Do you already know what the main changes in the European Accessibility Act 2025 (EAA) are? In this article we give you a clear explanation of what the law says, which companies must comply, and the standards that must be met to foster inclusivity in digital products and services.
Table of Contents:
- what is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)
- the current laws
- what changes from june 28, 2025
- To which enterprises it applies
- deadlines
- accessibility statement when needed
- how to prepare
What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)
The European Accessibility Act is a European directive that defines requirements for the digital accessibility of products and services. Enacted in 2019, and transposed by all EU member states, it will come into force as of June 28, 2025.
The aim is to standardize the design and creation of technology products and services-including websites, e-commerce, and applications of those operating in the EU-so that they can be used without barriers by everyone, including people:
- visually impaired or blind
- with motor disabilities
- with deafness
- with cognitive problems
What the current regulatory framework says
Currently, accessibility to IT tools in Italy is regulated by Law 4/2004, known as the “Stanca Law.” The law establishes guidelines for everyone to use new technologies, accessing online services without barriers.
Until now, Public Administration, Public Entities and public service concessionaires, and private companies in some specific sectors with an annual turnover exceeding 500 million euros have been required to comply with it.
What changes as of June 28 as the European Accessibility Act 2025 (EAA) takes effect
As of June 28, 2025 , the regulations extend to an additional portion of private companies. From this date, then, access to information and services must be easy, without physical limitations.
Some of the companies that sell products and/or services online will have to absolutely:
- Review the platforms in which they operate, making them compatible with assistive technologies
- Complete – and renew – the accessibility statement for websites, apps and e-commerce
- Provide support, assistance and feedback mechanisms for users to highlight any usage issues
To which enterprises EAA 2025 applies
The Accessibility Act involves a wider slice of private companies (than before) that provide digital products and services and fall into the following sectors:
- e-commerce
- electronic devices
- software and operating systems
- banking and financial services
- transportation and travel
- electronic communication services
- audiovisual media
- e-book and reading software
Companies must also possess these characteristics:
- have more than 10 employees
- Have an annual turnover of more than 2 million euros
In other words, microenterprises, i.e., companies with fewer than 10 employees or annual sales not exceeding 2 million euros, are exempt from the EAA.
Is your business not directly affected by the directive? There are still many benefits to making your website accessible. Find out which ones:
Making your site accessible: opportunities and how to do it
In addition, although making a website accessible is very important in several respects, there are some exemptions for small and medium-sized enterprises or SMEs that employ fewer than 250 people. However, their annual turnover must not exceed 50 million euros and their annual balance sheet total must remain under 43 million euros.
In these cases, disproportionate burden can be invoked, a safeguard clause contained in the Legislative Decree implementing Directive (EU) 2019/882 on accessibility requirements for products and services-Government Act 362. Availing of it requires a documented report to show that:
- costs for accessibility of sites, e-commerce and apps may make it uneconomic to produce, distribute or sell the same products and/or services
- EAA can fundamentally alter the nature of a product and/or service
All documentation on disproportionate burden is subject to inspection. It should be kept on the farm for at least 5 years and renewed every five years.
The deadlines for complying with the European Accessibility Act 2025
As of June 28, 2025, all e-commerce, business sites and applications must comply with the new regulations. To do so requires:
- Analyze existing platforms for accessibility status, identifying any critical issues
- Review interfaces, involving technical experts, to ensure compliance with the decree
- Testing the platforms, updating different features (such as e-commerce payment methods) so that they are truly inclusive and accessible to all
Ideally, you should evaluate this change as an opportunity for your business. Optimizing the user’s browsing and/or purchasing experience, in fact, can improve the corporate reputation and increase the user base.
Discover the benefits of making your website accessible, read here:
Making your site accessible: opportunities and how to do it
What is the accessibility statement and when it is needed
The accessibility statement is a document attesting to the accessibility compliance of a website or digital product and/or service with respect to current decrees. It highlights compliance with the guidelines provided by EAA 2025 and the international standards WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). It contains all the specifications of the digital product and any difficulties encountered in achieving full compliance.
As of June 28, 2025, it is mandatory for all enterprises included in the European Accessibility Act, excluding microenterprises and those who invoke disproportionate burden. It must be issued and updated by Sept. 23 each year, only based on the template provided by AgID (Agenzia per l’Italia Digitale), the control body that verifies the accuracy of certifications.
The statement can be published as an HTML or PDF page within the website or e-commerce property. It must also be kept and shown to the agency during audits. Failure to present and publish the document is sanctionable by AgID, as well as damage to your brand reputation.
How to prepare for the June 28 deadline and welcome the European Accessibility Act 2025
In order for your company to embrace change by fostering digital accessibility, it is ideal to schedule a platform audit to see what changes, if any, need to be made.
At Isola we can provide you with a service that aligns with the requirements of the European Accessibility Act.
Specifically, we deal with theinclusion of accessibility widget to customize navigation and improve usability according to users’ needs. This is a complex path, but professionals Isola by your side you will not have to worry about anything.
This way you get an inclusive site that can be reached easily by everyone, increasing customer contacts, sales and improving your business reputation.
Write to us and find out what we can do for you!
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