European Firms Lag Behind on Accessibility Compliance * SciTechTimes.com

Most European firms are not fully ready for the EAA, with only 27% claiming full compliance ahead of the June 28 enforcement deadline.

Compliance Confidence vs. Reality

As the European Accessibility Act (EAA) takes effect, a new report from Evinced reveals that only 27% of surveyed companies feel fully prepared. Despite six years of lead time, 45% say they are only somewhat ready, while 28% admit they are not prepared at all. Even among those claiming readiness, just 19% have meaningfully transformed their development processes to prevent future accessibility issues. Encouragingly, 84% plan to invest in dedicated teams and tools this year to improve their accessibility posture.

Smaller Firms Face Steeper Challenges

The report highlights a stark divide between larger, well-resourced companies and smaller firms. Unprepared organizations tend to be smaller and less equipped to meet EAA standards. Many expect compliance to take several more years and are currently focused on audits and remediation rather than proactive development changes. Without dedicated accessibility teams or tools, these companies risk falling further behind as enforcement begins.

Global Implications Beyond Europe

Although the EAA is a European regulation, its impact will extend to non-EU companies with operations or customers in the region. U.S. and UK firms are among those likely to be affected. Evinced CEO Navin Thadani emphasized that accessibility is not just a legal obligation but a strategic advantage. Companies that invest early in scalable solutions will be better positioned to deliver inclusive digital experiences and avoid costly retrofits.

Interesting Insight

According to Storyblok’s March 2025 survey, only 25% of European businesses felt fully prepared for the EAA, and 18.5% weren’t aware of the Act at all. This lack of awareness underscores the urgency for education and investment in accessibility, especially as the regulation applies to any company serving EU citizens—regardless of where it’s headquartered. Simple changes like improving color contrast or adding alt text can make a significant difference, yet many firms still lack the tools and training to implement them effectively.