June 28, 2025. That’s the official date the European Accessibility Act (EAA) comes into force. While the directive has been on the books since 2019, the actual deadline for compliance is finally here, and yet, many organizations are still unprepared, or worse, unaware.
Humix and Sirius Legal, a specialist law firm in Belgium, have partnered to provide organizations with the strategic, legal, and practical guidance they need to meet the EAA’s requirements and beyond.
What’s the European Accessibility Act again?
The EAA is a European directive aimed at removing digital and technological barriers for people with disabilities. It applies to a wide range of products and services, including:
- Websites and mobile apps
- E-commerce platforms
- Ticketing and check-in machines
- Banking services
- Telecom and audiovisual media services
- Transportation (air, rail, bus)
Depending on the sector you’re in, the instance that checks your products and services and monitors compliance can differ from the FPS Economy for e-commerce to the Flemish Regulator for the Media.
The EAA’s core technical reference is EN 301 549, a European standard that incorporates the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, which are based on the POUR principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust.
Compliance with WCAG at level AA is, but not everything is covered by the standard. That’s where contextual judgment and real-world testing come in.
No enforcement plan yet? That’s no excuse.
As of June 2025, Belgium’s FPS Economy has not yet provided specific guidelines on how it will enforce EAA compliance. However, this does not mean that enforcement will not occur. Tools and methodologies already in use for public sector audits via FPS BOSA may be repurposed for EAA monitoring. Remember, not seeing the rules doesn’t mean the referee isn’t watching.
Companies waiting for complete clarity from government bodies may find themselves racing the clock, or even facing complaints. Taking initiative now is not just smart, it’s strategic.
From checklist to culture: accessibility as a strategic pillar
True accessibility goes beyond compliance — it becomes an integral part of your organizational culture. A simple checklist won’t do that. What can help in fostering a more inclusive culture, leading to accessible products, is:
- Building awareness through training and contact with real users
- Leadership buy-in from stakeholders
- Cross-functional collaboration (design, dev, legal, procurement, marketing)
- A clear view of your accessibility maturity to identify key focus areas
As you can see, everyone within the company plays a role in creating accessible products. Even procurement plays a role: buying inaccessible tools can block users before they even reach your content. Imagine purchasing a cookie management platform that provides an interface entirely inaccessible to users of screen readers. They could be blocked from accessing your website.
Final advice: accessibility is an opportunity, not a burden
If you’re still hesitating, consider this: not investing in accessibility will not only impact people with disabilities who need these changes, but also those who do not have disabilities. It will affect everyone, including your return on investment. And remember, everyone is disabled from time to time. Whether due to a situational element, such as a noisy room, or a temporary disability, like a sore throat that prevents you from speaking.
How come, you may think. You’ll be missing out on a significant portion of your potential audience. We’ve heard statements like “people who are blind don’t need a car”. And while people who are blind cannot drive themselves, they are still part of the decision-making process within their families.
Not to forget the risk of brand damage from accessibility complaints and general benefits in SEO, AI readiness, performance, and usability that you’re missing out on. Accessible products are better for everyone.
Accessibility is not just a legal requirement — it’s a competitive advantage.
Need help getting started?
Humix and Sirius Legal are not just your partners for EAA compliance. We are your comprehensive support system, providing both practical and legal guidance to ensure your organization meets the EAA’s requirements and beyond. From audits to training, declarations to user testing — we’ve got you covered. You can start with our existing partnered content:
Or contact us to learn more about our approach and how we can help you drive change. The EAA is here. Let’s build a digital world that includes everyone.