Understanding the European Accessibility Act

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a new law created by the European Union to make sure that all people, including those with disabilities, can access and use important products and services. It’s part of a bigger plan by the EU to build a fairer, more equal society for everyone, especially people who face daily challenges due to disabilities.

Starting from June 28, 2025, many companies will be legally required to follow new accessibility rules. These rules apply to things like websites, mobile apps, online stores, banking services, e-books, ticket machines and more. The law makes it clear: digital tools and services must be usable by everyone, no matter their physical or mental abilities.

In everyday terms, the EAA is about removing obstacles. It means that someone who is blind can navigate a website with a screen reader, someone who is deaf can watch a video with subtitles and someone who has difficulty using a mouse can move through a website using only a keyboard. The goal is simple: give everyone equal access to the digital world. The European Accessibility Act sets the rules to make this happen across all EU countries, making sure no one is left behind in the digital age.

Who Needs to Comply?

The EAA applies to many different types of companies that do business in the European Union. If your company offers digital services or products to EU customers, these rules most likely apply to you. Here are some examples of businesses that need to follow the new law:

• Online stores and e-commerce platforms: If you sell products or services online
• Banks and financial services: Including mobile banking apps, websites, and ATMs
• Telecommunications companies: Internet providers, phone service providers, etc.
• Travel and transport companies: Apps or websites for buying tickets or checking schedules
• Companies that make digital devices: Like smartphones, tablets, or smart TVs
• Publishers of e-books or software: If you provide reading or learning tools online

It doesn’t matter if your company is located inside or outside the EU. If you offer these services to EU consumers, you need to comply.

There is one exception: microenterprises. These are small businesses with fewer than 10 employees and less than €2 million in yearly revenue. Even though they are not legally required to follow the EAA, it is still a good idea. Making your digital products accessible can help grow your audience, improve your brand image and future-proof your business.

What Does Accessibility Actually Mean?

Accessibility in a digital world means that websites, apps and online tools are designed so that everyone can use them. No matter their physical or mental abilities. This includes people who:

• Have trouble seeing: They may need screen readers to read the text out loud or versions of the site with bigger fonts and high-contrast colors. This helps them understand what’s on the page even if they can’t see it well.
• Have trouble hearing: They may need subtitles or captions for videos so they can follow the conversation. Written transcripts are also important for audio-only content like podcasts.
• Have limited hand movement: They may not be able to use a mouse easily. These users often rely on a keyboard or voice commands to move through a website. That means all content should be accessible without needing a mouse.
• Have learning or memory difficulties: They may find it hard to understand complicated layouts or long texts. Simple designs, plain language and step-by-step instructions make the experience easier and less stressful for them.

To follow the rules of the EAA, companies must use a set of international standards called the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. These guidelines help make digital content:

• Easy to notice and understand: Text, images, and videos should be shown in a way that’s clear and simple. This includes using readable fonts, good contrast between background and text, and offering different formats—like audio versions or larger text—for people who need them.
• Easy to use: Your website or app should work with more than just a mouse. People who use screen readers or navigate with a keyboard need to be able to move through your content easily. That means buttons, menus, and forms should all be easy to reach and use.
• Easy to read and follow: The structure of your site should be simple and predictable. Use clear headings, straightforward language, and step-by-step instructions where needed. This helps users stay focused and understand what to do next.
• Compatible with technology: Your website needs to work with assistive tools like screen readers, magnifiers, and voice commands. It should also keep working as these tools evolve. That means using modern, well-coded websites that follow best practices for accessibility.

Why This Matters to Your Business

The EAA is not just about following a rule. It’s about making your business more inclusive, competitive, and future-ready.

• Better Reach: Around 87 million people in the EU live with some type of disability. That’s a large group of potential customers. By making your website or digital tools accessible, you make sure that more people can use your services, which means more opportunities for growth.
• Improved SEO: Search engines like Google prefer websites that are well-structured and easy to use. Accessibility features—like proper alt text for images, clear headings, and logical page layouts—help search engines understand your content better. This can lead to higher rankings and more visitors.
• Enhanced UX: Accessibility isn’t just for people with disabilities. Clean design, readable text, and smooth navigation make your site easier to use for everyone, including people on mobile phones, older users, and those with slow internet connections.
• Legal and Financial Risk: If your business doesn’t comply with the EAA, you could face serious consequences. This might include government fines, bad publicity, or being left out of public contracts that require proof of accessibility.
• Future-Proofing: Digital laws are evolving quickly. By designing with accessibility in mind now, your business will be ready for new requirements later. It’s a smart, long-term investment that protects your reputation and helps you stay ahead.

What Happens If You Ignore It?

Choosing not to comply with the European Accessibility Act can lead to serious consequences for your business. These go beyond legal trouble. They can also affect your brand reputation, customer relationships and bottom line.

• Legal Penalties: Every EU country will be responsible for making sure businesses follow the law. If you don’t comply, you could face heavy fines, be forced to remove products or services from the market or face other enforcement actions.
• Exclusion from Public Contracts: If you want to work with public sector clients or bid on government projects, you will likely need to prove that your digital products or services are accessible. Without compliance, your bids may be rejected immediately.
• Loss of User Trust: Today’s customers expect businesses to be fair and inclusive. If your website or digital tools are not usable for people with disabilities, it can damage your reputation. People may see your brand as outdated, careless, or even discriminatory.
• Reactive Costs: Fixing accessibility issues after the fact often costs more than getting it right from the beginning. It may involve rebuilding entire parts of your website, reworking content, and redesigning features—all of which take time and money.

How BluMango Can Help

At BluMango, we support companies in building digital experiences that are not only attractive and user-friendly but also fully compliant with the European Accessibility Act. We understand that navigating legal requirements, technical standards, and design best practices can feel overwhelming. That’s why we break it down into clear, actionable steps—working alongside your team to make accessibility both achievable and sustainable.

Here’s what we offer:

• Accessibility Audits: We thoroughly review your website, digital tools, and content to identify where they fail to meet accessibility standards. You receive a clear, prioritized report that shows what needs to be fixed and why it matters.
• Design and Development: We create or improve your digital presence using the WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines. This includes everything from clean, accessible design layouts to forms, buttons, and navigation that work for all users, including those using screen readers or keyboard navigation.
• Inclusive Content Strategies: Our team helps you create content that everyone can access—this includes writing in plain language, adding image alt text, providing subtitles for videos, and structuring content for clarity and flow.
• Ongoing Support: Accessibility is not a one-time task. As you add new pages, features, or content, we stay by your side to make sure everything remains compliant. We also offer training and checklists so your internal team knows what to do.

With the EAA deadline fast approaching, now is the time to prepare. Whether you need a full redesign or just want to make your existing site compliant, BluMango can help you get it right from the start and stay ahead in the future.

Get in touch with BluMango today to start your journey toward full accessibility. Whether you’re ready to take action or just want expert advice, we’re here to help you build a digital presence that’s welcoming, compliant, and ready for the future.