From 28th June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will become law in Ireland, marking a significant shift in how businesses need to approach the accessibility of their digital services. This legislation is designed to make key products and services – including websites – more accessible for people with disabilities, and it aligns closely with similar initiatives already in place across the UK and EU.
As your local website expert, we’re here to help you understand what this new law means, how it applies to you, and what you might need to do to stay compliant.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act is an EU-wide directive aimed at improving access to digital and physical services for people with disabilities. It covers a range of products and services, including:
Websites and mobile applications
E-commerce platforms
Banking and financial services
E-books and reading devices
Transport services (e.g. ticket machines and travel apps)
The EAA was transposed into Irish law under S.I. No. 636/2023 and will come into force on 28 June 2025.
What Does the Law Say About Websites?
The accessibility requirements for websites are outlined in Schedule 1, Part 3 of the legislation, and they are based on the internationally recognised Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) – the same standards used in UK accessibility law.
In short, this means that websites need to be:
Perceivable – Content must be presented in ways that users can perceive (e.g. images must have alt text).
Operable – Users must be able to navigate and use the website (e.g. via keyboard or screen readers).
Understandable – Content and interfaces should be clear and predictable.
Robust – The website should work well with a variety of devices, browsers, and assistive technologies.
These aren’t just best practices, they are fast becoming legal requirements.
Are All Businesses Affected?
Here’s where it gets important for small businesses: not everyone is subject to these requirements.
The legislation does not apply to “microenterprises”, which are defined as businesses that:
Employ fewer than 10 people
And have an annual turnover or balance sheet total under €2 million
If you’re a small local business, like many of our clients, you may be exempt from the legal requirement to comply.
However, that doesn’t mean accessibility isn’t important.
Why Accessibility Still Matters – Even if You’re Exempt
Even if you’re not legally required to meet the EAA’s standards, there are still plenty of reasons to make your website more accessible:
Reach a Wider Audience
Roughly 1 in 5 people in Ireland live with some form of disability. Making your site easier to use for them can open your business up to a broader market.
Google and other search engines reward websites that are accessible. Good accessibility practices, such as using structured headings, adding alt text, and implementing straightforward navigation, also improve search engine rankings.
3. Enhance User Experience
A website that’s easier to navigate and understand benefits everyone, not just those with impairments.
4. Build Trust
Accessibility shows that your business is inclusive and forward-thinking. It’s a clear sign you care about all your customers.
5. Prepare for the Future
As laws evolve and awareness grows, future legislation may be applied to an increasing number of businesses. Acting now to future-proof your online presence.
What Do You Need to Do?
✅ 1. Check Your Website’s Accessibility
All it’seeze websites are built with best practice accessibility in mind, following the WCAG 2.1 guidelines. However, some aspects rely on client input, such as adding alt text to images or ensuring PDFs are readable.
We provide a comprehensive Accessibility Guide on our help site, and we’re happy to review your current site to identify any key improvements.
✅ 2. Update Your Terms & Conditions (If Applicable)
This is one key difference from UK law. Under the EAA, businesses subject to the regulations must include a statement in their Terms and Conditions explaining how they comply with accessibility standards.
This is something a solicitor would need to help with, but we can provide technical documentation or links to support any legal drafting.
✅ 3. Request an Accessibility Audit
Suppose you're unsure whether your site meets accessibility standards or would like peace of mind, ask. In that case, we're here to help with a review and personalised recommendations. We also offer a Free Website Health Check, in which we audit your website's SEO and give suggestions for improvements.
How it’seeze Websites Support Accessibility
We've always prioritised accessibility, not just because of legal compliance, but because it's the right thing to do. Here's how we help:
Clean, structured code for better compatibility with screen readers
Always responsive design that works across all devices and browsers
Image alt text support (with prompts during upload)
Keyboard navigation support
Colour contrast checks and guidance
Client editing guides to help keep content accessible
And because our websites are professionally built and continuously updated, you benefit from a platform that keeps evolving with new best practices and standards.
How We’re Supporting Irish Businesses
We’re committed to helping businesses across Ireland understand and prepare for the new legislation. Over the coming months, we’ll be:
Sharing client resources on accessibility best practices
Offering free website accessibility health checks
Producing more content on how the EAA affects Irish businesses
Updating clients on changes or updates to legal requirements
Final Thoughts
While many small businesses may not be directly affected by the European Accessibility Act, accessibility is becoming a core part of running a successful business in today’s digital world.
At it’seeze Dublin, we’re here to make accessibility achievable and straightforward so that your website works for everyone, now and in the future.
If you'd like help reviewing your website, updating your content, or understanding the following steps to take, please get in touch. We’re here to help.
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