The European Accessibility Act (EAA) may be an EU regulation, but its impact reaches far beyond Europe. If your offerings are used, sold, or supported in the EU, the EAA may directly impact your business, even if you’re based in India, Australia, Singapore, or elsewhere.
Many APAC organizations are already feeling pressure to meet the rising expectations of EU partners who want accessible solutions. For all organizations across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, the EAA serves as an early indicator of where global digital accessibility compliance is headed. To remain competitive and in alignment with international standards, proactive companies should prioritize EAA compliance now.
In this post, we’ll explore how and where the EAA applies, as well as what APAC-based businesses need to know about compliance and the changing expectations of customers, collaborators, and regulators. We’ll also closely examine the benefits and risks and provide you with three steps you can take right now to ensure your business is well-positioned for this new era of digital accessibility.
Where does the EAA apply?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a landmark directive aimed at improving accessibility for people with disabilities across EU member states. It establishes a unified set of accessibility standards that must be met by June 28, 2025.
Critically, the EAA doesn’t just apply to companies based in the EU—it applies to any product or service sold into the EU market, regardless of where the business is based. That means organizations in APAC—whether they’re software vendors, hardware manufacturers, or service providers—may be directly impacted if their offerings reach EU consumers.
The directive covers a broad range of digital and physical touchpoints, including:
- E-commerce websites and mobile apps
- ATMs and payment terminals
- Banking services
- Transport ticketing systems
- E-readers and communication devices
By establishing clear accessibility standards for a wide range of products and services, the EAA strengthens the role of digital accessibility in how businesses operate and compete, both within the EU and for organizations conducting business there.
Why the EAA matters to APAC organizations
When it comes to the EAA’s potential impact on the APAC region, there are three primary issues to consider.
Selling into the EU requires EAA compliance
If your business is based in APAC, but you’re selling digital products and services into the EU—directly or through partners—then you likely have legal obligations under the EAA. This includes software vendors, IT providers, and hardware manufacturers. On the service side, the EAA covers everything from streaming and e-commerce to banking and passenger transport. As to products, the EAA covers media players, self-service terminals, e-books, e-readers, reader software, and more.
Compliance is becoming a prerequisite for doing business
EU-based clients and partners are increasingly requiring proof of accessibility as part of their procurement processes. Vendors must meet global accessibility standards to win or retain contracts, particularly in regulated sectors such as finance, transportation, and retail.
The EAA is a foundation for future accessibility regulations
Just as GDPR set a global benchmark for data privacy, the EAA is rapidly emerging as a reference point for digital accessibility regulations worldwide. Several APAC countries, including Australia, Japan, and Singapore, are already actively considering or developing legislation inspired by the EAA’s framework.
For APAC organizations, early alignment with EAA standards not only ensures smoother market access to the EU but also positions them ahead of regional regulatory shifts.
Compliance vs. non-compliance: Benefits and risks
The EAA represents a straightforward choice for organizations: Comply with digital accessibility requirements now and experience a range of benefits, or put off compliance and invite substantial business risk. Your approach can impact your business outcomes in significant ways:
Market access vs. market loss
Meeting EAA accessibility standards means your products can be sold and used by millions of consumers across the European Union, vastly expanding your market reach. Non-compliance, on the other hand, could lead to fines and even being barred from operating in one of the world’s largest markets.
Reputational opportunity vs. reputational risk
Being accessible positions your brand as a leader in inclusion, innovation, and social responsibility. It also signals your focus on customer experience. Failure to comply with digital accessibility expectations can damage your brand and leave you seeming out of step with global values.
Customer loyalty vs. customer churn
Inclusive digital experiences drive overall satisfaction as well as customer acquisition and retention. Neglecting digital accessibility can result in poor user experiences, customer dissatisfaction, and missed business opportunities.
Three steps APAC organizations can take right now to align with the EAA
For APAC organizations looking to align with the EAA and stay competitive in global markets, here are three practical steps to get started:
- Commit to conforming with EN 301 549
The EAA references the EN 301 549 accessibility standard, which closely aligns with WCAG 2.1 AA. Proactively adopting this standard across your digital products aligns your organization with international benchmarks and puts you on the right path for both EAA compliance and broader digital inclusion. - Shift digital accessibility left in your development process
“Shift left” refers to addressing digital accessibility early in your design, development, and QA workflows rather than waiting until later stages when fixes become time-consuming and expensive. By embedding digital accessibility from the start, you save time and money while ensuring your products and services meet EAA requirements. Early integration also fosters better user experiences by identifying and addressing barriers before they impact usability for your customers. - Invest in role-specific accessibility training
Implement role-based digital accessibility training for your designers, developers, testers, and content creators. Everyone has a role to play in digital accessibility, but those roles require different tools and skill sets. For example, designers can learn accessible design principles, developers can master coding for accessibility, and testers can focus on evaluating compliance with standards like the EAA. This targeted approach ensures that everyone understands their role in creating accessible products and integrating accessibility into your organization’s culture.
Choose Deque for digital accessibility
At Deque, we partner with organizations across the APAC region to navigate the evolving landscape of digital accessibility compliance, with a focus on aligning with the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Our tailored solutions combine deep expertise, automated testing, and role-specific training to help you meet EAA requirements in a manner that aligns with your unique business context.
Whether you’re just beginning your accessibility journey or expanding existing programs, we can help you:
- Understand and manage your EAA compliance risks
- Align your digital products and services with EU and global accessibility standards
- Build inclusive experiences that open doors to the EU market and beyond
For APAC organizations selling products and services into the EU, aligning with the EAA is now essential to maintain market access and meet evolving accessibility expectations. Preparing your products and services today helps ensure your business can continue to operate smoothly in the EU digital marketplace.
Explore how Deque can support your EAA readiness and long-term accessibility strategy. Schedule a free consultation call with our experts today!
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