The European Accessibility Act: What It Means for UK Business Websites

Website accessibility used to be treated as a nice-to-have — something big organisations worried about and everyone else quietly ignored. That's changing, and a piece of EU law is part of why. If your UK business sells to customers in the EU, the European Accessibility Act may apply to you.

Here's what's going on, without the legal jargon.

What Is the European Accessibility Act?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is EU law that came into force on 28 June 2025. It requires businesses selling digital products and services into the EU to make them accessible to people with disabilities — covering things like online shops, banking, e-books and booking services.

In practice, "accessible" means meeting recognised web accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 Level AA), so that people using screen readers, keyboard navigation, or who have visual or other impairments can actually use your website.

Does It Apply to a UK Business?

This is the part that catches people out. Brexit doesn't put UK businesses outside its reach. If you sell products or services to consumers in the EU, the EAA can apply — regardless of where your business is based.

There are thresholds. Very small businesses — broadly those with fewer than 10 staff and under €2 million turnover — get significant exemptions for services. But if you're a UK business of any size selling into the EU, or planning to, this is firmly on your radar.

The penalties are not trivial either. Fines vary by country but can be substantial — one EU retailer was fined €150,000 over checkout accessibility failures alone.

Why This Matters Even If the Law Doesn't Apply to You

Here's the thing we tell clients: even if you don't sell a thing into the EU, accessibility is worth taking seriously — because it's simply good website design.

It widens your audience. Around one in five people has some form of disability. An inaccessible site shuts a meaningful chunk of potential customers out.

It overlaps with SEO. Many of the things that make a site accessible — proper headings, descriptive links, alt text on images, a clear structure — are exactly the things search engines reward. Accessible sites tend to be more visible sites.

It's better for everyone. Good contrast, readable text, clear navigation and forms that are easy to complete help every visitor, not just those with disabilities. Accessibility and good usability are largely the same thing.

The UK has its own expectations too. Accessibility is increasingly an expectation here, and public-sector and larger organisations already have obligations. The direction of travel is clear.

What Accessibility Actually Involves

It's less daunting than it sounds. The common building blocks include: sufficient colour contrast so text is easy to read; text alternatives for images; a site that can be navigated by keyboard alone; clear, properly labelled forms; sensible heading structure; and not relying on colour alone to convey meaning.

For a well-built modern website, much of this is good practice we'd follow anyway. For an older or hastily-built site, it may need real attention.

Where to Start

If the EAA might apply to your business, the sensible first step is to find out where your website currently stands — an accessibility review against WCAG 2.1 AA tells you what, if anything, needs addressing. From there it's usually a manageable list rather than a rebuild.

If you sell into the EU, or you just want a website that works well for every visitor, get in touch. We'll review where your site stands on accessibility and lay out a clear, practical plan to put it right.

This article is general information, not legal advice. For your specific obligations under the EAA, seek professional legal guidance.