Guide to EAA 2025 compliance: Web accessibility explained

Over 400 million Europeans live with some form of disability. Yet many can't shop online, use banking apps, or access basic digital services we take for granted. That's the main reason the European Accessibility Act (EAA) exists. It’s a practical roadmap for making the online world work for everyone. So, if you provide any digital service, this law regulates how you present it. 

Keeping up with EAA 2025 updates isn’t easy, so we compiled WCAG Compliance Checklist for every decision-maker trying to grasp EAA compliance rules and implement them correctly. We'll walk you through EAA and web accessibility standards, from the basics to the advanced. If you're doing business in Europe or catering to EU customers, this article will help you take the first steps toward an accessible digital presence and avoid penalties. Let’s begin.

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EU accessibility act and WCAG: What’s the difference?

‍96% of websites have accessibility problems – meaning they're missing out on connecting with millions of users. To improve the situation, there is a gold standard called WCAG. What is WCAG accessibility definition?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is the blueprint for making websites accessible. It focuses on four key principles known as POUR accessibility:

• Making content easy to see and hear (Perceivable)
• Ensuring everything works with different devices (Operable)
• Making information clear and simple (Understandable)
• Working well with assistive technologies (Robust)

But what does EAA mean in relation to these principles? The European Accessibility Act takes these guidelines to the next level. While WCAG provides the technical how-to, the EAA makes it a legal must-have for businesses serving EU customers. By June 2025, businesses must have their digital presence up to these standards, making the Internet a place where everyone can participate, shop, and interact without barriers.

What are the WCAG compliance levels?

Think of WCAG levels like building a house. You start with the foundation, then add more features to make it more comfortable for everyone. 

Level A (minimal) is your starting point — it's like having ramps and wide doorways in your house. It covers the basics of web accessibility, making sure most people can at least use your website. But it's just the minimum, and some users might still struggle.

‍WCAG Level AA (recommended) is where the EAA wants you to be. This sweet spot of WCAG AA standards makes your digital space work well for pretty much everyone. It's what you need to hit for EU compliance by 2025, and it's what most businesses aim for. This is the level that defines if you can be granted WCAG certification for your website.

Level AAA (enhanced) involves going all out with accessibility design guidelines. It’s important to note that websites with AAA compliance are usually targeted at people with specific disabilities. While it's amazing to reach these highest WCAG accessibility standards, most businesses focus on nailing Level AA first. 

Now that we know the accessibility levels and the basics of what defines you as EU compliant, let’s see if you are in the sector that falls under these guidelines and requirements.

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Key industries under the EAA 2025 regulations

As the EU Accessibility Act deadline approaches, European businesses are racing to understand their obligations. Let's explore which sectors need to prioritize EAA compliance and how it affects their operations:

Retail and eCommerce

The digital marketplace is transforming under the EU accessibility act. eCommerce platforms and online services must ensure their websites meet WCAG accessibility standards by June 2025. This means everything from product page filters to online checkout needs to follow strict website accessibility standards.

Finances

The financial sector faces some of the most comprehensive requirements under EU compliance regulations. Banks and financial institutions must implement WCAG AA standards across their digital services, from online banking platforms to ATMs. This includes ensuring that all digital transactions follow the four principles of accessibility and maintaining proper WCAG focus order for screen readers.

Technology and devices

For technology manufacturers, accessibility in software development is no longer optional. With the new requirements, companies producing computers, mobile devices, and e-readers must build accessibility features directly into their products. This includes supporting various levels of accessibility and ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies.

Travel services

The travel industry will undergo a tangible transformation under the EAA 2025. Airlines, hotels, OTAs, and transport providers must revamp customer journeys for accessibility travel. This affects everything from websites and mobile apps to electronic ticketing and real-time travel information systems.

Media and communications

Digital media providers face comprehensive accessibility requirements under the EAA. Telecommunication companies and content providers must ensure their platforms are accessible to all users. This includes making content and delivery systems compliant with website accessibility standards.

B2B and B2G organizations

Business-to-business and government service providers are discovering new obligations under the EAA. Companies selling technology or software in the public or private sector must ensure their products meet accessibility requirements. This affects everything from procurement systems to enterprise software solutions.

