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On 28 June 2025 the European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882) will enter into force, a regulation that not only establishes technical requirements but also linguistic and cultural requirements to ensure that all people with or without disabilities can access and understand digital information.
At ATLS, as a translation and language technology agency, we have taken the lead by adapting our style guides, our workflows and our services to comply with this legislation in a rigorous and proactive way. This article details how we are doing it, what the law involves for our customers and why accessibility is much more than a legal obligation: It is a social responsibility and a competitive advantage.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
Directive 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishes accessibility requirements for certain products and services that are essential in the daily lives of people. Its aim is to ensure equal access, especially for people with visual, auditory, cognitive or motor disabilities.
The services concerned include:
- Websites and mobile apps
- E-commerce
- Digital banking services
- Transport platforms
- Audiovisual media
From June 2025, all these services must meet functional accessibility requirements, both at the technical level (compatibility with screen readers, keyboard navigation, etc.) and at content level.
Language requirements: Language as a barrier
The law is not limited to design or technology issues. The text and its understanding are also essential. Therefore, one of the central themes of adaptation is the use of a clear, direct, legible and understandable language, which at ATLS we have formalized through a B2 style guide, based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
What does B2 mean?
Level B2 is characterised by:
- Use of simple sentences and clear syntactic structures
- Short paragraphs (3-4 lines)
- Daily vocabulary, avoiding technicalities or unnecessary jargon
- Neutral, professional and close tone
- Logical order in the presentation of ideas (introduction → development → conclusion)
This approach not only improves the general understanding of the text, but also facilitates reading by people with dyslexia, cognitive difficulties or low levels of digital literacy.
Visual structure and accessibility
Accessible content is not limited to words. The structure is also key. Our style guide incorporates principles of accessible design such as:
- Use of hierarchical headers (H1, H2, H3) that facilitate browsing with screen readers
- Incorporation of lists and bullets to organize the information
- Presentation of an idea per paragraph, to promote scanned reading
- Inclusion of alternative texts (alt attributes, aria-label, etc.) for images, graphics and visual elements
Cultural localisation: Beyond translating
Adaptation also involves a correct location. This involves:
- Adapt date, currency and unit formats to the target language and culture
- Respect the reading order (from left to right or right to left)
- Eliminate or contextualize non-universal cultural references
It is not just about translating literally, but about making the content truly understandable and relevant for each audience.
ATLS services for the adaptation of the European Accessibility Act
We have structured our service offering into two main blocks:
Adapted text correction
We review existing texts to align them with the requirements of the law. The following is analysed:
- Language clarity
- Absence of jargon or complex structures
- Correct visual structure
- Proper location
- Existence of alternative texts
Adapted translation
Translations from scratch that integrate all accessibility elements from the outset, ensuring that the translated content:
- Maintains the original structure
- It is compatible with assistive technologies
- Includes metadata, alt attributes and other semantic elements
- Follow the B2 style guide
In addition, for each customer, a personalised style guide is prepared, which takes into account their sector, type of content, communication channels and target audience.
Accessibility checklist
At ATLS, we have designed a checklist to ensure that all adapted content meets the accessibility standards:
- Simple and direct sentences
- Short paragraphs
- Absence of specialised jargon
- Appropriate tone for target audience
- Correct header hierarchy
- Translation of alternative texts (alt, aria-label, etc.)
- Coherent visual structure
- Cultural adaptation of the content
- Compatibility with screen readers
Who does the European Accessibility Act affect?
The regulations apply to:
- Audiovisual and digital media
- Companies that offer digital products or services in the European Union
- E-commerce platforms
- Financial institutions
- Transport operators
The only exception is micro-enterprises with turnover of less than 2 million euros a year.
What happens if the European Accessibility Act is not complied with?
Failure to comply with the Accessibility Act may result in:
- Economic sanctions
- Legal claims by users
- Deterioration of the corporate image
- Loss of opportunities in public tenders and tenders
On the other hand, complying with the law means:
- Greater inclusion
- Improving user experience
- Access to new audiences
- Positive reputation as a socially responsible company
A real competitive advantage
Accessibility is no longer just a matter of compliance. It is a competitive advantage. In a digital world, offering clear, accessible and user-adapted content is a key differentiating factor. Brands that invest in accessibility:
- Improve your SEO
- Increase your conversion rates
- They build loyalty among their users
- Access new markets
ATLS adapted to the European Act on Accessibility
At ATLS, we have made accessibility a cross-cutting feature of our services. Whether through translations, adaptations or content development from scratch, we work to ensure that every word, image and digital structure meets the goal of being clear, understandable and accessible to all users.
Our commitment does not end with the entry into force of the law. We will continue to evolve our guides, training and technologies to always be at the forefront of inclusive communication.
If your company needs to adapt to the Accessibility Act, we can help you.
Frequently asked questions about the European Act on Accessibility
What is the European Accessibility Act and when does it come into force?
The European Act on Accessibility (Directive 2019/882) is a European Union regulation that establishes requirements to ensure that digital products and services are accessible to all people, including those with disabilities. It will enter into force on 28 June 2025 and will affect sectors such as e-commerce, digital banking, transport, audiovisual media and mobile apps.
Which companies does the European Accessibility Act affect?
The Act affects all companies that operate in the European Union and offer digital products or services, such as:
Online stores (ecommerce)
Financial institutions and digital banks
Transportation platforms
Mobile applications and websites
Audiovisual media and streaming services
Only micro-enterprises that invoice less than 2 million euros a year .
What are the requirements of the European Act on Accessibility to digital content?
In addition to technical aspects (such as compatibility with screen readers or keyboard browsing), the law requires:
Clear and understandable language (B2 level of the CER)
Accessible visual structure (hierarchical headings, lists, short paragraphs)
Alternative texts for images and visual elements
Cultural localisation , adapting dates, currencies or cultural references In summary: ##44444## ##44444## The content must be read, understood and used by any person, without barriers.
What happens if a company does not comply with the European Accessibility Act?
Non-compliance may have significant consequences:
Economic fines or sanctions
Legal claims by users
Reputational damage
Unadvantages in public tenders
