From 28 June 2025, a new law will come into force in the EU that fundamentally changes the rules of the digital world.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) makes it mandatory for digital services to be accessible to all users – including people with disabilities and seniors.
If your business operates a website, e-shop, mobile app, booking engine or digital product, you will need to ensure they comply with WCAG 2.2 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
Failure to comply? It could cost you up to €30,000.
Correctly implementing accessibility? It will bring you higher user satisfaction, reputational gain and competitive advantage.
The EEAA is a piece of legislation that obliges digital providers to comply with accessibility rules. It covers so-called information society services – digital products and services provided online, whether for free or for a fee.
The Act applies in particular to:- Websites and e-shops
- Online booking systems and forms
- Digital banking, insurance and investment services
- Streaming platforms and audiovisual content
- Ticketing, transport apps and travel portals
- E-books, educational apps and downloadable documents
Who is not affected by the law? Exemptions under the EAA
Accessibility liability does not apply to:
- Microenterprises (up to 10 employees and annual turnover below €2 million)
- Third-party content, such as embedded videos, podcasts or external PDFs not created by the company
Everything else – from navigation to the shopping cart – must meet WCAG 2.2 standards.
What exactly is WCAG 2.2 and what will it requireWCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are international standards that define how digital content should be accessible to everyone.
Version WCAG 2.2 introduces new rules focused on:Key Criteria:
- Sufficient contrast and legibility of text
- Ability to control the entire site without mouse (keyboard only)
- Understandable forms and smart field labeling
- Alternative text for images (ALT) and control descriptions
- Easier identity verification without CAPTCHA
What are you at risk of if your site or app doesn’t comply with the rules
In Slovakia, the Slovak Trade Inspection Authority (SOI) will carry out the inspection. In the event of non-compliance with the EAA, businesses could face:
The law is effective as of 6/28/2025
Digital services contracted before that date may operate until June 28, 2030
– after which they must comply with WCAG 2.2 anyway.
How do I know if my website or app is WCAG 2.2 compliant?
Automated tools (first step):
- axe DevTools – browser extension for quick auditing
- WAVE (WebAIM) – visual accessibility analysis
- Google Lighthouse – part of DevTools in Chrome
Manual Testing (required addition):
- Keyboard-only navigation
- Using screen readers (VoiceOver, NVDA, JAWS)
- Testing UX for users with different disabilities
Accessibility audit:
Comprehensive assessment of sites, components and interactions with regard to legislation and user experience. The audit will provide:
- Detailed problem report
- Specific recommendations for modifications
- Prioritized and risk-adjusted adjustment map
➡️ Don’t know where to start with accessibility?
Trust the experts and leave nothing to chance.
10 most common errors that WCAG 2.2 does not forgive
- Unlabeled buttons (e.g. “more info”) without description
- Insufficient colour contrast (e.g. light grey text on white background)
- CAPTCHA without alternative
- Navigation impossible without mouse
- Missing ALT texts
- Complex forms without help
- Too small clickable areas on mobiles
- Links that don’t say where they lead
- Complex identity verification (e.g. passwords with conditions that the reader does not report)
- Incompatibility with screen readers
Accessibility isn’t just an obligation – it’s an opportunity
Digital accessibility means:
- Increase conversions and user satisfaction
- Higher market reach (seniors, disabled, mobile users)
- Stronger reputation and ESG values of the company
- Better UX for everyone, not just “specific” users