WEBSITE COMPLIANCE AND THE FUTURE OF WEB ACCESSIBILITY
If you run a business or organisation in the UK or EU, understanding your legal obligations around website accessibility is more important than ever.
With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) now in effect, the legal obligation to meet accessibility standards has expanded.
Previously, only specific sectors, such as public sector organisations, banking, and transport were required to comply with formal accessibility regulations. Now, under the EAA, all businesses providing products or digital services to EU markets must ensure their websites and digital platforms are accessible.
Whether you’re a business owner, developer, or designer, recognising the importance of accessibility is crucial. Inclusive design not only helps your site comply with legal requirements but also creates a better experience for all users, including those with disabilities.
In this blog, we will help you understand the current requirements for website compliance and accessibility, exploring:
- Why website compliance matters more than ever
- Understanding your legal obligations with the European Accessibility Act 2025
- Core accessibility features of websites
- Web compliance guidelines to know
WHY WEBSITE COMPLIANCE MATTERS MORE THAN EVER
Accessible websites are a vital part of building a positive, inclusive digital experience for everyone.
Right now, millions of people rely on assistive technologies to navigate the web, and websites that ignore accessibility can leave these users excluded.
From a business perspective, overlooking accessibility means missing out on potential customers and facing legal or reputational risks. This is particularly important for UK businesses that trade in the EU, as the European Accessibility Act, (now in force as of June 2025), significantly expands accessibility requirements for e-commerce and digital services across EU member states.
Beyond compliance, inclusive design benefits everyone. Clear navigation, readable text, and logical page structures improve usability for all users, whether they have a disability or not.
While the European Accessibility Act sets clear legal obligations for businesses operating in the EU, not all organisations are legally required to meet these standards.
In the UK, there is no single digital accessibility law, but under the Equality Act 2010, businesses are required to make “reasonable adjustments” for disabled users. This means an inaccessible website could be considered discriminatory.
In addition, compliance is a legal requirement for certain sectors including public sector organisations, finance, transport, and education. Meaning formal accessibility standards must be met. By ensuring your website is accessible, you not only reduce legal risk but also create a more user-friendly experience, support better search engine performance, and show your commitment to social responsibility.
UNDERSTANDING THE EUROPEAN ACCESSIBILITY ACT 2025
As of 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is now in force across EU member states. It sets mandatory accessibility requirements for certain digital products and services, including websites, mobile apps and e-commerce platforms.
Although the UK is no longer part of the EU, UK businesses that offer digital services to consumers in the EU must still comply with the EAA. If your organisation provides online services to EU customers, such as selling products or offering digital platforms, you are required to meet these accessibility standards, even if your operations are based in the UK.
The EAA is underpinned by the European standard EN 301 549, which outlines technical accessibility criteria and closely aligns with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. These standards help ensure that digital services are accessible to people with a range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, and cognitive impairments.
UK organisations serving EU markets should review their digital offerings to ensure they comply with the requirements of the EAA. This is now a legal obligation across industries providing products or services within the EU, including e-commerce, banking, and digital services. Beyond compliance, meeting these standards also supports best practice in accessibility and inclusive design.
CORE ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES OF WEBSITES
When it comes to making websites inclusive, certain features play a vital role in ensuring everyone can access and use your content. Key accessibility features include:
Skip to content links: These allow users, especially those using screen readers or keyboard navigation, to bypass repetitive navigation menus and jump straight to the main content. It improves usability and speeds up access for those who cannot use a mouse.
Captions and transcriptions: All audio and video content should include captions or transcripts, so users who are deaf or hard of hearing can access the information.
Alternative text for images: This allows screen readers to describe images aloud to visually impaired users. Any image that conveys important information and is not just decorative should have clear, descriptive alt text.
Keyboard navigation: Many users rely on keyboards instead of a mouse or touchscreen. A fully accessible website lets users navigate easily through all elements using only the keyboard.
Screen reader compatibility: Websites should be built using semantic HTML, so assistive technologies like screen readers can correctly interpret and present the page content.
Colour contrast and text styling: Text must stand out clearly against its background. Poor contrast or very small fonts can make reading impossible for users with visual impairments.
Clear and consistent layout: Navigation menus, buttons, and links should be easy to find and understand, helping users with cognitive disabilities navigate your site confidently.
WEBSITE COMPLIENCE GUIDELINES TO KNOW
If you’re looking to make your website inclusive and legally compliant, there are a few key standards and guidelines mentioned earlier that you need to understand.
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)
This is the cornerstone of web accessibility. WCAG is the global standard on which most legislation, including the European Accessibility Act, is based. The latest version is WCAG 2.1, and websites are generally expected to meet Level AA compliance.
WCAG is organised around four main principles, known as POUR:
- Perceivable: Can users see or hear the content?
- Operable: Can they navigate the site easily?
- Understandable: Is the content clear and predictable?
- Robust: Does the site work well with different devices and assistive technologies?
EN 301 549
This European standard sets accessibility requirements for ICT products and services, referencing WCAG directly. If your website complies with WCAG 2.1 AA, you’re likely already meeting EN 301 549 as well.
The Equality Act 2010 (UK)
Although not specific to digital accessibility, the Equality Act requires UK businesses to make “reasonable adjustments” for disabled users. An inaccessible website could fall short of this legal obligation, potentially exposing your business to complaints or legal action.
FUTURE-PROOFING YOUR WEBSITE
As digital accessibility requirements continue to evolve, future-proofing your website is one of the smartest investments your business can make.
It’s not just about complying with today’s regulations but also about preparing for future standards and ensuring your website can adapt as technology and legal requirements change.
With legislation like the European Accessibility Act raising the bar for inclusive design, expectations around website accessibility will only continue to grow. Businesses that prioritise accessibility now will be better positioned to build trust, reach wider audiences, and avoid costly retrofits down the line. Remember, you don’t need to overhaul everything overnight, but by making accessibility a key part of your long-term digital strategy today, you’ll make it much easier to stay compliant and create a more inclusive experience for everyone.
HOW EDGE CREATIVE CAN HELP YOU STAY INCLUSIVE
At EDGE Creative, we don’t just build websites, we make sure they’re accessible, compliant, and ready for the future.
Whether you’re launching a new site or updating an existing one, our web development and UX design agency puts accessibility at the heart of your online presence.
Ready to make your website inclusive and meet evolving accessibility standards? Call us on 0121 355 8092 or email info@edge-creative.com to start building a website that works for everyone.
