Let’s break it down so you know what’s at stake.
Financial penalties
Each EU Member State enforces the EAA through its national legislation, resulting in varying penalties across countries. Here’s what non-compliance could cost you
- One-time fines: Administrative penalties ranging from €5,000 to €20,000 per violation, depending on severity
- Daily fines: Ongoing penalties up to €1,000 per day for unresolved accessibility issues
- Country-specific penalties:
- France: Fines up to €250,000 for non-compliance
- Germany: Penalties reaching €100,000
- Italy: Fines up to €40,000, or up to 5% of annual turnover for certain violations
- Ireland: Fines up to €60,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 18 months for severe non-compliance
Legal consequences
Beyond financial penalties, non-compliance can lead to
- Legal action: Regulators may initiate lawsuits against non-compliant organizations
- Market restrictions: Authorities can prohibit the sale of non-compliant products or services within the EU
- Contractual exclusions:Non-compliance may disqualify businesses from public procurement opportunities
Loss of market access
The stakes are even higher if you’re a non-EU business selling in Europe. Failing to comply could mean losing access to the EU market entirely.
For example, a U.S.-based company could be blocked from selling in the EU if its platform doesn’t meet accessibility standards.
Reputational damage
In today’s digital age, news of non-compliance can spread rapidly, leading to
- Loss of customer trust: Consumers may choose competitors who prioritize accessibility.
- Negative publicity: Media coverage of lawsuits or fines, can tarnish your brand image.
- Employee morale: Staff may feel demotivated working for a company perceived as non-inclusive.
Mitigating the risks
To avoid these consequences:
- Conduct an accessibility audit: Identify and address barriers in your websites, apps, and documents.
- Implement the fixes: Make sure your products and services meet the standards (EN 301 549, WCAG 2.1 AA).
- Train your team: Get everyone on the same page, from developers to content creators.
- Stay on top of it: Accessibility isn’t a one-time fix. Regular testing keeps you compliant and user-friendly.
Silktide can help
Compliance might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Silktide helps you understand where your accessibility issues are, why they matter, and how to fix them—without needing a PhD in web standards.
Whether you’re just getting started or fine-tuning your digital experience ahead of the June 28, 2025 deadline, we’re here to make accessibility easier, faster, and a whole lot more human.
Free accessibility checker in your browser
Our free accessibility checker tests any web page for over 200 WCAG issues, and gives you straightforward, step-by-step guidance on how to improve your web accessibility. Available on Chrome and Edge.
