The EU Accessibility Act (EAA) is a key move towards equal access to digital products and services in Europe. It makes sure public and private groups follow strict accessibility rules. By June 2025, all EU member states will add these rules to their laws, changing the EU’s rules a lot.
For UK businesses, not following the EU Accessibility Law can cause big problems, even if they don’t work in Europe. The law covers many products and services, helping people with disabilities use technology easily. With 24% of Europeans having a disability, making things accessible is very important1.
If companies don’t meet the EAA’s standards, they could face fines, legal trouble, or even jail in some places like Ireland. Not following the law can also hurt a company’s reputation and cause it to lose customers. It might even stop companies from getting contracts, leading to more problems in the long run213.
Key Takeaways
- The European Accessibility Act requires compliance by June 2025 for all EU member states.
- UK businesses must adhere to the EAA if they trade within the EU, impacting their operational scope.
- Non-compliance can lead to serious penalties including fines and imprisonment in certain jurisdictions.
- 24% of Europeans have a disability, influencing the necessity for accessible products and services.
- Regulatory fines, legal actions, and reputational damages are significant consequences of non-compliance.
- Ensuring accessibility can mitigate business disruptions and enhance customer relations.
Understanding the European Accessibility Act (EAA)
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) was adopted in 2019 to improve accessibility in the European Union. It aims to make products and services more accessible for disabled and older people. This law makes sure there’s consistency across the EU, creating a more inclusive environment.
What is the EAA?
The EAA is a key law that boosts digital access and protects the rights of people with disabilities in Europe. It requires countries to make laws that follow this directive by June 28, 2022. Full enforcement is set for June 28, 202545. The law ensures products and services stay true to their purpose and don’t unfairly burden operators, making them more usable for disabled people4.
Who Needs to Comply?
Businesses in the European Union with over ten staff and an annual income over €2 million must follow the EAA45. This rule applies to both public and private sectors. It also covers businesses outside the EU that sell products or services to EU customers5. Manufacturers must meet accessibility standards and clearly label their products. Importers are responsible for ensuring products are accessible and must notify authorities if there are any issues4. Service providers must share information about how accessible their services are4. Small businesses or microenterprises with fewer than ten staff and less than €2 million in income might not have to follow all rules5.
Covered Products and Services
The EAA covers many products and services, focusing on accessible technology. It includes consumer computer hardware, payment terminals, smartphones, e-readers, online communications, websites, apps, and e-commerce services5. It also covers online shopping, banking, telecoms, media, and transport, showing its wide reach5. Businesses need to check their digital platforms and services to meet the law by 20254. With over 100 million people in the EU living with disabilities, businesses can reach a big market by focusing on digital accessibility45.
Grave Consequences of Non-Compliance
Following the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is crucial for keeping your business running smoothly and avoiding big problems. Not following it can cause many issues, not just legal ones.
Legal Implications
Not following the EAA means facing big legal issues. Companies could get fines up to £20,000, or even get shut down if it’s serious6. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is very good at catching violators, succeeding 94% of the time6. In the EU, big fines of up to €20 million or 4% of your yearly sales can happen for big mistakes7.
Financial Penalties
Not following the rules can really hurt your wallet. It’s often 2.71 times more expensive to fix than to follow the rules7. For example, a healthcare place in Dallas got fined $3.2 million for breaking a rule7. In the UK, a construction company was fined £2.6 million6. Also, not following PCI DSS rules can cost you $5,000 to $10,000 a month7.
Reputational Damage
Not following the rules can also hurt your reputation. Bad news can make people lose trust in your brand, hurting its value. This can make customers leave and make it hard to keep good leaders8.
Business Disruption
Not being compliant can disrupt your business. You might face audits and checks that slow you down8. If you don’t pass HSE checks, you could have to close, which hurts your money and work6. Reports show it can cause big financial and growth problems for your business8.
It’s key to follow the rules to keep your company strong and respected. The risks of not following the law, losing customers, and business problems show why making accessibility a key part of your business is smart.
| Consequences | Description | Metrics |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Sanctions | No compliance can result in legal action. | Up to €20 million or 4% of global revenue |
| Financial Penalties | Fines associated with non-compliance are high. | £2.6 million highest fine in UK construction |
| Reputational Impact | Negative publicity harms brand image. | Leads to loss of customer trust and high attrition rates |
| Business Continuity | Non-compliance disrupts normal operations. | Businesses risk shutdown or operational delays |
Conclusion
The European Accessibility Act is coming soon, showing us that following the law is key. Not doing so can lead to big problems, like huge fines or damage to your reputation. For instance, some companies have been fined up to $145.33 million USD for not following the rules9.
It’s important to make sure your digital spaces are open to everyone. If you don’t, you might face problems like not being able to work well or losing good staff10. On the other hand, being proactive can help you stay ahead and keep your place in the market9.
Accessibility is very important. It not only meets legal standards but also brings in more customers and improves their experience. Tools like the Web Ai Engine use artificial intelligence to make it easier to create a welcoming online space. This follows the EU’s new rules.
Source Links
- https://reciteme.com/news/eu-web-accessibility-ruling/
- https://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/your-questions-about-european-accessibility-act-EAA
- https://www.deque.com/blog/european-accessibility-act-eaa-intro/
- https://www.tpgi.com/understanding-how-the-european-accessibility-act-will-impact-your-business/
- https://www.twobirds.com/en/insights/2024/global/european-accessibility-act
- https://www.safetybank.co.uk/blog/consequences-of-non-compliance-in-health-safety-regulations
- https://sprinto.com/blog/consequences-of-non-compliance/
- https://excellenceenablers.com/consequences-of-non-compliance/
- https://financialcrimeacademy.org/consequences-of-non-compliance/
- https://www.polonious-systems.com/can-non-compliance-affect-your-business/
