For event agencies, marketing/HR and the public agencies

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) 2025: What You Need to Know About Captioning, Subtitling and Accessibility Requirements

Celine
23/02/2024

It’s happening: the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is coming! Starting June 28, 2025 , clear EU-wide rules for accessibility will take effect, impacting your videos, streams, and content. Sounds complicated? Don’t worry – VIDEO.TAXI has broken down everything you need to know so you’re fully prepared.

What Is the EAA?

The EAA is an EU law aimed at ensuring products and services are accessible to everyone—including people with diverse needs. Its primary focus is on digital content and audiovisual media, making accessibility a must-have rather than a nice-to-have..

The law refers to the harmonized European standard EN 301 549, which outlines around 100 specific requirements for accessible websites and digital content. These include things like sufficient color contrast, keyboard navigability for all elements, and alternative text for images. Videos must not autoplay and need subtitles, and sometimes audio descriptions too.

 

Why is this important to you?

  • Reach a bigger audience: Accessibility broadens your potential viewership.
  • Avoid penalties: Miss the June 2025 compliance deadline, and you could face fines of up to €100,000 or even be banned from the market.
  • Tap into new opportunities: The population is aging, and accessible services help you maintain access to this key demographic.

 

Key Areas of the EAA

The EAA covers a wide range of areas, including:

  • Websites and Apps: All digital platforms must follow WCAG 2.1 standards, ensuring content is easy to navigate, understand, and interact with.
  • Video and Streaming: Subtitles are mandatory, and audio descriptions are required when they help clarify content.
  • Assistive Technologies: Your content needs to work seamlessly with tools like screen readers.
  • E-commerce : Online shops must be accessible, and products like smart TVs and smartphones need to comply too.


Subtitles and Captions: The Cornerstone of Accessibility for Media

If you’re producing video content, subtitles and captions are non-negotiable. Here’s what the EAA demands:

  • Subtitles: They must be toggleable and adjustable in size and position.
  • Audio descriptions : Not always required, but necessary if visual elements communicate essential information that would otherwise be unclear.
  • Video players These need to support subtitle and audio description features. Some players may also offer the option to pause videos while playing audio descriptions.

 

What Does This Mean for You?

Yes, there are some challenges, but there are also plenty of opportunities:

  1. Upgrade your tech: You’ll likely need new tools or software, but this can also streamline your workflows.
  2. Expand your audience: Accessible content isn’t just about compliance—it’s about connecting with more people, including those you might not have reached before.
  3. Start now: Preparing early means fewer headaches down the road.

 

How to Get Compliant

Here are a few steps to take now:

  1. Audit your content : Assess how accessible your content currently is and identify gaps.
  2. Create a game plan: Develop a step-by-step strategy with clear timelines and milestones.
  3. Leverage the right tools: Platforms like VIDEO.TAXI make it easy to add real-time subtitles and translations.
  1. Bring in the experts : Consult professionals to tackle the more complex requirements.

 

The Cost of Doing Nothing

Ignoring the EAA is risky and could lead to serious consequences:

  • Hefty fines : Penalties can reach up to €100,000.
  • Market bans: Non-compliant products or services may be pulled from the EU market.
  • Reporting rights : Advocacy groups or competitors can report violations, and authorities will be obligated to investigate.

 

Why accessibility is a must

Accessibility ensures that everyone can independently use digital services. It prevents people with special needs from being excluded.
For example , deaf individuals can only fully understand videos if they include subtitles that clearly convey spoken content and important sounds.

Accessibility is also a smart business move. An aging population often faces motor or sensory limitationsbut still represents a significant market segment. Ignoring accessibility risks losing these valuable customers.

 

The Bottom Line: Don’t Wait to Act

The EAA is coming fast, and the time to prepare is now. Take this time to prepare and reap the benefits of accessible content .


Have questions?
At VIDEO.TAXI , we’re here to help you break down barriers and make your content accessible to everyone.

Contact us today to learn how we can support your journey to accessibility!

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