The accessibility act is here. We’re already there.

Last update: 23.07.2025

In this blog:

1. The law that turns ‘nice-to-have’ into ‘must-have’
2. One law to align them all
3. From moral gap to market failure
4. Compliance as product hygiene
5. The GDPR of accessibility - but quieter
6. Not just compliant. Committed
7. The future won’t wait for retrofitting
8. Accessibility Terminology Cheat Sheet
9. Further reading: European Accessibility Act FAQs

Why the EAA is reshaping digital business and how nShift turned compliance into an advantage. 

The law that turns ‘nice-to-have’ into ‘must-have’ 

Accessibility is no longer a gesture. As of June 2025, it's a legal requirement. Here’s what that actually means and why it rewards the prepared. 

On 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) becomes enforceable law, marking a decisive shift in how digital products and services are expected to work across the EU. If GDPR reshaped how we think about privacy, the EAA is doing the same for accessibility. Quietly but firmly, it changes the rules of digital engagement: from now on, if your product isn’t usable by people with disabilities, it’s not legally usable at all. 

That may sound like bureaucracy, but it's actually design philosophy turned regulation. It signals that accessibility is no longer a moral nice-to-have or a fringe feature set, but a core operational requirement. 

In this post, we unpack what the EAA actually means, not in legalese, but in practical, strategic terms. We’ll look at the problems it aims to fix, the disruption it’s already causing in the enterprise ecosystem, and how nShift is not only ready for it, but using it as a lever to lead.  

One law to align them all 

From dozens of standards to one clear framework: how the EAA finally brings predictability to a fragmented compliance landscape. 

Think of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) as EU’s way of replacing ambiguity with clarity, and doing so at scale. Introduced in 2019, it harmonizes accessibility requirements across all member states, sweeping away the fragmented patchwork of national rules that left businesses guessing and users excluded. 

In practical terms, the EAA extends earlier efforts, like the Web Accessibility Directive, which focused on the public sector, and brings them firmly into the private domain. This means enterprise software, consumer electronics, banking interfaces, e-commerce sites, and even self-service ticketing systems are now within scope. 

And it’s not theoretical. As of 28 June 2025, the rules are no longer suggestions. Any new product or service that falls under the EAA must meet specific accessibility standards across every EU market. One regulation, one continent, one standard of usability. 

From moral gap to market failure 

Inaccessible design is unfair and inefficient. The EAA solves both a rights issue and a €20 billion business problem. 

Before the EAA, digital accessibility in Europe was governed by geography and luck. One country might enforce strict standards, while the next offered little or nothing. For users with disabilities, that meant unpredictable access to services. For businesses, it meant navigating conflicting rules, reworking interfaces market by market and often failing to serve everyone well. 

The EAA changes that by setting a single, enforceable standard. Accessibility is no longer a patch or an afterthought; it becomes the default mode of operation. 

And the stakes are large. More than 80 million EU citizens live with a disability, and globally the number is closer to 16% of the population. That’s not a niche audience; it’s a segment larger than many markets businesses spend millions on to capture. 

There’s also the economic friction: fragmented national rules have cost European businesses and governments an estimated €20 billion per year in added complexity and inefficiency. The EAA addresses both sides, removing barriers for users while removing waste for companies. Inclusion, in this case, is also optimization. 

Compliance as product hygiene 

It’s not just websites. It’s not just B2C. If your service touches an end-user, you’re in scope. Here’s what’s required and why it matters upstream. 

At its core, the EAA demands that covered products and services comply with recognized accessibility benchmarks—specifically WCAG 2.1 and EN 301 549. That includes everything from websites and mobile apps to hardware interfaces like ticket machines and e-readers. 

In practical terms, that means screen-reader compatibility, keyboard-only navigation, high-contrast visuals, and the ability to access information in alternative formats. Even support channels, often overlooked, must now be inclusive by design. 

It’s not just websites. And while the law focuses on B2C, the line is fading fast. If your service powers or supports a consumer-facing journey, even indirectly, accessibility is fast becoming a requirement. Not always by regulation, but increasingly by contract. 

Micro-enterprises are exempt. But for any medium to large company doing business in the EU, including enterprise platforms like nShift, compliance isn’t optional. It’s operational hygiene. 

The GDPR of accessibility - but quieter 

Only 11% are ready. For the rest, the cost of delay is increasing. For first movers, the upside is already here. 

The EAA is GDPR’s quiet twin, less publicized, but no less disruptive. Enforcement kicks in June 2025, and yet only 11% of affected organizations say they’re confident they’ll be ready in time. Many assumed accessibility was a UI tweak. It isn’t. It’s structural. 

The costs of getting it wrong are real: legal exposure, stalled deals, and the reputational damage of being excluded. But for companies that move early, the EAA is also a rare opening. Accessibility is no longer niche; it’s the new baseline. Inclusive design lifts user experience for everyone and quietly expands your addressable market by tens of millions. 

