European Accessibility Act: Your 2025 guide to staying compliant

Imagine trying to book a ticket online, only to find the website impossible to navigate with a screen reader. Or standing at a self-service kiosk that doesn’t respond to voice commands when you need it most. 

For millions of people with disabilities, these challenges aren’t just a frustration or a mild annoyance, they’re barriers to participating fully in the daily life most take for granted.

That’s why the 2025 European Accessibility Act (EAA) is such a monumental step forward. 

By setting clear standards for accessibility, it’s creating a more inclusive world. One where no one gets left behind.

For businesses like yours, it’s also an opportunity to lead the way. Meeting these standards isn’t just about avoiding fines or staying compliant – it’s about opening your doors to a wider audience and showing that you care about every customer’s experience.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to approach the EAA with confidence. You’ll learn what’s required, how it impacts your industry, and the practical steps you can take to guarantee your compliance.

Key takeaways

• The 2025 European Accessibility Act (EAA) establishes accessibility requirements for products, services, and businesses across the EU.

• It applies to industries like telecommunications, banking, transportation, and ecommerce, as well as products such as smartphones, kiosks, and streaming platforms.

• Non-compliance risks include fines, restricted market access, and reputational damage.

• Ensuring compliance means conducting audits, updating designs for accessibility, training your team, and collaborating with users with disabilities.

• Lyssna can help you achieve compliance faster and more effectively by providing tools for usability testing, design validation, and real-world feedback from users of assistive technologies.

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What is the 2025 European Accessibility Act?

The 2025 European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a landmark EU directive, coming into effect in June 2025, designed to make products and services more accessible to individuals with disabilities. It establishes clear, standardized requirements across the European Union to address long-standing barriers and provide equal access to essential goods and services.

This legislation applies to both the physical and digital worlds, setting accessibility standards for everything from consumer electronics and self-service kiosks to websites, mobile apps, and ecommerce platforms.

Its ultimate goal is to create a society where everyone – regardless of ability – can participate fully and independently.

As well as promoting inclusivity, it’s about harmonizing accessibility standards across EU member states. By doing so, the Act enables businesses to operate more seamlessly across borders, reduces regulatory complexity, and delivers a consistent customer experience throughout Europe.

What industries, products, and services does the European Accessibility Act apply to?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) impacts a wide range of industries, products, and services, meaning businesses across the EU need to adapt to stay compliant. Here’s a closer look at who’s affected.

Key industries

• Telecommunications: Services, including customer service platforms, websites, and mobile apps, must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies such as screen readers and voice commands.

• Financial and banking services: Accessibility standards apply to ATMs, banking apps, websites, and customer-facing services to make sure all users can perform essential transactions independently.

• Transportation: The EAA covers ticketing systems, check-in kiosks, and travel booking platforms, making it easier for everyone to plan and manage their journeys. It also extends to improving accessibility at physical stations and terminals.

• Retail and ecommerce: Online shops, apps, and physical self-service terminals must have user-friendly, accessible interfaces to serve a diverse audience.

• Education and training services: Platforms providing online learning or vocational training are also included, enabling equitable access for all users.

Types of products

• Consumer electronics: Devices like smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and other digital interfaces must support assistive technologies like screen readers, magnifiers, and voice controls.

• Self-service terminals: ATMs, ticketing kiosks, vending machines, and check-in machines must include features such as tactile interfaces, clear audio instructions, or visual adjustments.

• E-readers and digital media devices: Platforms and devices for reading, streaming, or broadcasting must include accessibility features like adjustable text sizes, captions, and audio descriptions.

• Household appliances: Smart appliances increasingly fall under accessibility scrutiny when they include digital interfaces.

Services

• Audio-visual media services: Streaming platforms must include features like subtitles, audio descriptions, and accessible interfaces for users with hearing or visual impairments.

• Ecommerce services: Websites, mobile apps, and platforms facilitating online transactions must prioritize accessible navigation, search functionality, and checkout processes.

• Public sector services: Government websites and portals must align with the Web Accessibility Directive but may also intersect with EAA requirements when offering public services to persons with disabilities.

• Emergency services: Telecommunication systems for emergency communication must provide accessible methods for contacting services, such as text-based communication or sign language options.

What does the European Accessibility Act mean for your business?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) marks a significant step toward building a more inclusive future. For your business, it’s a chance to make sure your products and services are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities, while also ensuring compliance if you operate within the EU or sell products and services in the EU market.

