valantic austria DSTNCMP 2025 Initiative

Digital Accessibility According to the EAA: What Companies Need to Know Now

On June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will take effect—an EU-wide directive designed to ensureaccessible digital products and services. This means that companies that operate digital offerings such as websites, e-commerce platforms, mobile applications, etc., will be required to make them accessible in the future.

In Austria, the EAA is implemented under the Accessibility Act (BaFG), and in Germany, under the Act to Strengthen Accessibility (BFSG).

Even though Switzerland is not a member of the EU, Swiss companies’ digital offerings must comply with EAA requirements as soon as their products or services are offered in the EU.

Who is affected by EAA?

The European Accessibility Act applies to companies that offer digital products or services in the EU —particularly in the fields of information and communication technology and e-commerce. To be subject to the Act, a company must have more than ten employees and an annual balance sheet total exceeding two million euros.

What exactly does accessibility mean?

Accessibility is not an add-on, but a central component of good UX. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define clear standards for this—particularly at the AA level—that are intended to make websites accessible to everyone.

These include:

Clear, easy-to-understand content presented in a structured manner
Easy navigation and intuitive operation
Sufficient contrast between text and background
Alternative Text for Images & Videos

However, these points provide only a preliminary overview. To achieve true accessibility, it is essential to implement the WCAG guidelines comprehensively. Everything new that goes live on or after the effective date of June 28, 2025, must comply with the legal standards.

Digital inclusion requires strong partners

Now, more than ever, is the time to consider accessibility. Whether it’s a website or an e-commerce platform, digital experts like valantic support projects from accessible design through UX and front-end development to technical implementation. This is where the expertise of certified web accessibility specialists really comes into play. valantic Austria also helps organizations take the next step toward digital inclusion.