The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is one of the most consequential regulations shaping digital business today. It defines how products and services must be designed, built, and delivered to ensure equal access for all consumers across Europe.
This is not a legal side note. The EAA has direct implications for growth, customer experience, and competitiveness. It will affect every website, mobile app, and checkout flow that touches the European market.
What the EAA Means in Practice
At its core, the EAA requires that digital services be accessible to people with disabilities. This is not about adding one-off features. It is about redesigning customer journeys so they are usable for everyone.
The areas most directly affected are:
Websites: Navigation, content, and interactions must be accessible.
Mobile Apps: Interfaces, forms, and alerts must function with assistive technologies.
Checkout Flows: Every step from cart to payment must be operable, understandable, and consistent.
If your business operates digital channels in Europe, the law applies.
Key Dates Leaders Must Track
June 28, 2025: The law took effect across the EU. All new products and services entering the market must comply.
Existing services: Compliance is now required for current websites, applications, and service flows.
Transition period until June 28, 2030: Certain legacy products, such as payment terminals, may remain in use temporarily but must be upgraded or replaced by this date.
The window for preparation has closed. Organizations that have not acted are already behind.
The Executive Action Agenda
To move with speed and confidence, business leaders should focus on five immediate steps:
1. Assess your current state: Audit websites, mobile apps, and checkout flows for accessibility gaps.
2. Secure critical journeys first: Prioritize customer-facing flows that drive revenue and service.
3. Strengthen vendor standards: Require accessibility in all procurement and third-party platforms.
4. Embed inclusive design: Make accessibility integral to product and UX design.
5. Build organizational capability: Equip teams with training and tools to deliver accessible experiences at scale.
Compliance is not just risk management. It is a pathway to stronger customer trust, reduced legal exposure, and broader market reach.
How Wally Strengthens Your Path to EAA Readiness
Wally Consulting supports organizations with an integrated approach anchored in three focus areas:
Leadership: Helping executives set direction, allocate resources, and translate regulation into business advantage.
Compliance: Providing audits, technical roadmaps, and implementation support to meet standards with confidence.
Culture: Embedding accessibility into daily ways of working so it becomes a sustainable business practice.
This approach ensures that accessibility is not treated as a one-time compliance exercise but as a driver of long-term growth and resilience.
The Imperative for Action
The European Accessibility Act is more than compliance. It marks a new standard for digital business. Companies that act decisively now will expand their reach, build stronger customer loyalty, and position themselves ahead of competitors. Those that wait will face rising costs, reputational risk, and lost opportunity.
The choice is clear. Leaders act now.
