On June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) came into force.
The EAA requires companies in the EU to ensure that their products and services are accessible also to people with disabilities. This applies, among others, to
- e-commerce and digital services,
- computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices,
- ATMs, banking services, and payment terminals,
- e-books, digital media, and software applications, as well as
- public transportation and traffic information systems.
Although Swiss companies are not based in the EU, the requirements of the EAA apply to them without restriction as soon as they operate within the EU. Such companies should therefore act in order to comply with these accessibility provisions. Otherwise, they risk severe penalties and competitive disadvantages.
First measures to comply with the European Accessibility Act
Here are our top 5 recommendations for a systematic approach to achieving EAA compliance in the best possible way:
- Perform a quick audit of your digital offerings
Use automated tools and the expertise of specialists to check your website, apps, and digital services for barriers. Pay particular attention to:
- Contrast and keyboard operability
- Structure and comprehensibility of the website
- Compatibility with screen readers and assistive technologies - Prioritize immediate measures
Create a list of the most urgent problems, prioritize them, and work through them. Start with the simplest problems and focus on the weak points that prevent or significantly restrict the use of your offers. - Obtain support from experts
If your company lacks the expertise, consult an accessibility specialist! They know the EAA requirements inside out and can recommend efficient solutions. - Involve employees and raise their awareness
Train your employees – especially developers, designers, and content managers – in order to quickly raise awareness of accessibility. Even small adjustments can lead to significant improvements. - Obtain user feedback
Involve users with disabilities in a targeted manner. They give you realistic feedback and allow you to rectify errors efficiently. You can also upload an accessibility statement to your website that provides details on how people can contact you if they discover barriers or need help.
The European Accessibility Act – a wake-up call to finally address accessibility
The accessibility requirements are legally binding. The EU member states can impose fines of up to 100’000 euros for violations of the EAA. In addition, there is the threat of a considerable loss of reputation. The risk should not be underestimated, especially for Swiss companies that use the EU market as an important distribution channel.
But accessibility is not just an arduous duty. If you make your offer accessible to all users, its quality and reach will increase – a fact that will be reflected in your success.
If you are interested in further information or professional support, our accessibility team will be happy to assist you. To get an overview on the topic, check out the following links:
- Webinars:
- How to address the EAA (German)
- What to do before the EAA's enactment on June 28 (English)
- Accessibility in Digital Administration (German)
- Whitepapers:
- The Accessible Banking User Journey of 2025 (German, English)
- Accessibility in Digital Administration (German, French)
- Blog posts:
