Navigating EAA Compliance for U.S. Businesses

Discover how User1st helps U.S. enterprises meet European Accessibility Act (EAA) standards with innovative tools and practical support.

Introduction

Big changes are on the way for businesses that operate in Europe. The deadline for the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is fast approaching, and it’s going to have a big impact on how digital services are offered across borders. This doesn’t just apply to European companies; if you’re a U.S. business providing websites, apps, or digital products to customers in the EU, you’re included too.

If people in the EU use your website, app, or digital tools, now’s the time to make sure you’re meeting accessibility standards. This isn’t just a technical requirement. It’s about making sure everyone, including people with disabilities, can access and use what you offer.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is about more than just compliance. It’s a push to make the digital world more inclusive. The law requires that digital products and services be accessible to all, regardless of ability. That includes U.S. companies doing business in the EU.

It’s important to understand what the EAA covers and whether your business needs to take action to stay ahead. With the deadline, getting started now can help you avoid last-minute disruptions and, more importantly, ensure everyone can fully engage with what you provide.

Key Essentials Of The European Accessibility Act (EAA)

The European Accessibility Act sets a standard for accessibility in digital services and products, including websites, mobile applications, e-commerce platforms, banking tools, ticketing machines, and more. Its focus is to ensure inclusivity for users relying on assistive technologies such as screen readers, video captions, or keyboard-only navigation.

Compliance is required if your business delivers digital services to customers in the European Union or operates platforms used there. The EAA mandates adherence to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are familiar to U.S. organizations working with ADA or Section 508 standards. What sets the EAA apart is its emphasis on building accessibility into the user experience from the beginning.

Key compliance points include:

– Compliance deadline: June 28, 2025

– Applies to financial, telecom, transport, and retail sectors

– Requires accessibility to be embedded in source code

– Documentation must be maintained for audit purposes

Taking action now can save time and reduce future costs, while also keeping your projects on schedule.

How User1st Can Help Developers Stay Aligned With Accessibility Compliance

Meeting EAA requirements can feel complex, but User1st offers real solutions. Our platform is built for development teams that need efficient, code-level feedback during the build phase. By catching accessibility issues as they happen, developers can address them without delaying the release cycle.

User1st’s tools are designed to help your team find and fix accessibility issues as they happen. They follow the latest WCAG 2.2 standards, so your developers get clear, actionable guidance, just like they would when dealing with performance or security problems.

We also offer free tools to quickly check code snippets for common issues, like low color contrast or missing labels. This makes it easier to keep accessibility efforts in step with the way modern development teams work while helping everyone on your team build up their knowledge over time.

Our approach ensures accessibility isn’t siloed to one part of the workflow. Instead, it becomes part of the way your team works every day.

Making Your Digital Platforms Inclusive From The Start

Accessible design should be a starting point, not an afterthought. Every user deserves an experience that works for them, whether they engage using voice input, screen readers, touch screens, or keyboards.

Here are practical steps to ensure inclusion:

1. Design with accessibility in mind: Use clear contrast and avoid relying on color alone to convey meaning.

2. Use semantic HTML: Ensure buttons, links, and menus are correctly labeled for assistive technologies.

3. Label form elements: Text fields and buttons need proper labels and keyboard support.

4. Create logical keyboard flow: Users must be able to navigate in a clear and consistent order.

5. Test accessibility early: Use screen readers and automated tools during development.

We’ve seen improvements happen quickly with the right tools. For example, a telecom client struggled with keyboard traps in modals during early design. By auditing in the development stage and using real-time code feedback, the issue was resolved before launch, avoiding delays.

Prepare Now To Meet The 2025 EAA Compliance Deadline

Time is limited; waiting to implement accessibility puts your business at risk. If accessibility isn’t a routine part of your workflow, adapting now will help avoid late fixes.

Getting started early opens the door for training, workflow adjustments, and phased rollout. Teams can learn at a sustainable pace and solve issues in manageable phases. You’ll be confident in your processes and documentation when audits or reviews begin.

Adopting accessibility early strengthens your platform and broadens your reach. EAA compliance becomes an opportunity to bring your digital products to more people, not just a legal requirement.

Make Accessibility a Built-In Part of How You Work

Whether you operate in finance, software, retail, or telecom, EAA compliance is about recognizing digital accessibility as a core responsibility. The legal aspect matters, but so does building equitable and user-friendly experiences.

You don’t have to rebuild everything at once. Start with the tools and processes that can grow and improve along with your team. User1st is here to help you take steady steps forward, offering the structure and support you need to meet the European Accessibility Act requirements. When your team is prepared, you build better products, and when your design is accessible, everyone can be part of the experience.

Ensuring accessibility compliance is vital for creating digital platforms that welcome all users. To ease the transition and meet the requirements of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), consider how User1st can support your team with insights and practical tools for building more inclusive experiences. Explore our solutions and see how they can fit into your workflow today.