Who Is the European Accessibility Act For and What’s Changing?
What if we told you that starting from June 28, 2025, many of the digital services and products we use daily must be accessible to everyone—no exceptions? This isn’t science fiction; it’s an imminent reality brought by the European Accessibility Act (EAA), a European regulation designed to ensure equal access to technology, e-commerce, online banking, and much more for millions of people with disabilities.
A game-changing shift that impacts companies, developers, and digital service providers, who will need to comply with new accessibility standards to avoid penalties—and, more importantly, to avoid excluding an ever-growing segment of users. But what exactly does the EAA entail? Who is required to comply, and what challenges lie ahead?
In this context, Navla positions itself as a strategic partner, helping businesses navigate technical requirements and best practices, turning a regulatory obligation into an opportunity for growth and innovation. Let’s explore what’s changing and how to prepare for it.
What Do We Mean by ‘Digital Accessibility’?
Digital accessibility is the principle of ensuring that online content, applications, and digital services are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. It means designing and developing websites, apps, and digital platforms that can be used without barriers by individuals with various types of disabilities—visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive.
For instance, an accessible website for visually impaired users must be compatible with screen readers, which “read” text aloud, while for people with hearing impairments, adding subtitles or transcripts to video content is crucial. Websites and mobile apps should also allow navigation via keyboard, not just touchscreens, to accommodate users with motor disabilities.
In 2025, this issue becomes even more pressing, as the European Union has set a deadline for companies to comply with stricter accessibility standards. Digital services are no longer optional—they are an integral part of daily life. From online shopping and banking services to interactions with public institutions and access to education and culture, everything happens through technology.
Failing to ensure that everyone can participate in these activities means excluding a significant portion of the population—an estimated 15% of Europeans live with some form of disability.
Moreover, compliance with regulations such as the European Accessibility Act is not just an ethical or social matter—it’s a legal one. Companies that fail to meet these new standards risk facing penalties, damaging their reputation, and losing their competitive edge in the market.
What Does the European Accessibility Act (EAA) Require?
The directive applies to a broad range of sectors and technologies, covering everything from devices like computers and smartphones to digital services such as websites, mobile apps, and e-commerce, as well as key sectors like transport and banking services. Companies will be required to ensure that these products and services comply with European accessibility standards (such as EN 301 549, which will be updated in 2025) and international standards like WCAG 2 AA, integrating features that allow everyone to interact with ease.
For example, an online bank must ensure its portal is compatible with screen readers, while an e-commerce app must support interaction without the need for a mouse.
Who is the Target of the EAA?
The EAA targets all businesses operating in these sectors, with a particular focus on large companies and SMEs, which must comply to avoid penalties. Micro-enterprises (with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover of under €2 million) are exempt but are still encouraged to adopt best practices to improve their competitiveness and corporate social responsibility.
SMEs that can demonstrate a “disproportionate burden” in meeting the requirements may request exemptions, but only if they provide evidence of significant challenges.
What Happens in Case of Non-Compliance?
Penalties are severe: companies that fail to comply may face fines of up to 5% of their annual revenue, temporary shutdowns of non-compliant websites and apps, and potential legal actions from users with disabilities. Non-compliance can also have a negative impact on business contracts, especially in B2B and B2G sectors, where accessibility compliance is increasingly becoming a mandatory requirement.
Italy and the EAA
In Italy, the EAA has been implemented through the Decreto Semplificazioni, which modified the Stanca Law by adding two detailed technical annexes. These annexes serve as comprehensive checklists for audits and compliance assessments, providing companies with clear tools to navigate the adaptation process.
The Role of Navla and SAPG Legaltech
Adapting to the new requirements, such as WCAG 2 AA, is not just about legal compliance—it’s a strategic opportunity to foster a more inclusive digital environment. This is where Navla comes in. Thanks to its valuable collaboration with SAPG Legaltech, Navla offers a guided process to help businesses navigate the complex journey toward compliance.
A Comprehensive Path to Digital Accessibility
Navla, with the support of SAPG Legaltech—a focus team of SAPG Legal,—guides clients in business development through a detailed Digital Accessibility Audit. This audit examines every aspect of a company’s digital platforms, from websites to mobile apps, to identify any areas that fail to meet WCAG 2 AA standards.The goal isn’t just to detect errors but to create a precise roadmap for optimizing the digital experience for everyone, including people with disabilities. For example, image guidelines require that all visual content is properly described through alt text, while videos must include subtitles and transcripts. Navigation should be designed to accommodate users with motor disabilities, ensuring that no one is excluded from interacting with digital platforms.
Legal Compliance and Support for Exemptions
We offer targeted guidance on regulatory compliance, helping businesses correctly interpret their obligations under the EAA. If a company is unsure about whether it qualifies for an exemption—for instance, due to a disproportionate burden—we provide assistance with the necessary documentation to justify such requests. Additionally, we prepare comprehensive compliance documentation, which serves as proof of adherence to regulations, a crucial step in the event of audits or inspections by regulatory authorities.
Training and Awareness for Cultural Change
A key aspect of our approach is training and raising awareness. Accessibility regulations shouldn’t be seen as a burden but as an opportunity to improve inclusiveness and the usability of digital services. We organize dedicated workshops, providing businesses not only with the technical and regulatory information they need but also with a deeper understanding of the importance of an accessible web for all. The aim is to foster a company culture rooted in respect for diversity and accessibility.
Action Plan & Continuous Monitoring
Compliance with the EAA is not a one-time effort—it’s a dynamic process. Through its Action Plan & Check, we help companies define a structured operational plan to set priorities and implement the necessary corrections. This plan includes concrete actions to ensure compliance across key areas such as color and contrast standards, interoperability with assistive tools, and payment terminal security.
Following implementation, we conduct two post-implementation audits to monitor the effectiveness of the measures and ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements.
Compliance with the EAA is not just a deadline to meet—it’s a journey that enhances service quality and unlocks new opportunities for business growth, inclusivity, and reputation for companies that invest in a more accessible future.