Accessibility Is No Longer Optional

At Sitemorse, we’ve been helping organisations recognise that digital accessibility is essential, and the EU Accessibility Act (EAA) reinforces that message.

Since coming into force in June 2025, the Act has required organisations to ensure their websites and online platforms can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. It applies to all retailers and online service providers, including those outside the EU that sell to or offer digital services for EU consumers.

This move follows the example of the United States, where accessibility expectations have long been enforced under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In the US, companies are frequently taken to court for failing to meet digital accessibility standards.

The Three Core Obligations Under the EAA

As explained by BCLP, a leading international law firm, in their article “Website Accessibility Requirements in the US and EU – What do online retailers need to know?”, the EAA introduces three key obligations for online businesses:

1.    Accessible information – product and service details must be clear, perceivable, and available through multiple sensory channels such as text, audio, and visuals.
2.    Compatibility with assistive technologies – websites and apps must function with screen readers, voice controls, and adaptable interfaces.
3.    Accessible support services – help and after-sales support must be offered in formats that are accessible to all users.

These requirements reflect the same core principles as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, the internationally recognised benchmark for accessible design. The guidelines focus on making content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Websites that meet Level AA compliance will generally align with the EAA’s accessibility expectations, providing a consistent approach across global standards.

Compliance Challenges Across Europe

Achieving compliance across Europe, however, is not straightforward. Each EU Member State has implemented the EAA through its own legislation, meaning that businesses operating in multiple countries must navigate differing local requirements.

As BCLP warns: “Sanctions apply on an individual EU Member State basis. This potentially means a single failure to comply with the accessibility requirements could attract multiple penalties in different EU countries, particularly if a consumer body decides to take action on behalf of consumers in a number of member states in relation to an accessibility issue.”

For those wanting to explore the full legal perspective, the BCLP article provides a detailed comparison of obligations in the EU, UK, and US. You can read it here:
https://www.bclplaw.com/en-US/events-insights-news/website-accessibility-requirements-in-the-us-and-eu.html

How Sitemorse Can Help

Digital accessibility is now both a legal requirement and a smart business move. An accessible website benefits every user and enhances your organisation’s reputation.

For more than 25 years, Sitemorse has helped organisations take control of their digital compliance. Using deep data analysis and automation, our platform gives you clear visibility of accessibility risks and priorities, helping you build lasting confidence in your digital performance and ensuring your site aligns with EAA and WCAG standards.

Contact sales@sitemorse.com for more information.

Test Your Website for Free

You can also test your website for free right now to see where you stand.
Visit https://sitemorse.com/check to start your accessibility check and stay compliant under the EU Accessibility Act.