New EU Accessibility Laws Coming in 2025 – Is Your Website Ready?
Date
20.03.2025
Category
NEWS
Client
Miloš Marković
New EU Accessibility Laws Coming in 2025 – Is Your Website Ready?
Starting June 28, 2025, a new wave of accessibility regulations will go into effect across the EU. If your site isn’t compliant, you could be facing serious consequences – from fines to lost business opportunities.
The EU Accessibility Act (EAA): What Is It? This law mandates that digital services must be accessible to all users, including people with disabilities. It applies to e-commerce, banking, media, and more. Even SMEs aren’t exempt if they cross a certain threshold.
The EAA is part of a broader push toward digital inclusion across the EU and aligns with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 standards. It builds upon existing country-level accessibility laws and now creates a unified standard across all member states.
Who Is Affected?
The law applies to any business that:
Provides services online to EU customers
Has more than 10 employees or a turnover above €2 million
Operates in sectors like online retail, banking, transportation, or telecommunications
Key Areas of Compliance
To align your website with the new requirements, you’ll need to:
Support keyboard navigation for users who can’t use a mouse
Ensure compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technologies
Maintain proper color contrast (minimum ratio 4.5:1 for text)
Provide alt text for all images, icons, and media
Use semantic HTML (like headings, lists, buttons) for structure
Avoid auto-play or flashing content that could trigger seizures or confusion
Make forms accessible, with clear labels, instructions, and error messages
How to Prepare Your Website
Run an Accessibility Audit Use tools like WAVE, Axe, or Lighthouse to identify major accessibility issues. These tools offer quick insights into things like contrast ratios, missing ARIA labels, or improper heading structures.
Implement ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles ARIA roles help screen readers better understand elements like tabs, modals, and sliders. Use them where native HTML lacks semantics, but don’t overdo it—clean HTML is always the best foundation.
Test with Real Users Automated testing is a great start, but nothing beats feedback from people who actually use assistive technology. Partner with accessibility testers or user groups.
Train Your Team Whether it’s your in-house devs or outsourced designers, make sure everyone involved in your web presence understands the basics of inclusive design. Accessibility should be baked into every step of the process—not added as an afterthought.
Create an Accessibility Statement Be transparent about your commitment. A public-facing accessibility statement (ideally in your footer) can show users that you're actively working toward compliance.
The Benefits Go Beyond Compliance
Making your site accessible isn’t just about avoiding penalties:
You open your brand to a larger audience
You improve SEO (many accessibility best practices overlap with technical SEO)
You create a smoother, clearer experience for all users—not just those with disabilities
Real-World Example
We recently helped an e-commerce client update their entire product catalog with descriptive alt text, keyboard navigation, and better contrast. Within a month, bounce rates dropped by 17%, and time-on-site increased by 28%. Accessibility and performance often go hand in hand.
Final Thought
Accessibility isn’t a one-time fix—it’s an ongoing mindset. With the 2025 EAA deadline fast approaching, now is the time to act. Make your site inclusive, and you’ll not only meet legal standards—you’ll create a better web for everyone.
Not sure where to begin? Let Norpix.Studio help you build an accessible, future-proof website that’s ready for what’s next.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Have questions? Our FAQ section has you covered with quick answers to the most common inquiries.