Think you can wait until the last minute? Missing the EAA compliance deadline could be more costly than you think.
As the clock ticks down to June 28, 2025, organizations across the European Union—and businesses serving EU customers—are racing to prepare for the European Accessibility Act (EAA). This sweeping regulation aims to ensure that products and services, including websites and mobile apps, are accessible to people with disabilities. While many companies are aware of the act, far fewer are taking the necessary steps to comply in time.
Delaying your response might seem like a manageable risk today. But come deadline day, the cost of inaction will likely be far greater than anticipated. From financial penalties to reputational harm and market exclusion, the consequences of missing the mark on accessibility are serious—and avoidable.
Let’s explore exactly what’s at stake and why now is the best time to act.
The Risks of Non-Compliance
1. Legal Penalties and Fines
Perhaps the most direct consequence of failing to meet EAA requirements is legal enforcement. The EAA mandates that EU member states put in place national rules to ensure compliance, and each country can determine how those rules are enforced.
That means there’s no one-size-fits-all penalty system—it depends on the country. But across the board, regulators are empowered to investigate complaints, demand remediation, and impose fines or other penalties for non-compliance. While some enforcement mechanisms are still being finalized, what’s clear is this: there will be consequences. Companies that ignore the law will be held accountable, just as they are under the GDPR.
And just like the GDPR, enforcement under the EAA may become more aggressive over time, especially as consumer awareness grows and advocacy organizations start to monitor digital accessibility more closely.
2. Public Complaints and Brand Damage
Beyond regulatory enforcement, there’s the very real threat of public scrutiny. Under the EAA, users who encounter accessibility barriers—such as an e-commerce checkout they can’t complete or a digital banking platform they can’t navigate—can file formal complaints.
These complaints won’t just be a matter of paperwork. In the digital age, customer dissatisfaction can easily snowball into social media backlash, negative press coverage, or targeted campaigns from advocacy groups. For brands that position themselves as inclusive or socially responsible, failing to meet accessibility expectations can be particularly damaging.
It’s not hard to imagine the headlines: “Major Retailer’s Website Inaccessible to Blind Users”. Or the viral posts showing how a popular app shuts out users with mobility impairments. These kinds of PR issues are far more costly—and harder to control—than a quiet, well-managed compliance project.
3. Loss of Market Access
Another often-overlooked risk is the loss of business opportunities. Many large corporations, especially in the public sector, will soon require accessibility compliance as part of their procurement processes. If your digital products or services aren’t accessible, you may simply be excluded from bids, contracts, or partnerships.
This could particularly affect SaaS providers, fintech platforms, e-commerce solutions, and any B2B company that serves clients in regulated industries or public institutions. Accessibility won’t just be a legal box to check—it’ll be a business requirement, just like data security or GDPR compliance.
Even in the private sector, accessibility is becoming a differentiator. Companies that fail to comply may find themselves edged out by more inclusive competitors.
4. SEO and UX Penalties
Many organizations don’t realize that accessibility and performance go hand-in-hand. The technical optimizations that make a website accessible—clean semantic HTML, proper heading structures, descriptive alt text, keyboard navigation—also improve search engine optimization (SEO) and overall user experience (UX).
Search engines like Google increasingly reward accessible sites with better rankings because they’re easier to crawl and more usable across devices. Likewise, accessible interfaces tend to be clearer, faster, and more intuitive for all users—not just those with disabilities.
Ignoring accessibility could mean lower search visibility, higher bounce rates, and poorer engagement metrics, which directly impact your growth. That’s not just a missed opportunity—it’s a strategic misstep.
Why Now Is the Best Time to Act
Developers Will Be in Short Supply in 2025
As the EAA deadline draws near, demand for accessibility expertise is surging. But here’s the problem: accessibility specialists and skilled developers are already in short supply. The closer we get to June 2025, the harder—and more expensive—it will be to find qualified partners who can audit and remediate your website.
Waiting too long may mean getting stuck in a long queue or paying a premium for rushed work. Worse yet, you might end up with incomplete or superficial fixes that don’t actually bring your site into compliance. Accessibility isn’t something that can be patched overnight—it requires thoughtful design, development, and testing.
Starting now ensures you have time to do it right, without the pressure of a looming deadline.
Early Compliance Is a Competitive Advantage
Companies that act early don’t just avoid penalties—they gain a head start on competitors. Compliance with the EAA can be a powerful marketing and sales tool, especially if you’re in a crowded market where differentiation is difficult.
By proactively communicating your commitment to accessibility, you show customers, investors, and partners that you take inclusivity seriously. You demonstrate leadership. You build trust. And you may even open up entirely new segments of the market—such as the 100 million+ Europeans living with disabilities.
Early adopters also get the benefit of internal learning. You’ll develop stronger design systems, better QA processes, and a more mature understanding of inclusive design—advantages that pay dividends beyond compliance.
Your Future Customers Expect Inclusive Experiences
Finally, accessibility isn’t just about laws—it’s about people. Today’s consumers are more socially conscious than ever before. They expect brands to be inclusive, responsible, and human-centered. That means designing with everyone in mind—not just the average user.
Whether it’s a Gen Z shopper with ADHD, a senior banking customer with declining vision, or a freelancer who uses voice navigation to browse, your digital experience must adapt to diverse needs. If it doesn’t, you’re leaving people behind—and they notice.
Inclusive design is good design. It’s the future. And it starts now.
Don’t Wait: Start Your Compliance Journey Today
Missing the June 28, 2025 EAA deadline isn’t just a legal misstep. It’s a strategic risk that touches every part of your organization—from reputation and revenue to SEO and product development. But the good news is: there’s still time to get ahead.
Start by auditing your digital properties. Identify where accessibility gaps exist. Build a roadmap. Engage partners who understand both the letter and the spirit of the EAA. And most importantly, treat accessibility not as a checkbox—but as a core value.
Because inclusion shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should be your advantage.
Don’t risk getting left behind: Start your accessibility compliance plan today.