Unveiling the EAA Readiness: European Companies' Lack of Preparation
The enactment of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) marks a pivotal moment for inclusivity in the digital realm. However, a recently published report by Evinced, a leading accessibility software provider, reveals alarming statistics about European companies' unpreparedness for compliance. This report, based on a study involving 120 European firms conducted between April and May 2025, demonstrates that despite having six years to prepare, the vast majority of businesses are still lagging behind.
Key Findings from the EAA Readiness Report
According to the findings, only
27% of the surveyed companies consider themselves fully prepared for the EAA's compliance requirements. Contrastingly,
45% believe they are somewhat ready, and a significant
28% admit to being poorly or not at all prepared. These percentages highlight a concerning trend about the overall commitment to accessibility standards among European firms.
In-depth analysis indicates that the confidence of some companies may be misplaced. Even among those that claim complete readiness, just
19% have sufficiently transformed their product development processes to avert future accessibility challenges. Nonetheless, an optimistic
84% of these organizations intend to implement dedicated accessibility teams, tools, and training within the year.
A Closer Look at Unprepared Companies
The report revealed that companies struggling with preparation typically tend to be smaller and often lack the resources necessary for significant progress towards compliance in 2025. Many do not expect to make substantial advancements and plan to focus primarily on remediation projects and audits. Efforts aimed at product development changes are likely to be made without leveraging specialized accessibility tools or resources, raising concerns about the quality of the developed products.
Navin Thadani, CEO and co-founder of Evinced, emphasized the need for a change in mindset regarding accessibility. He stated,
"Accessibility is not just a requirement; it fundamentally involves cultivating a business and a product development process that prioritizes inclusion. The EAA is a historic commitment to inclusivity in the digital economy, and firms tackling compliance will need to find efficient methods to integrate accessibility into their workflows without hindering product delivery.”
Global Implications of the EAA
While Evinced’s research focused on European firms, the implications of the EAA extend far beyond Europe’s borders. Companies outside Europe, including those based in the U.S. and the U.K. with operations or clientele in the EU, will also be directly impacted. Thadani noted,
“This is not just a local law; it’s highly likely that businesses beyond European borders will also feel the effects. Investing now in scalable processes, training, and tools will better position companies to deliver inclusive digital experiences while avoiding costly reactive solutions in the future. Accessibility is not only the right thing to do—it's the smart thing to do.”
Future of Digital Accessibility
As the compliance deadline approaches, the challenge of digital accessibility remains critical. Evinced aims to facilitate the integration of accessibility into corporate practices, reducing dependency on manual processes and enhancing risk mitigation. Their advanced set of tools automatically detects, tracks, and groups accessibility problems, accelerating the overall time to market and enhancing product quality.
Evinced, established in 2021, is leading the charge towards improved accessibility in web and mobile development. It advocates for a proactive approach, urging companies to rethink their strategies regarding accessibility in product development.
To learn more about implementing scalable inclusive digital experiences, visit
www.evinced.com.