Healthcare technology

While the EAA doesn't directly cover healthcare services, their digital interfaces fall under compliance requirements. Healthcare technology providers must ensure their health tech solutions are accessible when they overlap with covered services. This includes patient portals, appointment systems, and digital health monitoring platforms.

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How EU compliance rules vary by business size

Large enterprises should set the standard. Major companies must lead the way in implementing comprehensive web accessibility development. The requirements evolve constantly, and the WCAG 2.2 is a much stricter guideline that better caters to vision, cognitive, and motor disabilities.

For organizations with significant resources, the EAA 2025 demands:

• Regular audits against WCAG 2.1 vs 2.2 standards
• Implementation of all POUR accessibility requirements
• Thorough staff training to know how to check on accessibility
• Extensive documentation of WCAG compliance levels
• Integration of software accessibility standards across all platforms

Small and medium-sized businesses aren't excluded from the EU web accessibility directive, but they have some flexibility in their approach. When working toward EAA/EN 301549 compliance, smaller organizations should:

• Start with essential WCAG level A requirements
• Implement basic online accessibility features
• Focus on critical target accessibility areas first
• Create step-by-step plans to achieve full website accessibility
• Consider cost-effective solutions while maintaining compliance

Whether you're a global enterprise or a local business, understanding what is WCAG and how it relates to the EAA is crucial. With fines reaching up to $150,000 in the US and €200,000 in some European countries, for non-compliance, the stakes are too high to ignore these requirements.

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POUR accessibility principles for basic web accessibility

Web accessibility is about making websites work for everyone, regardless of their abilities. Accessible web design is a complex process that needs close attention and understanding of your user’s needs. The main requirements focus on helping people with different needs:

• Visual impairments: Websites need good color contrast, text-to-speech compatibility, and proper text sizing.
• Hearing difficulties: Audio content needs text transcripts and videos need captions.
• Physical limitations: Everything should work with just a keyboard, no mouse needed.
• Cognitive challenges: Content should be clear, well-organized, and easy to understand.
• Neurological conditions: Sites should avoid flashy animations that could trigger seizures.

To understand how to implement all these requirements, let’s explore each of the POUR principles, what elements they include, and who they cater to. These principles will help you understand the main WCAG examples and areas to focus on.

Perceivable web accessibility 

The accessibility standards for software are getting more and more detailed each year. Following the WCAG accessibility guidelines and the European Accessibility Act 2025, here are the core requirements for making content perceivable: 

• Text alternatives

What is it about? You should provide brief text descriptions for any non-text content on your website. This means adding descriptive alt text to images, icons, buttons, and form controls.

Who it's for: People who are blind, have low vision, or use screen readers; situations where images can't be seen or loaded.

• Time-based media

This one’s also simple. Videos need captions, audio content needs transcripts, and visual information in videos should have audio descriptions.

Who it's for: People who are deaf or hard of hearing or for situations where audio can't be played or heard clearly.

• Adaptable content structure

This requirement says that you should present your content in a way that can be displayed in different layouts without losing information or structure. This means using proper HTML headings, lists, and tables.

Who it's for: People using different devices or assistive technologies; those who need to adjust how content is displayed.

• Distinguishable elements

Users must be able to see and hear content clearly, including separating foreground information from backgrounds. This includes proper color contrast and audio control.

Who it's for: People with color blindness, low vision, or hearing impairments. Also, for those viewing content in challenging environments.

These requirements align with WCAG Level AA standards and the web accessibility directive. Now, let’s see the next principle in detail. 

Operable digital content accessibility

Following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and European Accessibility Act 2025, here are the core requirements for making content operable:

• Keyboard accessibility

All website functionality must be usable through a keyboard interface, with no need for specific timing for keystrokes. This means ensuring proper focus order and avoiding keyboard traps.

Who it's for: People with motor disabilities, those using alternative input devices, and users who prefer keyboard navigation.

• Time management

This requirement ensures users have enough time to read and interact with content. Websites must provide options to pause, extend, or adjust time limits where they exist.

