Small business urged to embrace opportunities offered by European Accessibility Act

New markets, improved customer satisfaction and a sharpened competitive edge are among the benefits small businesses could enjoy by embracing the European Accessibility Act, according to leading commercial law firm, O’Flynn Exhams LLP. Although many small businesses may be exempt from the Act, which sets new minimum accessibility standards for certain products and services across the EU, OFX is calling on SMEs to embrace its advantages this International Day for Persons with Disabilities. Simple measures for digital services include giving users the option to change contrast and text size on their website.

 

The firm is also urging those businesses affected by the Act, which came into effect on the 28th of June 2025, to do a compliance assessment and take remedial steps to address any shortcomings identified. In the event of a judgement of non-compliance with the Act, there is a risk of heavy fines (up to €60,000 in Ireland) and/or possible imprisonment (up to 18 months).

 

Associate Solicitor at OFX, Niamh Carey said: “On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, it’s worth reminding ourselves that the European Accessibility Act is designed to improve the way we live – in this case by making the world a more equitable place. However, like many new pieces of legislation, it also imposes responsibilities that may feel onerous for small businesses in particular. This has been factored into the Act with certain exemptions for microenterprises* but even those businesses not compelled to comply with the Act should consider doing so. Not just because it shows leadership and it is the right thing to do – the standardisation of accessibility requirements introduced by the Act means that any business that complies with the Act in Ireland will also be fully compliant across the EU where more than 22% of the adult population live with a disability, opening up a market in the region of 101 million people. It will also future-proof your digital offering when the time comes to scale your business.”

 

*Service providers that employ fewer than ten people and whose turnover and annual balance sheets do not exceed €2m are classified as microenterprises.