In B2B, accessibility is becoming a key part of procurement. Buyers aren’t just looking for feature-rich software; they want assurance that the tools they choose won’t create legal or compliance risks. Increasingly, the question is less “Is this product good?” and more “Does this product keep us safe?” 

Not just compliant. Committed 

nShift didn’t retrofit accessibility. It was rebuilt around it. Here’s what that means for clients who don’t want to inherit risk. 

nShift didn’t wait for the EAA deadline to start moving. It recognized early that accessibility wasn’t just a legal requirement; it was a product principle. The company reviewed its full platform portfolio, from customer-facing solutions like Track and Checkout to order management components, such as Ship and Delivery, embedding accessibility into the development lifecycle at the architectural level. 

Every new feature now goes through an accessibility review. Design and engineering teams are trained on inclusive standards, and all updates align with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. The result: B2C interfaces are fully compliant, and the more complex B2B environments are actively being brought up to spec. 

But the real signal is ambition. nShift isn’t stopping at regulatory minimums. It’s aiming higher toward WCAG Level AAA. 

For enterprise clients, this translates into more than compliance. It’s risk reduction, reputational alignment, and a logistics layer that won’t become a liability. In a market where many are still retrofitting fixes, nShift is already building the next version accessible by default. 

The future won’t wait for retrofitting 

Accessibility is becoming a proxy for digital maturity. The nShift Delivery Management and Experience Platform shows what readiness and leadership actually look like. 

As accessibility shifts from ethical aspiration to legal and commercial mandate, nShift stands apart, not just for being ready, but for being ahead. The company hasn’t simply met the bar set by the EAA; it’s used to lift its product quality across the board. 

For enterprise clients, that carries weight. It means smoother compliance, better UX, and a technology partner that doesn’t wait for regulation to dictate progress; it builds on what’s next. 

In the post-EAA landscape, accessibility is now a signal of digital maturity, operational readiness, and brand credibility. And here at nShift, we aim to lead with intention and quietly redefine what high-performance, responsible software looks like across the EU and beyond. 

You can find our Accessibility statement at https://nshift.com/accessibility

Accessibility Terminology Cheat Sheet 

Key terms and abbreviations used in this article 

EAA – European Accessibility Act 

A 2019 EU directive (Directive (EU) 2019/882) that requires certain products and services to meet standardized accessibility criteria across all EU member states. Enforcement begins 28 June 2025. 

WCAG – Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 

A global set of technical standards for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. 

• WCAG 2.1 is the most widely adopted version.
• It defines three levels of conformance: 
  • A (basic),
  • AA (mid-level, generally required by law),
  • AAA (highest, aspirational). 

EN 301 549 

The European standard that specifies accessibility requirements for ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) products and services. It incorporates WCAG 2.1 for web content but also covers hardware, documents, and software. 

ICT – Information and Communication Technology 

A broad term covering both physical devices (e.g. ATMs, smartphones) and digital platforms (e.g. websites, software) used to process or communicate information. 

Assistive Technology 

Any device or software that helps people with disabilities interact with digital content, for example, screen readers, voice recognition, or alternative input devices. 

Inclusive Design 

A design approach that aims to make products usable by as many people as possible, regardless of ability or disability, often overlapping with but broader than accessibility compliance. 

Accessibility Compliance 

Conformance with legal or technical standards (like WCAG or EN 301 549) to ensure products and services can be used by people with disabilities. 

Further reading: European Accessibility Act FAQs

What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU directive (EU 2019/882) designed to improve accessibility of products and services—including websites and digital platforms—across member states. It mandates compliance by June 28, 2025 for relevant products and services.

Which services and platforms are covered under the Accessibility Act?

The EAA applies to digital products and services like websites, mobile apps, public services, e-commerce platforms, and ATMs. It ensures that users with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities can access and use these services effectively.

When does the Accessibility Act become enforceable?

Member states were required to adopt regulations by June 28, 2022. Full compliance with accessibility requirements must be achieved by June 28, 2025. After this deadline, affected services may be subject to complaints and legal enforcement.

What standards define accessible digital content?

Under the EAA, digital content must follow the WCAG principles of being perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. These standards ensure compatibility with assistive technologies such as screen readers and keyboard navigation.

How is nShift already aligned with the Accessibility Act?

nShift has implemented accessibility measures across its digital platform—such as keyboard navigation support, plain‑language content, alt text for images, and captioned media—to meet WCAG guidelines and align with EAA requirements ahead of the 2025 deadline.

What does compliance with accessibility mean for customers?

It ensures that all customers—including those with disabilities—can use nShift’s services without barriers. This enhances user experience, broadens market reach, and helps businesses meet ESG and regulatory expectations.

References

1. The EAA comes into effect in June 2025. Are you ready? - European Commission 
2. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_11_4  
3. European Accessibility Act - Wikipedia  
4. siteimprove.com 
5. European Accessibility Act (EAA) & B2B: What you need to know  
6. abilitynet.org.uk 
7. EAA: Only 11% of organisations confident they will meet June deadline | AbilityNet 
8. Accessibility - nShift