Who it's for: People with reading difficulties, cognitive disabilities, or those using assistive technologies who may need extra time.

• Seizure prevention

Content should not contain elements that could trigger seizures or physical reactions. This means avoiding rapid flashing content and allowing users to disable motion animation.

Who it's for: People with photosensitive epilepsy, vestibular disorders, or those sensitive to motion.

• Navigation assistance

Users need multiple ways to find content and understand where they are on a website. This includes implementing clear headings, descriptive links, and consistent navigation patterns that align with WCAG AA standards.

Who it's for: People using screen readers, those with cognitive disabilities, and anyone who needs help orienting themselves on a website.

These requirements support EAA compliance and follow the POUR accessibility principles. When developing for web accessibility, these guidelines ensure your digital content meets European compliance requirements.

Understandable web accessibility

Following the accessibility design guidelines and the European Accessibility Act 2025, here are the core requirements for making content understandable:

• Readable content

Your content should be clear and comprehensible. This means specifying the language of your pages and any language changes within them, explaining unusual words, abbreviations, and providing pronunciation guides when needed.

Who it's for: People learning the language, those with cognitive disabilities, and users of assistive technologies.

• Predictable interactions

This requirement focuses on making your website behave in consistent, expected ways. Elements shouldn't change context automatically — whether on focus or input — and navigation should remain consistent across pages.

Who it's for: People with cognitive disabilities, those who rely on keyboard navigation, and users who need stable, predictable interfaces.

• Input assistance

Your forms and interactive elements should help users avoid and correct mistakes. This means providing clear labels, error identification, and suggestions for fixing issues — especially crucial for legal or financial transactions.

Who it's for: People with cognitive disabilities, those who might struggle with form completion, and anyone making important online transactions.

The Understandable principle emphasizes several key aspects of web accessibility: supporting different cognitive needs through clear content, maintaining predictable interactions, preventing costly mistakes through safeguards, providing clear guidance, and ensuring consistent experiences across web pages. These elements work together to help users navigate websites confidently and effectively.

Robust principle of POUR accessibility

Following the European Accessibility Act 2025 and WCAG accessibility design guidelines, here are the essential requirements for making content robust and ensuring web accessibility development:

• Code Interpretation and parsing

Your website's code must be written precisely so that different browsers and assistive technologies can understand and present it correctly. This means following proper HTML structure, completing all tags, and maintaining clean code syntax.

Who it's for: Users relying on various browsers and devices and people using assistive technologies like screen readers. This requirement is necessary for regular audits for EAA accessibility and WCAG AA standards compliance.

• Component names and roles

What is this software accessibility standards compliance requirement about? Every interactive element on your website needs clear identification that computers can understand. This includes proper labeling of buttons, forms, and links, ensuring they communicate their purpose and current state to assistive technologies.

Who it's for: Screen reader users navigating your interface and people using alternative input devices.

• Status communication

Your website must communicate updates, errors, and status changes to all users without requiring them to spot visual changes. This ensures everyone stays informed about what's happening on the page.

Who it's for: Users relying on screen readers, people with cognitive disabilities, and situations where visual cues might be missed.

Robust code forms the foundation of accessible web content, ensuring your site works reliably across different technologies and user needs. In our web accessibility checklist, you will find a detailed breakdown of the  WCAG POUR principles, together with guidelines on testing each element and area. Now, let’s figure out how to check if your website is really accessible and compliant. 

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Web accessibility software and tools for EAA compliance in 2025

It's important to understand how different people experience your website. Here's a practical approach to testing, organized by how people interact with your content. Luckily, there are many tools to help you test your website accessibility. However, ensuring full adherence to the EAA 2025 standards requires more than tools — it demands the expertise of technical professionals, particularly in quality assurance and testing.

Automated tools are valuable for identifying many common issues, but they can't catch everything. Some accessibility barriers, like proper focus management or screen reader compatibility, can only be reliably identified through manual testing by experienced QA specialists. 

Both manual and automated testing are vital to handle the full spectrum of accessibility challenges and meet the stringent requirements of the WCAG and the EAA compliance. Without the right technical expertise, achieving comprehensive compliance is close to impossible.

