The Accessibility Directive will come into force on June 28, 2025. This new law aims to make more services and products accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. In this guide, we help you understand the accessibility requirements and what your business needs to consider — let’s dive in!
What is the Accessibility Directive?
The Accessibility Directive, also known as "The law on accessibility of certain services and products," currently applies to the public sector but will, as of next year, also apply to private entities. This Swedish law is part of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and aims to create a uniform standard for accessibility across the EU. This means that companies within the EU must ensure their digital services and products are accessible to all users. Preparing your business for these new requirements is crucial to stay ahead.
Who is affected by the Accessibility Directive?
The directive affects all companies based in the EU or targeting the EU market. However, there are some exceptions. The law does not cover smaller companies with fewer than ten employees or an annual turnover of less than 2 million euros.
If the accessibility requirements involve a significant change to your product or service or cause a disproportionately large financial burden for your company, you may also be exempt. However, it’s important to note that working with accessibility is a good idea regardless, as it’s not just about complying with the law – it also creates a better user experience for your potential customers.
How to make your website more accessible
The website is often the first point of contact your customers have with your business, so it must be accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities. Here are some key points to consider when updating your website to meet the new accessibility requirements:
Follow the WCAG guidelines
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the global standard for web accessibility. By following level AA of WCAG 2.2, you ensure that your website meets the requirements set by the Accessibility Directive and is accessible to as many people as possible.
Clear and simple navigation
The first step is to ensure that your website has a logical and consistent structure where all users can easily find what they want. Avoid complicated menus and cluttered pages that can confuse your visitors and make it easier for them to navigate.
Text and contrast
Use sufficient contrast between text and background to ensure the content is readable, especially for visually impaired people. Follow guidelines for accessible colour combinations and ensure that text can be enlarged without breaking the layout.
Alternatives to images
Always use alt texts for images on your website so that people with visual impairments who use screen readers can understand the image content. Videos should also have subtitles and transcripts to be accessible to those with hearing impairments.
Forms and interactive elements
Ensure that forms on your website are correctly labelled and can be filled out using tools like keyboards and screen readers. Provide clear feedback if fields are filled out incorrectly and ensure instructions are simple for everyone to understand.
Responsive design
Your website should be responsive and work equally well on all devices, from desktops to mobiles and tablets. This ensures that all users, regardless of their device, have a good experience and can access the same information.
Regular testing
Making your site accessible is an ongoing process. Test your website regularly with different tools and user groups to ensure it continues to meet the latest accessibility standards. Involve users with varying types of disabilities to gain insight into how user-friendly your site is.
What happens if you don’t comply with the requirements?
Ignoring the accessibility requirements can be costly. Companies that do not comply with the law may be liable to pay fines ranging from 10,000 to 10 million SEK. In the worst-case scenario, the product or service may be removed from the European market. Ensure your digital services and products comply with the new requirements to avoid these unnecessary costs.
Need help figuring out where to start?
We can help you conduct a thorough accessibility review or build accessible services from the ground up. Contact us to learn more about how we can support your business.
Want to know more? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
