Why EAA Compliance and Legal Trends Are Shaping Accessibility in 2025

On June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) officially became enforceable across the European Union. This law requires digital products and services—including websites, mobile apps, e-commerce platforms, and software to meet the defined accessibility standards outlined in EN 301 549, which aligns with the WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

Companies that serve EU consumers must be able to demonstrate that accessibility is built into the design, development, testing, and maintenance of their digital products and services.

This milestone also arrives as UsableNet celebrates 25 years of accessibility leadership—a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and what digital teams must do next.

What Makes the EAA a Global Shift

The EAA applies to more than just EU-based companies. Any organization offering covered digital products or services in the EU—regardless of its headquarters—must now comply.

It introduces requirements that impact:

1. Software developers and platform providers
2. Ecommerce and service brands
3. Manufacturers, importers, and distributors
4. Third-party vendors with a role in the user experience
   
   

Noncompliance can result in product bans, EU market exclusion, reputational damage, and regulatory fines.

Most importantly, it sets a precedent that digital accessibility is a core requirement for websites.

For more insights, read our blog: European Accessibility Act (EAA) Compliance FAQ: Your Post-Webinar Guide.

Written after our on-demand webinar featuring Tom Gates, Senior Associate with international law firm Reed Smith, Watch Now: Understanding EAA Compliance: What Businesses Need to Know.

Accessibility Risk Is Increasing in the U.S. Too

While the EAA takes effect in Europe, the United States is also seeing significant legal momentum.

In our 2025 Midyear ADA Lawsuit Report, we reveal 2,019 digital accessibility lawsuits have already been filed in the first half of the year, putting 2025 on pace to reach nearly 4,975 total cases—a 20% increase over 2024.

Get your copy of the 2025 Midyear report here. 

Notable Trends:

• New York and California dominate in state-level filings as plaintiffs seek more favorable conditions.

• Florida is experiencing a surge in federal digital lawsuits, particularly against e-commerce companies.
  
  
• E-commerce remains the top target, accounting for 69% of all digital accessibility lawsuits so far this year.
  
  
• Widgets and overlays are not protecting companies—lawsuits were filed against companies using them every month in 2025.

• Larger companies are increasingly targeted—36% of sued companies had annual revenues over $25 million, up from 33% in 2024.

• 20% of the top 500 e-commerce retailers have already received at least one lawsuit this year.

Across regions, the takeaway is consistent: surface-level solutions don’t reduce risk. Only meaningful accessibility implementation does.

For a deep dive into these findings, read my blog, 2025 Midyear Accessibility Lawsuit Report: Key Legal Trends. 

25 Years of Digital Accessibility with UsableNet

At UsableNet, we’ve spent the last two and a half decades helping organizations meet accessibility requirements—long before regulations like the EAA existed.

We’ve supported thousands of accessibility programs across industries to deliver: 

• Expert-led technical remediation

• Real user testing with the disability community

• Sustainable accessibility strategies with training, tools, and reporting

Our ADA Lawsuit Tracker has become the leading resource for legal trend analysis in the U.S., Data from UsableNet's Bi-Annual digital accessibility lawsuit reports are used by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and others.

This reflects our commitment not just to implementation, but to understanding the legal and operational context in which our clients operate.

What Digital Teams Should Do Now

If your company operates in the EU, United States, or both, this is the time to evaluate and act. Accessibility is now tied directly to market access and legal risk. 

For teams just starting:

1. Audit key digital properties
2. Prioritize user flows with the highest risk or traffic
3. Begin real remediation—not just automated testing

For advanced programs:

1. Verify your processes include ongoing testing and user feedback
2. Review third-party components and vendors for accessibility risk
3. Ensure your documentation and accessibility statement reflect real progress

Your goal should not be compliance but accessibility for everyone. 

Join Our 25th Anniversary Webinar Series

To help digital teams navigate today’s accessibility landscape, we’re hosting two milestone sessions as part of UsableNet’s 25th anniversary:

July 2025: The current state of accessibility—legal trends, usability insights, and implementation strategies

Reserve your spot for the webinar: Accessibility in 2025: Lawsuits, Compliance & Digital Accessibility

August 2025: What’s next—global standards, AI and accessibility, and future-proofing your program

Register now to save your seat and explore how accessibility is evolving across laws, technologies, and teams.

Final Thoughts

The European Accessibility Act reinforces a message we’ve shared for years: real accessibility requires real work. The penalties for inaction are growing. The rewards and benefits of inclusive design remain constant—stronger user experiences, improved brand trust, and long-term legal resilience.

To the advocates who pushed for stronger laws, thank you.

To the companies navigating this moment, we’re here to support your progress. Book a consultation to gain a deeper understanding of your organization’s legal risks.

Want to go deeper? Join us live on July 23 for our next webinar. Seyfarth Shaw Partner John Egan will join me to unpack key legal and practical insights from the 2025 midyear data.

In the meantime, explore the latest U.S. trends in digital accessibility litigation by downloading our midyear report, and learn why a proactive approach matters more than ever.