Why New Accessibility Laws Will Impact Every Webflow Site

What Accessibility Laws Are Changing?

One of the most significant legal frameworks taking effect is the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which came into force on June 28, 2025. The EAA requires digital products and services  including websites  to meet minimum accessibility standards. This applies to any organization offering digital services within the EU regardless of where the company is based. If you serve customers or clients in the EU, your Webflow site must comply. Politika Online+1

Similarly, many countries have adopted or strengthened local accessibility laws that align with global standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). For example, EU member states have transposed directives into national law that require public sector sites to comply with accessibility standards  and increasingly private sector websites too. socijalnoukljucivanje.gov.rs

Who Must Comply?

Legally, every business with a website accessible to the public can be affected  even if the organization doesn’t have a local office in the EU. The key factor is market reach and audience. If you target or serve EU residents with your products, services, or information, accessibility laws apply. Politika Online

That means many Webflow sites  from startups and freelancers to international companies  need to take accessibility seriously now.

What Accessibility Standards Are Required?

Most laws reference the WCAG standard, typically Level AA. This includes requirements like:

• Providing alternative text for images
• Ensuring keyboard navigation works everywhere
• Using sufficient contrast ratios for readable text
• Structuring content semantically (proper headings, lists, etc.)

Although technical specifics vary, WCAG 2.1 AA (and upcoming WCAG 2.2) remains the baseline for compliance in many regions. TechRadar

Why Webflow Sites Are Impacted

Webflow is a powerful visual builder, but accessibility must be intentionally implemented  it doesn’t happen by default. Without accessibility planning, a Webflow site may inadvertently violate standards, even if it looks great visually. Common issues include:

• Missing alternative text on images
• Interactive elements not keyboard accessible
• Poor color contrast
• Dynamic content not announced to screen readers

These problems aren’t unique to Webflow  but failing to address them could lead to legal exposure, especially for businesses targeting international markets.

Legal & Business Risks of Non-Compliance

Non-compliance isn’t just about ethics  it carries real legal consequences:

• Government enforcement and regulatory penalties
• Fines or restrictions on digital services
• Mandatory accessibility audits and remediation orders

In the U.S., lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have already targeted non-accessible websites, often resulting in settlements or costly redesigns. And under the EAA, enforcement mechanisms are increasing in EU jurisdictions. Reddit+1

Even if enforcement is gradual, the legal landscape is clear: accessibility must be part of your compliance checklist.

Why Accessibility Is Also a Business Opportunity

While laws mandate accessibility, the benefits go beyond compliance:

• Wider audience reach  inclusive design welcomes users with disabilities
• Better SEO and usability accessible sites tend to perform better in search and user engagement
• Stronger brand reputation  showing commitment to inclusivity builds trust

Businesses that proactively address accessibility often see improvements in conversion, retention, and overall digital quality.

Next Steps for Webflow Teams

To prepare your Webflow site for accessibility laws:

1. Conduct an accessibility audit  both automated tools and manual testing help identify gaps
2. Adopt WCAG standards  start with Level AA as a baseline
3. Design accessibly from the start  think about keyboard navigation, alt text, color contrast, and semantic structure
4. Use Webflow features like ARIA labels, proper HTML elements, and focus states to build accessible components
5. Monitor and update continuously  accessibility isn’t a one-time task

New accessibility laws like the European Accessibility Act are transforming how digital products must be built and maintained. For Webflow sites  from personal portfolios to enterprise platforms  this means accessibility isn’t optional anymore. It’s a legal requirement, a UX priority, and a strategic advantage.