European Companies Struggle to Meet New Accessibility Regulations Under the EAA

As the European Accessibility Act (EAA) came into effect this week, a new report by Evinced, a leading software company specializing in accessible web and mobile applications, has shed light on the preparedness of European businesses for this critical new legislation. With a six-year preparation period leading up to the EAA's enforcement, the findings raise serious concerns about the commitment of many companies to accessibility standards.

In a comprehensive study involving 120 European companies conducted in April and May 2025, only 27% of respondents considered themselves fully prepared for the EAA, while 45% reported a moderate level of readiness. Alarmingly, 28% indicated that they were either somewhat unprepared or completely unprepared to comply with the regulations.

The Reality of Preparation: A Closer Examination

While some companies expressed confidence in their readiness, further analysis by Evinced suggests that this self-assessment may be overly optimistic. Of those companies feeling fully prepared, only 19% truly transformed their product development processes to avoid future accessibility errors. Nevertheless, 84% of these firms anticipate making adjustments this year using specialized accessibility teams, tools, and training.

On the other side of the spectrum, unprepared companies, which are generally smaller, do not expect significant advancements in accessibility compliance in 2025. They foresee it taking years to fully adhere to the regulations and expect to limit their efforts mainly to remediation projects and audits. Their approach is reactive, focusing on implementing feasible changes in product development without the benefit of proper tools or specialized accessibility teams.

Navin Thadani, CEO and co-founder of Evinced, emphasized that accessibility is not merely a box-ticking exercise. It represents a fundamental shift towards inclusive design in product development. The EAA symbolizes a historic commitment to inclusivity in the digital economy, and companies compelled to comply must seek the most effective strategies to integrate accessibility without hindering product delivery.

The EAA's Global Implications

Though Evinced's research primarily examined European firms, its findings hold relevance for businesses worldwide. The EAA doesn't only impact companies within Europe; it also influences many outside its borders. According to Thadani, businesses in the United States and the United Kingdom with operations or customers in the EU will likely be affected. Thus, firms that invest now in scalable processes, training, and tools are positioning themselves better for creating inclusive digital experiences.

Implementing accessibility is not merely a legal obligation; it is a sound business practice that ensures long-term benefits. Companies placing emphasis on inclusion are less likely to face the costly and reactive fixes that accompany non-compliance.

For more information on creating inclusive digital experiences at scale, visit Evinced's website.

About Evinced

Founded in 2021, Evinced has emerged as a frontrunner in accessibility integration for web and mobile development, working with some of the most accessibility-focused companies globally. Their comprehensive tool suite enables developers, designers, and accessibility specialists to proactively identify, group, and track accessibility issues. This approach minimizes reliance on manual processes, reducing risks and shortening time to market. Based in California, Evinced also has locations in Europe and Israel and is backed by leading investors, including Insight Partners, M12 (part of Microsoft), BGV, Capital One Ventures, and Engineering Capital.