The verdict in three sentences
Since the European Accessibility Act (EAA) took effect in June 2025, any organisation selling online services to EU consumers, including a London trade body with EU members, events or paid training, must make its website accessible. A WCAG 2.2 AA audit on 20 pages costs EUR 3,000 to 6,500 (about GBP 2,600 to 5,600) and remediation EUR 5,000 to 20,000 depending on the site's state. The fine risk, up to EUR 50,000 in France for example, plus lost members with disabilities, far outweighs that budget.
What the EAA and WCAG mean for a trade association
The UK left the EU, but the EAA applies to services offered to EU users, and UK law (Equality Act 2010, Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations) already expects reasonable adjustments. The practical benchmark is WCAG 2.1 AA, mirrored by EN 301 549 and by France's RGAA 4.1 with its 106 criteria. WCAG 2.2 adds 9 criteria (touch target size, accessible authentication, consistent help) that auditors increasingly check in 2026.
| 2026 obligation | Applies if | Indicative cost | Risk if missing |
|---|---|---|---|
| WCAG 2.2 AA audit (20-page sample) | Site with online services | EUR 3,000 to 6,500 | Basis of any defence in an inspection |
| Accessibility statement | Always, dedicated page | Included in audit | Formal notice then fine |
| Multi-year accessibility plan (3 years) | Large or public-interest bodies | EUR 800 to 1,500 | Administrative penalty |
| Compliance status in footer | Always | EUR 0 | Immediate negative signal |
| Accessibility contact mechanism | Always | EUR 300 to 800 | Complaint to regulator |
| Technical remediation | If below full compliance | EUR 5,000 to 20,000 | Fine up to EUR 50,000 |
A partially compliant site (50 to 99%) can stay online provided non-conformities and a dated action plan are documented. Doing nothing at all is the most exposed position.
Remediation cost by starting point
The initial compliance rate drives almost everything. Association websites built before 2020 on generic WordPress themes often score between 30 and 50%.
| Initial compliance rate | Typical fixes | Development days | 2026 remediation budget | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 to 95% | Contrast, image alternatives, labels | 5 to 8 days | EUR 5,000 to 7,000 | 3 weeks |
| 60 to 80% | + keyboard navigation, forms, headings | 9 to 14 days | EUR 7,000 to 11,000 | 5 weeks |
| 40 to 60% | + JS components (menus, modals, carousels) | 15 to 22 days | EUR 11,000 to 16,000 | 7 weeks |
| Below 40% | Theme rebuild, member PDFs, member area | 23 to 30 days | EUR 16,000 to 20,000 | 10 weeks |
| PDF documents (per batch of 50) | Tagging, reading order | 3 to 5 days | EUR 1,500 to 3,000 | 2 weeks |
| Final re-audit | Same sample re-checked | 2 days | EUR 1,500 to 2,500 | 1 week |
Above EUR 20,000 in fixes, a full rebuild becomes worth considering: a new site designed accessible from the mock-up stage costs EUR 18,000 to 35,000 and gives a clean base for five years.
Running the project in four steps
- Initial audit on a representative sample: home, member directory, events, membership form, payment page, member area, legal notice.
- Prioritised fix plan: blocking journeys first (joining, paying), then editorial content.
- Editor training: a half-day at EUR 800 to 1,200 prevents new posts from reintroducing errors.
- Re-audit and publication of the accessibility statement, updated every year.
Mini case study
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Emma, chief executive of a London construction trade association (2,000 members, about EUR 180,000 in dues collected online each year, 30% of members in France and Ireland), commissions an audit: 47% compliance. Total budget: audit EUR 4,800, fixes EUR 13,500, PDFs EUR 2,200, training EUR 1,000, re-audit EUR 1,800, so EUR 23,300. Spread across 2,000 members, that is EUR 11.65 per member, once. Against it sit a potential EUR 50,000 fine and the risk of losing just 1% of members (20 dues at EUR 450, or EUR 9,000 a year). The decision is easy.
FAQ
Does the EAA really apply to a UK association?
It applies to services provided to consumers in the EU, such as online membership or paid courses sold to EU residents. Micro-enterprises under 10 staff and EUR 2 million turnover are exempt for services, which rarely covers a national trade body.
What is the difference between RGAA 4.1 and WCAG 2.2?
RGAA 4.1 turns WCAG 2.1 AA into 106 testable criteria for France. WCAG 2.2 adds 9 criteria; targeting both in 2026 costs about 10% more and anticipates future standards.
Is an accessibility overlay plugin enough?
No, these overlays at EUR 500 to 1,500 a year do not fix the source code and screen reader users often find them disruptive. They cannot deliver an audited compliance rate.
How long does a 20-page audit take?
Allow 6 to 10 working days including the report. It lists each issue, its page, severity and the expected fix.
Must the audit be repeated every year?
The statement should be refreshed at least yearly or after any major change. A lighter control audit costs EUR 1,500 to 3,000.
Let's scope your project. Send us your site URL, page count and online services, and we will price the audit, remediation and a compliance timeline. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
