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On June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) officially came into force. This European directive was created to make digital accessibility a legal requirement for companies and organizations operating in the European Union.
The good news is that this transformation can be simpler than it seems, provided you start with the right foundations.
One of the biggest questions right now is who needs to comply with this new legislation.
The answer is simpler than it looks: the EAA covers most companies that offer digital products or services to consumers in the EU. This includes sectors such as e-commerce, telecommunications, banking, education, mobility, healthcare, and public services.
In practice, this means that websites, mobile apps, emails, customer service platforms, digital documents, and institutional communications must comply with accessibility criteria based on WCAG 2.2 guidelines (the international standard recommended for accessible digital products).
The first step toward complying with the new law is understanding the current state of your company’s digital presence. Tools such as WAVE, Axe, Stark, Eye-Able, and screen readers like NVDA help quickly identify common issues, such as:
While these tools are an excellent starting point, the best results come from audits carried out by specialists, complemented by real user testing that reveals less obvious barriers.
After identifying the issues, it’s important not to try to fix everything at once. The focus should be on actions that have an immediate impact on user experience and legal compliance, such as:
These adjustments place your digital presence at a more inclusive level and already meet a large part of WCAG 2.2 Level AA, which is required by the EU.
Complying with the EAA is not a one-off project; it’s a cultural shift. Accessibility should be part of the process of developing and maintaining digital products, from strategy through to execution.
Creating an internal accessibility policy, defining responsibilities, setting goals, and regularly reviewing processes are essential steps to avoid mistakes, reduce rework, and strengthen a more conscious and inclusive organizational culture.
Digital accessibility is not solely the responsibility of the technical team. To ensure a consistent experience, areas such as the following must be involved:
Internal training and cross-team collaboration ensure that accessibility does not depend on isolated actions, but rather on continuous practice.
Automated tools are useful, but they do not replace the experience of people who live with functional limitations every day. Testing interfaces with people with disabilities provides practical insights that improve not only accessibility but the overall user experience for everyone.
For those starting this journey or looking for clear guidance, JMR Digital offers a free eBook, created especially for professionals in marketing, technology, product, design, and communication, and includes:
With it, any organization can begin preparing with clarity and confidence.
Digital accessibility is an essential step toward a fairer, more competitive, and inclusive economy. The earlier you start, the easier it will be to adapt. And in the end, the user always benefits.
