EAA – The European Accessibility Act on Digital Accessibility
The European regulation on digital accessibility, which will come into effect on June 28, 2025, is Directive 2019/882 of the European Parliament, approved on April 17, 2019, commonly known as the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
The EAA aims to ensure that digital products and services placed on the European market are accessible to all, regardless of their disabilities. This means that websites, apps, e-commerce platforms, streaming services, and many other digital tools must be designed and developed to be usable by everyone, including people with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments.
Why was the EAA necessary?
According to Eurostat, one in four people over the age of 16 in Europe lives with a disability. In Italy, it’s one in five, slightly below the EU average.
This statistic highlights the importance of accessibility: a significant portion of the population has specific needs every day related to physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental disabilities.
But accessibility is not just about permanent disabilities.
But accessibility is not just about permanent disabilities. Anyone, at any point, can encounter obstacles due to temporary conditions—like a broken arm—or limitations such as slow internet connections. Accessibility affects everyone.
According to studies such as the WebAIM Million, over 95% of homepages analyzed still contain accessibility errors that violate WCAG guidelines. This means the majority of the web remains poorly accessible, with very few sites actually meeting international standards.
WCAG Guidelines
European regulations are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the global standard for web accessibility. These are structured around four key principles, summarized by the acronym POUR:
- Perceivable
- Operable
- Understandable
- Robust
These principles form the foundation for creating inclusive digital experiences for all users, regardless of their limitations.
Perceivable
Content must be presented in ways that users can perceive, regardless of sensory abilities.
Examples:
- Use alt text to describe images for screen readers.
- Provide transcripts for audio and subtitles for video.
- Ensure a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text.
- Allow text to be zoomed to 200% without loss of functionality.
Operable
Users must be able to interact with and navigate content easily, regardless of device or physical abilities.
Examples:
- Make forms usable with keyboard only.
- Provide clear error messages for incomplete fields.
- Avoid forced timeouts or allow users to extend them.
- Use descriptive labels for buttons and links.
Understandable
Content and interfaces should be intuitive and consistent.
Examples:
- Organize navigation logically.
- Use simple language for labels and instructions.
- Avoid jargon or provide clear explanations.
- Make actions and components predictable and clear.
Robust
Content should work reliably across technologies, including screen readers and various browsers.
Examples:
- Use semantic HTML tags like header, nav, main, article, and footer.
- Regularly test and update technical components.
Provide text alternatives for complex graphics and charts.
How to Make Your Website Accessible
Achieving accessibility requires careful planning and a solid understanding of WCAG guidelines. However, here are some best practices every company can adopt:
- Write alt text for images.
- Ensure strong color contrast between text and background.
- Enable full keyboard navigation.
- Use semantic headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.).
- Simplify forms and provide clear instructions.
Publishing the Accessibility Statement
Anyone—public or private—who offers digital services through websites or apps must publish an accessibility statement.
The Stanca Law already required it for public entities and private companies with average revenues over €500 million in the past three years.
The EAA broadens this obligation across more sectors: banks, transport, telecoms, and e-commerce.
The statement must be published by September 23 each year, following AgID guidelines.
To support this, the website https://accessibilita.agid.gov.it was launched in October, providing documents and tools for developers and company accessibility managers.
Business Benefits of Accessibility
Investing in accessibility means:
- Compliance with the law
- Reaching a larger market: people with disabilities represent a significant consumer base.
- Better SEO: accessible websites are easier to index and rank better on search engines.
- Improved user experience: intuitive interfaces benefit everyone.
For e-commerce, accessibility is not just a legal requirement but a growth and differentiation tool.
It improves business KPIs and brand image by sending a message of inclusion and care for all users.
Forrester studies show increased engagement from accessibility investments, while Gartner notes higher traffic and improved SEO for companies that apply accessibility best practices.
Accessibility also:
- Reduces customer support needs.
- Boosts conversion rates.
- Enhances brand reputation and customer loyalty.
Summary of Benefits
- Market Expansion: Reach a broader audience, including people with disabilities.
- SEO Boost: Improve visibility on search engines.
- Trust Building: Show commitment to inclusion and social responsibility.
- Customer Satisfaction: Provide a better experience for all users.
Penalties
Responsibility for enforcing the law is divided:
- AgID for websites and services.
- Ministry of Economic Development for products.
Sanctions can be:
- Fines based on severity and company size.
- Product withdrawal from the market.
- Website closure orders in case of serious violations.
Large companies (over €500M annual turnover) may face fines up to 5% of revenue.
Specific articles of the law (3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12) define penalties ranging from €5,000 to €40,000, based on:
- Violation severity
- Number of users/products affected
- Cooperation with regulatory authorities
Non-cooperation without valid reason may result in fines from €2,500 to €30,000.
The Future of Web Accessibility
Web accessibility is evolving.
New technologies like AI, voice assistants, and virtual reality offer new opportunities—but accessibility must be integrated from the start.
With the EAA’s enforcement, Europe sets a strong foundation for inclusive digital innovation.
What We Can Do for You
Web accessibility is not optional—it’s essential for a fair digital future.
We help you:
- Ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards.
- Write your accessibility statement.
- Audit your site or service with actionable recommendations.
- Unlock real business advantages.
With 25 years of web experience, we’ve seen the full evolution of the internet.
Let us help you embrace this new challenge—where ethical responsibility meets opportunity for innovation and growth.
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