📱 The European Accessibility Act is here – what startups need to know

Big news for founders building digital products for the European market: the European Accessibility Act (EAA) has kicked in as of 28th June 2025 and it's set to reshape how we design and deliver everything from e-commerce sites to banking apps.

But before you panic-Google “accessibility compliance for tech startups” - we’ve got you. This blog breaks it all down: what the law means, what’s in scope, and how to make sure your product isn’t just compliant, but more inclusive (and competitive) too.

💡 So, what is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?

The EAA is an EU directive that harmonises accessibility requirements for digital products and services across all EU member states. Think of it as the EU’s big accessibility moment that should bring clear rules to things like:

• Smartphones, tablets, laptops and e-readers
• Self-service kiosks, ATMs and ticketing machines
• Digital services like online shopping platforms, consumer banking services, media streaming, mobile apps, transport booking apps, e-books, and more

It’s all about ensuring people with disabilities and really, all users, can access digital products and services more easily.

And while micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees or less than €2M annual turnover) are exempt, a lot of startups and scaleups selling into the EU will be affected.

✅ What does “accessible” actually mean?

It means adhering to what is now considered the minimum for accessibility standards. These include:

• Clear and readable content
• Compatibility with assistive technologies (like screen readers)
• Keyboard navigation
• Captions for video/audio
• Clear instructions and user-friendly support services
• Accessible packaging and information for physical products

In short: design like everyone matters, because they do.

🚨 What happens if you ignore it?

Non-compliance isn't just a slap on the wrist, it could mean a whole host of things you don't want to happen when scaling your business such as:

• Fines and enforcement from national regulators
• Legal and reputational risks
• A missed opportunity to serve the 135 million+ EU residents living with disabilities

So if you're building an e-commerce platform, a mobile app, or any kind of digital service for EU users, this really should be on your radar.

🧠 What should your startup do now?

Here’s a quick checklist to get ahead of the European Accessibility Act 2025:

1. Check if your product or service is in scope
2. Run an accessibility audit – Look at your UI, code, content, and customer support
3. Apply the standards – WCAG 2.1 AA, EN 301 549, and other relevant technical specs
4. Build accessibility into your product roadmap – Work with devs, UX teams, content creators
5. Stay compliant – Monitor updates from regulators and plan for regular reviews

We also recommend documenting your accessibility efforts – not only is it part of the compliance requirements, it’s increasingly something investors ask about, especially those with ESG frameworks in play.

💥 Accessibility = Opportunity

This isn’t just a compliance box to tick. It’s a growth strategy.

Making your product more accessible opens you up to millions of new users, strengthens your brand credibility, and helps you build more resilient, future-proof products.

It’s also a space for innovation. Think voice control, real-time captions, accessible-first UX... these are features that benefit everyone, not just users with specific needs

Need a hand?

If you're wondering whether your product’s in scope, or what an accessibility audit should look like, drop us a message. At Founders Law, we work with fast-growing startups on everything from product regulation to EU tech compliance and we're always happy to chat (in plain English, not legalese).

Let’s make the digital world a little more inclusive and your product a whole lot stronger. Contact us today.