The European Accessibility Act (EAA) marks a significant milestone in accessibility. The European Union (EU) has put forth this directive to improve and harmonize the accessibility standards of all the products and services available in the EU market.
EAA Compliance Deadline 2025: What You Need to Do Now
The EAA goes into effect on June 28, 2025. It reinstates the significance of the POUR principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Businesses are expected to generate compliant, accessible content henceforth. This aims to lower the market price for accessible products and services and also create accessibility-related job opportunities.
A Comprehensive Accessibility Checklist for the EAA
According to the European Council, 27 percent of the EU population over the age of 16 had some form of disability in 2023. The EAA prescribes functional requirements to meet the needs of all people. Even though the technical standard for compliance is not mentioned, it is likely to conform to EN 301 549, which includes the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Conforming to WCAG 2.1, level AA, will cover the functional accessibility aspects required for the EAA.
- Keyboard Accessibility: Can use just the keyboard to access all interactive elements.
- Easy Navigation, ARIA Elements: Clear navigation with semantic tags and ARIA landmarks that define the structure of the page.
- Sufficient Color Contrast and Focus Indicators: The contents have enough contrast and highlight focus points to ensure visibility.
- Accessible Multimedia: Provides alt-text, captions, labels, transcripts, and alternate methods to perceive multimedia information.
- Device Compatibility: Responsively adapts to different screen sizes and has clear touch targets.
- Assistive Technology and Accessibility Tools Compatibility: Allows screen readers, zooming tools, and custom changes.
- Language and Labels: Unique, simple descriptions and labels that indicate function.
- Accessible Forms: Clear instructions and error messages, save draft option, extensions for time limits, and autofill option.
- Removing Distractions and Flashing Content: Option to remove or stop moving and flashing content.
- Feedback: Provides a help desk and space to report accessibility issues.
Initiating Compliance Measures Based on the EAA Checklist
Understanding requirements is the first step toward compliance. An evaluation of the existing websites, digital products, services, and applications to identify accessibility issues is ideal. Address these issues in the order of priority through remediation while creating awareness to encourage born-accessible content. Offer role-specific training on accessibility best practices across different departments. Regular monitoring to maintain and improve accessibility is necessary. Remember to collect feedback from users and incorporate changes to improve current practices. Avoid short-term fixes. Accessibility testing and reporting would enable better accessibility policies and provide direction for future goals.
Which Organizations Are Expected to Comply with the EAA Checklist?
Irrespective of location, businesses across all sectors whose services and products are sold in the EU market must ensure compliance. There are a few exceptions with respect to organization size and turnover. B2B firms that indirectly serve the public are also covered in the EAA’s scope. Based on the origin of complaints, organizations will have to deal with the legal implications for noncompliance.
We are looking at a high-level organizational transformation brought about by EAA mandates. Accessibility is a dynamic goal that requires structured planning and expertise. Compliance is of utmost urgency, and it is no time for experimentation. What you need is Amnet’s partnership to bring decades of experience and highly skilled staff to your aid. We offer tailored accessibility services to guide organizations toward full EAA compliance specifically to the BFSI sector. From accessible banking portals to AI-powered document remediation, our comprehensive accessibility solutions help financial institutions bridge the digital divide. Reach out to us for a quick chat.
Sources
- https://reciteme.com/news/european-accessibility-act-checklist/
- https://www.acquia.com/web-accessibility-legislation/eaa
- https://www.wcag.com/compliance/european-accessibility-act/
- https://www.deque.com/blog/another-20-top-european-accessibility-act-eaa-questions-answered/
