In 2025, web accessibility will become a gamechanger as new regulations come into effect, imposing stricter requirements on digital solutions. With a focus on inclusion and user-friendliness, it will be crucial for businesses to ensure their websites and e-commerce platforms comply with these new standards. Failure to act could result in both legal and financial consequences – which is why now is the time to take action and ensure your business is compliant.
On June 28, 2025, new web accessibility regulations will come into effect. These regulations require both public and private businesses to ensure that their digital solutions are accessible to everyone.
Web accessibility is about ensuring that everyone – regardless of disabilities or technological limitations – can use and navigate a website. This means your digital solution must be accessible to individuals with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments. Web accessibility is therefore not just a matter of legal compliance but also one of ethics and business benefits.
In practice, web accessibility involves creating solutions that are easy to use for everyone. This can include features such as screen reader-friendly text, color contrasts that make content readable, or navigation that works without a mouse.
Web accessibility is not only important for complying with the law – it is also a competitive advantage. Studies show that businesses investing in accessibility can reach a broader audience and improve the user experience for all visitors.
Furthermore, search engines like Google reward accessible websites with higher rankings, making it an essential part of your SEO strategy.
Accessibility is defined by the WCAG-standarden (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), which outlines the technical requirements for making content accessible.
This standard serves as a global guideline for ensuring that websites and digital solutions are accessible to people with various types of disabilities, and it is used as an international benchmark for web accessibility.
WCAG is based on four fundamental principles:
Perceivable: Content must be perceivable by all users, for example, through alternative text for images or subtitles for videos.
Operable: Features must be operable by all, such as keyboard navigation for those who cannot use a mouse.
Understandable: Content and navigation must be easy to understand and predictable to use.
Robust: The solution must function across different technologies and devices, such as screen readers and mobile devices.
WCAG forms the foundation for many accessibility laws, including the EU's Web Accessibility Directive, which also serves as the basis for the new regulations coming into effect in 2025.
The new web accessibility regulations, coming into effect on June 28, 2025, are part of the EU’s European Accessibility Act. These regulations expand existing requirements and now hold private companies accountable for ensuring that their solutions are accessible to everyone – whereas previously, the rules primarily applied to public sector organizations.
The regulations particularly affect sectors such as e-commerce, banking, transportation, communication services, and others that offer digital products and services to the public.
Failure to comply may result in fines or other sanctions – making it a legal obligation – but it can also damage your company’s reputation and lead to a loss of customers. It is therefore crucial to understand the requirements and take action in good time to ensure your business is ready for the 2025 deadline.
The new accessibility requirements will affect a wide range of businesses and organizations in both the public and private sectors. While many public institutions are already subject to web accessibility requirements, the new regulations broaden the scope to include private companies, particularly those offering digital services and products to the public.
The key sectors impacted include:
Regardless of industry, the regulations apply to any business operating within the EU or offering services to EU citizens. Therefore, it is crucial for businesses to take the new requirements seriously and implement accessibility as a core feature in their solutions.
Measuring web accessibility involves assessing whether your website meets the WCAG standards. There are several methods and tools available to help you identify problem areas and ensure that your digital solution is compliant.
One of the most popular methods is to use automated testing tools that scan your website for issues such as missing alternative text, low contrast, or illogical navigation. These tools can quickly provide an overview of the areas that need attention.
In addition to automated tests, manual testing is equally important, as automated tools cannot catch everything. Manual tests might include navigating the website using only a keyboard, using screen reader software, and checking if the content is easy to understand.
A third approach is conducting an expert audit, where specialists thoroughly review your solution to ensure it complies with WCAG standards. This can be an effective way to receive specific recommendations for improvements.
Accessibility is not a one-time task but an ongoing process. It’s essential to test and optimize your website regularly, especially when adding new content or features. At the same time, you should educate your team so that both developers and content creators understand the importance of web accessibility and know how to contribute to ensuring compliance with the rules.
Many businesses encounter the same issues when it comes to web accessibility. Fortunately, most of these problems can be resolved with simple adjustments if you’re mindful of them.
Here are some of the most common mistakes – and how to avoid them:
For webshops, web accessibility involves specific requirements, such as:
Clear CTAs and buttons: Buttons like "Add to cart" should have clear contrast and descriptive labels, making them easy to locate and understand.
Accessible checkout: The entire payment process must be easy to understand and navigate for all users, including those with cognitive challenges or visual impairments.
In an era where the majority of online traffic comes from mobile devices, accessibility in mobile solutions is just as crucial as on desktops.
Web accessibility on mobile devices includes ensuring that apps and mobile versions:
Can be navigated with assistive tools: Users should be able to use screen readers and keyboard navigation in both apps and browsers.
Have clear buttons and links: Smaller screens require buttons and links that are large enough to tap without errors.
Support zoom functionality: Users must be able to enlarge text and elements without breaking the layout.
Are free of motion-related barriers: For example, users who have difficulty swiping or shaking a device should be able to perform the same actions in other ways.
Ignoring the new web accessibility requirements can have serious consequences for both businesses and organizations. These are not only legal in nature but can also impact your bottom line, reputation, and ability to compete in the market.
At MCB, you’ll find experts ready to help you achieve full web accessibility compliance.
Based on the WCAG 2.1 guidelines, we review your site and prepare a report. This report will highlight areas that need improvement to comply with the current regulations. It will also include suggestions on how to optimize and edit your website effectively.
If you are unable to implement the changes yourself or prefer to allocate your resources elsewhere, we are happy to assist you.
Afterward, you should create an accessibility statement. Consider adding it to your footer alongside links like your ‘Privacy Policy’ to ensure it’s easy for users to find.