Majority of European Companies Unprepared for European Accessibility Act Compliance

EAA Compliance: An Overview

The recent implementation of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) has brought significant attention to the level of preparedness among European companies in adapting to these new regulations. Evinced, a leading software company dedicated to accessibility, conducted a study involving 120 European companies to gauge their readiness for compliance. Despite having a six-year preparatory period, the findings reveal a concerning trend. Only 27% of the surveyed companies feel fully prepared to meet the EAA compliance standards, while 45% report being somewhat prepared. Alarmingly, 28% either feel poorly prepared or not prepared at all.

The Confidence Paradox

This data raises a pertinent question about the true state of readiness. Evinced's research highlights that even among those which claim full preparation, only 19% believe they have adequately transformed their product development processes to avert future accessibility errors. This indicates that the claim of preparedness might be more about surface-level confidence rather than deep-rooted changes within organizational practices. Looking ahead, 84% of these companies express intentions to enhance their processes through specialized teams focusing on accessibility, adopting tools, and investing in training initiatives within the year.

A Divided Outlook

On the other hand, companies that identify themselves as unprepared are generally characterized by their smaller size compared to their fully prepared counterparts. These firms do not foresee major improvements in 2025 regarding compliance and instead expect to need additional years to achieve full adherence. Their strategies are predominantly focused on patches and audits, often lacking investments in tools or dedicated accessibility teams, which can hinder the creation of a sustainable, inclusive approach to product development.

A New Standard for Inclusivity

Navin Thadani, the CEO and co-founder of Evinced, emphasizes that accessibility should not merely be a checklist item for organizations. "In essence, it’s about fostering a culture where inclusiveness is a driving principle in product development," he states. The EAA signifies a historic commitment to inclusivity in the digital economy. Organizations facing compliance challenges need to identify efficient strategies to embed accessibility into their workflows without stalling product delivery.

EAA Beyond Europe

While the focus of the report has been on European companies, it’s vital to recognize the far-reaching implications of the EAA. Many non-European businesses—those with headquarters in the US, UK, and elsewhere with operations or clients in the EU—will also be influenced by these regulations. Thadani notes, "The EAA is not merely a localized law; it applies broadly across borders. Companies investing in scalable processes, training, and tools now will have a competitive edge in delivering inclusive digital experiences while avoiding potentially costly, reactive adjustments in the future. Accessibility isn't just the right approach; it's the intelligent choice."

The Role of Evinced

Since its inception in 2021, Evinced has positioned itself as a pioneering force in integrating accessibility into web and mobile development. Boasting a powerful toolset, Evinced empowers developers and designers to proactively discover, cluster, and monitor accessibility issues, paving the way for minimized risk and enhanced market responsiveness. With strategic support from investors like Insight Partners and Microsoft’s venture capital arm M12, Evinced is spearheading a transformative approach to accessibility in tech and beyond.

For further insights into creating scalable, inclusive digital experiences, visit www.evinced.com.