New European accessibility law
On June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will go into effect. This new law is a major step in making digital products and services accessible to people with disabilities. Providers of websites, apps, e-books, ticket machines and online shops, among others, are required by law to make their services accessible to everyone.
Digital Government June 23, 2025
With the introduction of the EAA, digital accessibility is no longer an optional ambition, but mandatory. Specifically, this means:
Digital products must comply with accessibility standards (as WCAG 2.1).
Accessibility must be included from the design phase (by design).
Existing systems must be adapted to the new requirements. Sometimes there is a transition period.
Companies face fines if they do not comply.
What does this mean for government employees?
The EAA focuses on the private sector. Government websites and apps have already been covered by the Government Digital Accessibility Decree since 2018. Those obligations remain unchanged with the introduction of the EAA. However, it is important to take the new European requirements into account in procurement processes. Furthermore, the new law strengthens the focus on digital inclusion in policy, ICT and services.
Symbolic date
The law takes effect on June 28, a date not chosen by chance. That day has been declared Digital Accessibility Day, which calls worldwide attention to digital inclusion.
