The European Accessibility Act: What it means for corporate websites
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is set to come into force across the EU on 28 June 2025, along with a new set of digital accessibility requirements that will have significant implications for many corporate websites, particularly those that may have previously considered themselves exempt.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU Directive, and while it doesn’t apply directly in the UK, it does affect UK businesses that sell products or services within the EU. As a creative partner to many digital-first, corporate brands, we’re often asked: “Does the EAA impact us?”
In this short insight, we explore the basics – what the EAA is, why it matters, what’s required by 28 June 2025 (don't panic...there is still a five-year compliance window post-28 June for existing website content), and whether it has implications for B2B-focused corporate websites.
Before we begin, a quick disclaimer: we’re not lawyers. While we’ve consulted with legal advisers to support our clients on this topic, this article is intended for general guidance only. It should not be used as a substitute for seeking your legal counsel and conducting appropriate due diligence.
Why does accessibility matter?
Roughly one in four people in the EU lives with a disability, including those with cognitive, neurological, or visual impairments, many of which are invisible. These individuals need equal access to the digital world, and alongside several existing accessibility standards, the EAA is designed to support that, helping remove barriers and create more inclusive online experiences.
While web accessibility has traditionally been more of a public sector requirement, the EAA shifts that focus significantly, introducing a harmonised EU-wide standard that applies directly to private sector businesses offering products or services across EU markets.
But beyond the ethical imperative, there’s a growing business case too. Accessible websites are more usable for everyone, improve SEO performance, and mitigate legal risk. As a result, accessibility is fast becoming a core feature of good digital design.
What the EAA requires
The EAA mandates that digital products and services – including websites – comply with the European standard EN 301 549, which is itself based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA. These guidelines are widely recognised as the benchmark for accessible design and cover areas such as:
- Descriptive alt text for images
- Keyboard navigability
- Semantic HTML markup
- Accessible forms and labels
- High-contrast colour use
- Video transcripts and captions
- Screen-reader compatibility
- Readable, well-structured content
For most businesses, especially those with content-heavy or legacy digital estates, achieving full compliance will likely require a combination of development and editorial adjustments.
Does the EAA apply to corporate websites?
There has been some confusion about whether corporate (particularly B2B) websites are in scope, with some businesses taking the view that a corporate website focused primarily on industry partner or investor-focused institutional audiences are 'out of scope'.
However, based on legal advice, the answer is increasingly clear: yes, they likely are.
If your website could reasonably be accessed in a personal capacity – say, by a jobseeker, retail investor, or member of the public – then you are effectively offering a service to a consumer, and your site must comply. That applies even if your business is B2B in nature. Unless you explicitly restrict content to business users only, you fall under the definition of a service provider as set out in the EAA.
This means that even corporate websites with careers pages, ESG content or investor sections may need to meet EAA requirements, even if those pages are informational or indirect.
Exemptions and timelines
There are two key exemptions to be aware of:
- Microenterprises: Businesses with fewer than 10 employees and turnover or balance sheet total below €2 million are exempt if they are providing services (manufacturers, however, are not exempt).
- Existing content: Products and services already on the market before 28 June 2025 are not required to be compliant until 2030. Even so, any new updates or additions after June 2025 must comply. Some historical content may also be exempt if making updates is deemed a “disproportionate burden” – though businesses will need documentation to evidence this if challenged.
Will this affect UK businesses?
As mentioned previously, although the EAA is an EU Directive, it will likely have a ripple effect in the UK as UK organisations that operate in the EU market will need to comply. And under the UK Equality Act 2010, businesses already have a duty to make “reasonable adjustments” for accessibility. If these adjustments are possible for EU consumers, they will likely be expected for UK users too.
What you should do now
For corporate and investor-facing websites, the EAA is more than a technical requirement – it’s a reputational and commercial one.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Audit your current digital estate for accessibility compliance.
- Prioritise updates to content and templates that are most likely to be accessed by individuals in a personal capacity (e.g. careers, investor content, company news).
- Implement a forward plan for making all new content and features EAA-compliant.
- Keep records of any exemptions or burdens that affect compliance efforts.
- Collaborate across teams – compliance requires coordination between developers, content creators and legal stakeholders.
Final thought
The EAA is not just a regulatory hurdle – it’s an opportunity to improve usability, inclusion and digital performance. By taking a thoughtful, proactive approach to accessibility, businesses can meet their obligations while also creating better online experiences for everyone.
If you’re reviewing your website, accessibility strategy and need help assessing where you stand then we’d love to chat.
