2 to 4 weeks.
• Implementation Phase: 3 to 8 months (depending on complexity).
• Testing and Validation: 1 to 2 months.
• Ongoing Maintenance: Continuous support.

Beyond avoiding potential penalties, EAA compliance offers significant business advantages:

• Expanded Market Reach: Accessible products serve a broader customer base
• Enhanced Brand Reputation: Demonstrates commitment to social responsibility
• Improved User Experience: Accessibility improvements often benefit all users
• Competitive Advantage: Early compliance can differentiate your business

The European Accessibility Act represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While the technical requirements are complex, the right partnership can make compliance achievable and even advantageous for your business.

At Aubay, we're not just providing technical resources, we're offering a pathway to inclusive digital experiences that benefit everyone. Our specialists are already helping companies across Europe prepare for the EAA deadline, and we're ready to help you join them.

Don't let the June 2025 deadline catch you unprepared. Contact us today to discuss how our accessibility specialists can help ensure your business is compliant, competitive, and inclusive.

Ready to get started? Email us at: nbd@aubay.pt