Visual accessibility testing

When someone can't see your website clearly or at all, every detail matters. For desktop testing, NVDA is fantastic and free to understand how blind users experience your content. But web accessibility development goes beyond screen readers. 

You'll want to check color contrasts with CCA (Color Contrast Analyser) to meet WCAG AA standards. Remember that WCAG compliance levels exist because not everyone experiences visual impairment the same way — some might see shapes but struggle with text, while others rely entirely on screen readers.

Cognitive and learning support

Digital content accessibility is crucial for people who process information differently. This is where the POUR accessibility principles come into play — making sure content is Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. 

Tools like Siteimprove Accessibility Checker are great at spotting issues that might confuse users. They'll help you check if your content follows accessibility design guidelines and makes sense to everyone, regardless of how they process information.

Physical and motor accessibility

People who can't use a mouse need to navigate your site differently. That's where focus order accessibility becomes crucial. Test your keyboard navigation thoroughly — can someone complete every task using just their keyboard? AXE DevTools is brilliant for this kind of testing.

You’ll also need to check your HTML structure supports proper navigation. Remember, software accessibility standards often emphasize keyboard accessibility because many assistive technologies rely on proper keyboard support.

Hearing and speech considerations

For users who are deaf or hard of hearing, your multimedia content needs attention. Check if your videos have accurate captions and your audio content has transcripts. This isn't just about web accessibility compliance — it's about making sure everyone can engage with your content. 

You can use tools like Userway Accessibility Checker which conducts comprehensive accessibility testing, including how your content suits people with hearing impairments. Its new AI feature is specifically designed for all types of impairments, so it might also be helpful.

While we have many automated tools, remember that WCAG certification and meeting WCAG levels require both automated and human testing. A much greater variety of tools, together with a complete guide to accessibility principles, download our web accessibility checklist to stay on top of things!

As we move toward stricter standards like EAA/EN 301 549, staying informed about changing requirements is crucial. Keep testing, keep learning, and most importantly, keep thinking about the diverse ways people use your website.

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Summing up European Accessibility Act 2025 requirements

As we've explored, the EU web accessibility directive brings significant changes that businesses can't afford to ignore. Following accessibility design guidelines is a legal requirement that will turn into a business objective for many businesses in 2025.

The good news is you don't have to face this challenge alone. IT solutions consultants at COAX will help you cut through the EU compliance intricacies. Our team of web development and QA testing professionals will provide step-by-step assistance, from initial UX audit and QA assessment to full implementation. 

If you need to create a fully accessible and EAA-compliant website from scratch, our custom web development services will tick every checkbox and cater to every user's need. And suppose you’re looking for an end-to-end modernization of legacy software, we can transform your outdated system into an accessible, high-performance platform that aligns with the latest EAA standards.

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FAQ

What is web accessibility?

Web accessibility means designing and developing websites and digital content that everyone can use, regardless of their abilities. This includes people with visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities. It's about creating an inclusive digital world where everyone can access information and services equally.

What does EAA stand for?

EAA stands for the European Accessibility Act. It's a landmark legislation that sets mandatory accessibility requirements for digital products and services in the EU market. The act aims to improve the functioning of the internal market for accessible products and services.

What is WCAG, and why does it matter?

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is the globally recognized standard for web accessibility. It provides the technical foundation for making websites accessible to people with disabilities. These guidelines are essential for achieving both EAA compliance and EU compliance.

What are the 4 principles of accessibility?

The four principles, known as POUR accessibility, are: Perceivable (Information must be presentable in ways all users can perceive), Operable(Interface elements must be operable by all users), Understandable (Information and operation must be understandable), and 

Robust (Content must be robust enough to work with various technologies).

Which elements does program accessibility include?

Program accessibility encompasses all aspects of digital content and functionality, including:

• Website navigation and structure
• Forms and interactive elements
• Multimedia content
• Documents and downloadable resources
• Mobile applications and responsive design

What is EAA meaning for businesses?

The EAA sets mandatory accessibility requirements for businesses operating in or serving EU customers. By June 2025, affected businesses must ensure their digital products and services meet specified accessibility standards or face significant penalties.