What happens if you don’t comply with the accessibility law?

Starting on 28 June 2025, new legally binding accessibility requirements will apply across the EU in accordance with the European Accessibility Act (EAA). While many are currently focused on the technical aspects of compliance, an equally important question is: what happens if you fail to meet the requirements?

This article outlines the potential consequences of non-compliance, legal, financial, and reputational, as well as the exceptions that may apply.

Who ensures compliance?

Each EU member state designates national enforcement bodies responsible for monitoring compliance with the EAA. These authorities will have extended mandates to cover not only public sector entities but also private actors subject to the new requirements.

This means that the responsible authority will be empowered to:

• Receive complaints from the public about accessibility shortcomings
• Conduct audits and inspections
• Request documentation (e.g., accessibility statements)
• Demand corrective actions
• Impose sanctions

Potential consequences and sanctions

If a company fails to comply with the legal requirements, the following consequences may apply:

1. 1. Compliance Orders

   Authorities can issue binding orders requiring identified issues to be corrected within a specific timeframe.

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3. 2. Reputational damage and negative publicity

   Complaints are often public, and it can quickly become a news story if a bank, e-commerce platform, or transport service is inaccessible to people with functional variations affecting both brand image and customer trust.

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5. 3. Administrative fines

   In serious or repeated cases, enforcement bodies may impose financial penalties. These are not symbolic sums, fines are based on company turnover, severity, and duration of the breach.

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7. 4. Sales bans or product recalls

   For certain products (e.g., terminals, e-readers, ticket machines), lack of accessibility can result in sales bans across the EU market.

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9. 5. Civil liability

   If a person with a disability is unable to use a service and this is deemed discriminatory, national anti-discrimination laws may apply, potentially resulting in compensation claims.

Exceptions and exemption scenarios - when do the rules not apply?

Although the law is far-reaching, there are situations where full compliance may not be required:

1. Microenterprises

   Businesses with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover below €2 million are exempt in many cases. However, this does not apply if they supply products or services to larger companies or the public sector.

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3. Disproportionate burden

   Companies may request exemptions from specific requirements if they can demonstrate that compliance would impose a disproportionate burden relative to their size, resources, or the nature of their services.

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This requires clear documentation showing:

• The specific accessibility issue
• The measures needed to address it
• Why compliance is considered disproportionate
• What alternative solutions have been implemented

It’s not a free pass, it’s a structured way to demonstrate responsibility while justifying deviations based on reasonable grounds.

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2. Legacy products and services

   Products that are no longer being developed or sold and have been replaced by newer versions may in some cases qualify for transitional exemptions.

Business risks beyond the law

Relying on exemptions may buy time, but it’s rarely a sustainable strategy. Accessibility is already a competitive factor. Even if your company avoids immediate penalties, there are other tangible risks:

• Lost tenders – Many public and large private buyers now require accessibility compliance in procurement processes.
• Higher long-term costs – Retrofitting an inaccessible solution later is far more expensive than building it right from the start.
• Decreased competitiveness – Users increasingly expect services to work for everyone. Poor accessibility can lead to lost customers.

Summary

Complying with the accessibility law is not just a legal obligation, it’s a business responsibility. Authorities have clear tools for enforcement, and failing to meet requirements can lead to financial penalties and reputational harm.

Yes, there are exceptions, but they are not a substitute for accessible design. The real risk isn’t just regulatory - it’s excluding people from digital solutions that should be for everyone.

Our accessibility audits highlight exactly where your digital service falls short, and how to fix it to meet legal standards.

Find out more here.