By meeting EAA standards, you expand your reach to a broader customer base, enhance user satisfaction, and establish your brand as a leader in inclusivity. Creating accessible experiences shows your dedication to addressing all your customers' needs and making a lasting, positive impact.

Think of compliance not as a requirement but as an investment in the growth and sustainability of your business – and an opportunity to make accessibility a core strength.

EAA compliance: What are the requirements? 

To comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA), you’ll need to address several key areas to make your products and services accessible to everyone. Here’s what’s required.

The consequences of non-compliance

Failing to meet the European Accessibility Act (EAA) standards can have serious consequences, but understanding these risks helps you take the right steps toward compliance.

• Legal penalties: Non-compliance could result in fines, sanctions, or restrictions on selling your products and services within the EU.

• Reputational damage: Customers and stakeholders may see a lack of accessibility as a sign that inclusivity isn’t a priority for your business, which could hurt your brand image.

• Market access restrictions: Without meeting EAA standards, you risk losing valuable opportunities in the EU market – one of the world’s largest economies.

• Customer dissatisfaction: Ignoring accessibility alienates a significant portion of the population, reducing customer loyalty and engagement.

How to ensure EAA compliance

Preparing for compliance with the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an opportunity to enhance your products, services, and customer experiences. With a clear plan and the right tools, you can take practical steps to make your business ready. Here’s how to get started with confidence.

Test with real users

Use Lyssna to test your products and services with individuals who rely on assistive technologies, such as screen readers or assistive listening devices. This real-world feedback helps you uncover barriers and align your offerings with accessibility standards.

• Run moderated or unmoderated usability studies to identify challenges on your websites, apps, or devices that could impact users with diverse needs.

• Access Lyssna’s extensive research panel of over 690,000 participants to gather diverse feedback and validate your accessibility efforts.

By focusing on assistive technology users, you can make sure your products and services are inclusive and ready to meet compliance standards.

Engage accessibility experts

Work with consultants who specialize in accessibility compliance to understand EAA requirements fully. They can help align your products and services with the law and provide tailored solutions.

Implement accessibility design changes

Update your software, hardware, and interfaces to work seamlessly with assistive technologies like screen readers or braille displays. Check navigation is clear, instructions are accessible, and communication options are inclusive.

Train your team

Educate your employees on accessibility best practices and their importance. This empowers everyone to integrate inclusivity into their roles.

Monitor and maintain compliance

Accessibility isn’t a one-time effort – it’s ongoing. Regularly update your products to meet evolving standards and stay informed about changes to EAA regulations.

Document your efforts

Keep detailed records of your accessibility initiatives, including audit findings, updates, and user testing results. This not only helps you track progress but also provides evidence of compliance if needed.

By taking these steps, you’re not just ticking a legal box – you’re building a business that prioritizes inclusivity and customer satisfaction.

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Keeping compliant with Lyssna

Achieving compliance with the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an opportunity to improve your products and services for everyone. Lyssna makes the process straightforward and effective. Here’s how:

• Run accessibility audits with assistive technology users: Use Lyssna to conduct usability testing with individuals who rely on screen readers or assistive listening devices. This ensures your offerings meet real-world accessibility needs while aligning with accessibility in UX design.

• Access actionable feedback from our diverse panel: With over 690,000 participants, Lyssna helps you gather insights tailored to your audience, whether you’re enhancing the ecommerce user experience, testing your website or validating designs for other industries.

• Pinpoint and address accessibility challenges: Identify barriers like navigation issues or usability gaps, empowering your team to align with UX best practices for ecommerce and create inclusive solutions.

• Validate and iterate faster: Quickly test and refine updates using Lyssna’s design validation tools, keeping you ahead of regulatory deadlines while building trust with your audience.

With Lyssna, you’re not just meeting EAA requirements – you’re creating meaningful, inclusive experiences that resonate with every customer.

FAQs

Are there any European Accessibility Act exceptions for businesses?

Does the European Accessibility Act apply to all websites?

What is the difference between EAA and ADA?

Pete Martin is a content writer for a host of B2B SaaS companies, as well as being a contributing writer for Scalerrs, a SaaS SEO agency. Away from the keyboard, he’s an avid reader (history, psychology, biography, and fiction), and a long-suffering Newcastle United fan.