The European Exhibition Act (EAA) implemented new legal requirements for digital accessibility in the European Union (EU) on 28 June 2025.
A 2024 webim study found 97% of the world’s leading Websites Currently compliance does not meet standards. The EAA applies to companies providing digital products and services in the European Union, even if they are based anywhere. This means that businesses in the US, Asia and elsewhere will also need to ensure compliance.
Many companies are unprotected because access is not seen as a priority. According to a recent storyblok report, 18.5% of the surveyed companies were completely unaware of the EAA, and 16% had not yet started the necessary changes. Even among those who have knowledge of EAA, only one quarter feel fully prepared.
Lack of resources, technical complexity and low awareness at the leadership level contribute to the slow pace of progress. Accessibility is often considered as a compliance issue rather than an integral part of digital strategy, which delays implementation.
VP of Engineering, Storyblok.
failure to comply
Failing to comply with EAA comes with financial and operational risks. The penalty ranges from € 5,000 to € 20,000 per violation, which is accompanied by additional punishment for ongoing non-transportation. Businesses that do not meet requirements can also face reputed damage, loss Customers And ban on selling products or services in the European Union.
Separating legal implications, it is worth remembering that the accessibility affects a significant part of the population, with more than 135 million people in the European Union with some forms of disability. Companies that do not address access risk except for sufficient number of potential customers.
Businesses do not need to do their entire overhul IT infrastructure Throughout the night, but they need to start making changes. Conducting accessibility audit is a good first step. Websites and digital products should be tested against web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 standards.
While automated equipment such as lighthouse and X can help the flag of general issues, manual testing is also necessary. Including users relying on accessory technologies provides valuable insight into purpose challenges.
Improved access
A headless Material management system Exercise improvements can also be made easier. The design separates from the design allows the businesses to apply frequent features in different platforms without the need to re -do everything from scratches. Companies should also prioritize small, manageable updates such as adding alternative texts to images, improving color contrast and ensuring keyboard navigation, working correctly while planning a more comprehensive update over the long term.
Employee Training is important. Accessibility needs to be embedded in the company’s culture and everyday business processes. Regular training ensures that developers, designers and material manufacturers understand the best practices and apply them in their work. Compliance teams should also be kept with regulatory updates, as accessibility requirements will continue to develop.
Beyond compliance
Beyond compliance, accessibility provides a commercial benefit. Storylok’s research shows that 69% of companies recognize access to customer experience and connectivity as a way to improve. Digital products designed with access to mind are more user -friendly to all, not only for people with disabilities. Investing in access can now also prepare businesses for future technological development, such as voice search and AI-operated user interfaces, which will benefit from inclusive design.
A common misunderstanding is that improvement in access means scratching. In fact, small changes can have a major impact. Adding captions to the video, ensuring text details for all non-reciting materials and enabling resurrection without loss of functionality is direct but effective adjustment. Keyboard Exhibition is another important aspect, as many users rely on keyboard or alternative input devices to navigate digital interfaces.
Businesses that prefer accessibility often see direct commercial benefits. For example, retail vendors who optimize their websites for access have reported an increase in conversions, as disabled customers, often seem easy to meet an undested market, transaction. Financial institutions improving access facilities in online banking have seen an increase in customer retention and trust. Demand for inclusive digital experiences is increasing and now organizations working can establish themselves as leaders at this place.
Increasing check
Regulatory bodies are also increasing investigation on compliance. In some countries, there is an increase in cases related to web accessibility, leading to expensive settlements in high-profile cases. Larger companies have faced legal action to fail to provide accessible digital experiences and are expected to be more common with awareness in these cases. For multinational businesses, aligning with access standards is not only about meeting the requirements of the minimum European Union, but also to establish the best practices that will serve them globally.
There is no time to waste. The duration of infection before the enforcement is running out and the business that wait until the end-end risk participated in the implementation, which can still be less than compliance. Accessibility should be seen as an ongoing process instead of a one -time fix. Regular audit, user testing and accessibility with accessibility experts can help companies stay on track and adapt to future rules.
Technology continues to develop and continue businesses Web accessibility His digital strategies will have a better place for emerging innovations. AI-operated accessibility tools, voice interfaces and adaptive design techniques are changing how users interact with digital materials. Now the organizations investing in access will be better prepared for these shifts, making it easier to use digital services in a wide range of users and equipment.
Invest in access
Organizations that take a structured approach – starting with an audit, applying incremental reforms and investing in access training will be in a strong position to follow rules and serve comprehensive audiences.
Exercise should be considered as any other core compliance risk: it requires clear ownership, regular reporting and cross-functional cooperation. Working with DevelopersDesigner, and legal teams will quickly help surface issues and prevent intervals in future projects. There is a possibility of waiting by next year that the fixed and more exposure. Now the creation of correct internal processes will reduce that risk and make the ongoing compliance more manageable.
Compliance professionals should act decisively. EAA is a fundamental change of how digital services should be designed and distributed. Failing to work over time can highlight legal investigation, increase in litigation risks and potential boycott from major markets. Regulators will see the failures not in the form of minor overseas but as a violation of consumer rights.
key takeaways
Compliance teams should adopt an active approach, to identify the risk assessment should be assessed where their digital services fall less. The installation of internal policies and the structure of governance will be important, ensuring that access is built in all future development works. Training staff, integration of access to procurement procedures and working closely with IT will help organizations to maintain compliance beyond the 2025 deadline.
Continuous efforts are required to meet access standards. Updates, overs and accountability are necessary to remain obedient over time. Now the business regulators that give it priority will meet the demands, but more importantly, the situation as leaders in moral and responsible digital practices.
key takeaways:
1. Businesses working in the European Union should comply, even if they are based.
2. Awareness, technical challenges and lack of limited resources are common obstacles.
3. Non-transportation carries financial punishment and reputed risks. It can also limit market access within the European Union.
4. Practical steps, such as accessibility audit, CMS updates and staff training, can help businesses meet the requirements.
5. Improvement in accessibility gives benefits to all users and makes digital platforms more user friendly. This is a long -term investment, not just a compliance issue.
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