What Businesses Need To Know About The European Accessibility Act
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a directive designed to harmonise accessibility standards across the EU. By eliminating fragmented national rules, the Act simplifies compliance for businesses and ensures that products and services are more accessible to individuals with disabilities.
While the EAA primarily applies to companies operating within the EU, its influence extends beyond European borders. Businesses selling digital products or services in the EU must comply with these new accessibility requirements, making this a crucial development for global enterprises.
Why Accessibility Matters for Business
The EAA isn’t just about compliance, it presents an opportunity for businesses. Here’s how:
Streamlined Regulations: A unified set of rules across the EU reduces the complexity of meeting different national requirements, lowering compliance costs.
Easier Cross-Border Trade: Standardised accessibility criteria make it simpler for businesses to expand into new markets within the EU.
Competitive Edge: Companies that prioritise accessibility can tap into a growing customer base, including over 135 million people in the EU affected by disabilities.
Innovation and Job Creation: The increasing need for accessibility expertise is expected to drive innovation and create new employment opportunities in inclusive design and compliance roles.
What Accessibility Means Under the EAA
Accessibility is about ensuring that products and services can be used by everyone, regardless of ability. The EAA follows a universal design approach, meaning that businesses should aim to create products and environments usable by all, without the need for adaptation. However, when accessibility barriers still exist, further accommodations may be required under EU or national laws.
Key Products and Services Covered
The EAA focuses on sectors where accessibility gaps are most pronounced and where divergent regulations have posed challenges. The directive applies to:
Computers and operating systems
ATMs, ticketing, and check-in machines
Smartphones and telephony services
Digital TV equipment and audiovisual media services
Banking services
Passenger transport services (air, bus, rail, and waterborne)
E-books and e-commerce platforms
What Businesses Should Do Next
Businesses that embrace accessibility not only mitigate legal risks but also have the opportunity to unlock new market potential and innovation and contribute to a fairer economy. As accessibility becomes a standard rather than an afterthought, companies that lead the way will position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly inclusive world.
With the EAA's phased implementation, businesses should act now to ensure compliance. Steps include:
Assess Current Accessibility: Conduct audits to determine how products and services measure up to the EAA’s requirements.
Implement Accessible Design: Integrate universal design principles in product development and service delivery.
Train Employees: Ensure teams understand accessibility guidelines and best practices.
Monitor Regulatory Changes: Stay updated on national adaptations of the EAA to avoid compliance pitfalls.
How Can Gerrish Legal Help?
Gerrish Legal is a dynamic digital law firm. We pride ourselves on giving high-quality and expert legal advice to our valued clients. We specialise in many aspects of digital law such as GDPR, data privacy, digital and technology law, commercial law, and intellectual property.
We give companies the support they need to successfully and confidently run their businesses whilst complying with legal regulations without the burdens of keeping up with ever-changing digital requirements.
We are here to help you, get in contact with us today for more information.