As the European Accessibility Act (EAA) deadline of June 28, 2025, approaches, many businesses wonder how to calculate the cost of making their digital services compliant. The EAA applies to various digital services and products, including e-commerce platforms, banking services, mobile apps, telecommunications, and transportation services.
For a deep dive into EAA compliance and key strategies for your business, visit our European Accessibility Act guide.
This blog breaks down nine steps to help you estimate the cost and prepare your digital assets for EAA compliance.
1. Decide whether to outsource your web accessibility project or manage it in-house.
Before embarking on your EAA compliance journey, you must decide whether to handle or outsource the process in-house. Consider the following:
- Can your team handle the complexities of EN 301 549, the standard that underpins the EAA?
- Does your team understand the accessibility requirements for websites, mobile apps, and a broad range of digital services?
- How large and complex is your digital footprint? Do you need external expertise to audit, remediate, and maintain compliance across websites, mobile apps, ticketing systems, ATMs, e-readers, and other digital products?
If you're unsure, consulting with an accessibility expert can help you evaluate your organization's best course of action.
Learn more about the key milestones for EAA compliance in our blog on EAA compliance milestones
2. Consider the complexity of your site and digital services.
The more complex your website and digital services are, the greater the cost will be to make them compliant with the EAA. The scope of the EAA is broader than just websites, so it's essential to consider all digital services and products:
- Simple content websites: These include static, information-heavy sites. These sites are generally less expensive to make compliant, as they often require fewer modifications.
- Transactional websites and digital services: E-commerce platforms with dynamic content and transaction capabilities, as well as banking services, ticketing systems, and payment terminals, will require a more considerable investment.
- Enterprise-level sites and connected products: Complying with EN 301 549 will require extensive resources for complex digital platforms, including those with customized user experiences, e-commerce functions, mobile apps, and smart devices.
3. Identify the types of content on your site.
The EAA requires that all digital content meet accessibility standards. This goes beyond websites and includes digital services and products, so you’ll need to ensure that:
- Images have appropriate alternative text.
- Videos are captioned and include audio descriptions where necessary.
- PDFs and other downloadable documents are accessible or converted to more accessible formats like HTML.
- Third-party content, such as payment gateways, live chats, and other integrations, complies with EN 301 549 standards.
- Digital products like ATMs, ticketing systems, and e-readers also meet accessibility criteria for users with disabilities.
Explore the differences in accessibility laws across Europe, including Italy’s digital accessibility law
4. Determine the changes and fixes required.
To identify the necessary changes, conduct a comprehensive accessibility audit. This should include automated and manual testing and testing by users with disabilities to ensure real-world usability. The EAA requires full compliance with EN 301 549, which covers:
- Automated testing to flag technical issues that can be programmatically detected.
- Manual testing for more complex issues like focus order, interactive elements, and keyboard navigation.
- Testing physical products like e-readers or payment terminals to ensure they meet accessibility standards for all users.
Once the audit is complete, create a remediation roadmap to ensure all necessary changes are made.
5. Plan for ongoing accessibility monitoring and maintenance.
Accessibility compliance is an ongoing process, especially under the EAA, which requires digital products and services to stay compliant over time. A robust maintenance plan is essential, and it should include:
- Publishing an accessibility statement that outlines your long-term accessibility goals and compliance with the EAA. This is a legal requirement under the EAA.
- Automating regular accessibility tests to ensure new content and features meet the required standards.
- Conducting screen reader and assistive technology testing for every release.
- Training your team on accessibility requirements and processes so compliance is maintained across all digital products, services, and platforms.
- Ensuring your mobile apps, connected products like kiosks, and all interfaces comply with EN 301 549.
Need a practical guide for compliance? Head over to our EAA practical guide.
6. Don’t overlook third-party integrations.
If your site or service relies on third-party content or tools, such as payment gateways, ticketing systems, or live chat services, you must ensure these meet EN 301 549 standards. It’s crucial to review contracts and ensure that third-party vendors adhere to the same accessibility standards as your internal team.
Remember that under the EAA, non-compliant third-party content or services could result in penalties or customer complaints filed with national authorities.
7. Ensure mobile apps and digital services are compliant.
Under the EAA, accessibility compliance extends to all mobile apps, digital services, and connected devices. Your entire portfolio of digital products—apps, kiosks, ATMs, payment terminals, and more—must be accessible by the June 2025 deadline.
This means ensuring mobile apps include screen reader functionality, accessible forms, and navigation. Additionally, any smart devices or IoT products must provide accessible interfaces for users with disabilities.
8. Invest in the right tools and services.
Maintaining EAA compliance requires more than an initial audit—an ongoing effort. Here’s what you’ll need to keep up:
- Accessibility testing tools: Platforms like UsableNet’s AQA help you automate compliance testing and integrate it into your workflow to ensure every release meets accessibility standards.
- Content management systems (CMS): Ensure your CMS can support accessible content creation and updates.
- Expert services: Consider hiring outside experts to audit, test, and guide your company through remediation and compliance with the EAA across all digital products and services.
9. Gauge your long-term support needs.
Ensuring compliance with the EAA is not just a one-time project—it requires a long-term commitment to accessibility across your organization. Consider these areas for support:
- Policies and procedures: Review your company’s policies to ensure accessibility is embedded in your operations.
- External expertise: Bringing in outside experts can help fill knowledge gaps and ensure your digital products meet EN 301 549 standards.
- Employee training: Regular accessibility training ensures all team members—from developers to content creators—align with compliance efforts.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
It’s important to remember that non-compliance with the EAA can result in serious penalties starting in June 2025. Depending on the severity of the violation and the Member State where your business operates, penalties may include:
- Fines: In Italy, fines can be up to 5% of the company’s previous year’s income.
- Prison sentences: In Ireland, non-compliance could lead to prison sentences of up to 18 months.
- Removal from the European market: Your products or services may be barred from the EU market until they comply.
- Exclusion from public procurement: Non-compliance with the EAA could disqualify your company from participating in public procurement opportunities.
- Brand damage: The reputational impact of non-compliance could be significant, especially if your company faces public complaints from users or legal challenges.
Conclusion
By following these nine steps and ensuring your digital products and services meet the EN 301 549 standard, you can estimate the cost and resources required to bring your website, apps, and other digital services into compliance with the European Accessibility Act. With the June 2025 deadline fast approaching, it’s essential to start planning now and ensure that your digital platforms meet the harmonized standards required for business in the EU.
Ready to optimize your EAA compliance strategy? Join our upcoming EAA webinar to learn actionable steps for managing costs and ensuring compliance by the 2025 deadline. Register today and stay ahead of the curve!
