The verdict in three sentences
The European Accessibility Act (applicable since 28 June 2025) and WCAG 2.1 level AA no longer concern only the public sector: many B2B players are now in scope. Building accessibility in from the start costs 8 to 12% of the project budget; treating it after launch costs two to three times more. Beyond the penalty risk (up to 50,000 EUR), an accessible site widens your audience and improves SEO.
Who is concerned and what the law requires
WCAG 2.1 level AA is the benchmark, mirrored in France by RGAA 4.1. Compliance rests on 106 criteria and mandates formal deliverables.
| Element | 2026 requirement |
|---|---|
| Applicable standard | WCAG 2.1 AA / RGAA 4.1 |
| Number of criteria | 106 |
| Required level | AA (double A) |
| Target conformance rate | 100% (declaration if partial) |
| Accessibility statement | Mandatory, online |
| Multi-year plan | Mandatory for in-scope entities |
| Non-declaration penalty | Up to 50,000 EUR (France) |
| European framework | European Accessibility Act (28/06/2025) |
Criteria cover colour contrast, keyboard navigation, text alternatives, heading structure, labelled forms and screen-reader compatibility. A modern B2B site often fails on contrast, forms and interactive components.
What compliance costs in 2026
Two distinct items: the audit (diagnosis) and remediation (fixes). Cost depends on page volume and component complexity.
| Service | Brochure site (8-15 pages) | Complex site (30+ pages) |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility audit | 2,500-4,000 EUR | 4,000-6,000 EUR |
| Remediation | 4,000-8,000 EUR | 8,000-15,000 EUR |
| Accessibility built up front | +8-12% of budget | +8-12% of budget |
| Post-launch retrofit | 2x to 3x vs up front | 2x to 3x vs up front |
| Statement + multi-year plan | 800-1,500 EUR | 1,500-3,000 EUR |
| Editorial team training | 900-1,800 EUR | 900-1,800 EUR |
The message is clear: designing accessible from the start (+8-12%) is far cheaper than fixing afterwards (2-3x factor). It is a scheduling trade-off as much as a budget one.
Mini case study
Nadia, compliance lead at an industrial mid-cap in Dublin, must bring her B2B site to WCAG 2.1 AA. Quote received: audit 3,500 EUR + remediation 9,000 EUR = 12,500 EUR post-launch. Had she built accessibility into the planned redesign (budget 40,000 EUR), the surcharge would have been ~10%, i.e. 4,000 EUR. She decides to couple accessibility with the redesign: a saving of ~8,500 EUR, and she avoids any penalty risk by publishing her accessibility statement on time.
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FAQ
Is my B2B site really in scope of the EAA?
The European Accessibility Act, applicable since 28 June 2025, widens scope beyond the public sector. Depending on your activity, your digital services may be covered: have your situation assessed before concluding you are out of scope.
How much does an accessibility audit cost in 2026?
Between 2,500 and 6,000 EUR depending on page count and component complexity. The audit produces a report per WCAG criterion and a prioritised fix list.
Is it better to build accessibility in up front or fix later?
Up front, always: the surcharge is 8 to 12% of the project budget, versus a 2-3x factor for post-launch remediation. Designing accessible avoids reworking design, code and content.
What penalties apply for non-compliance?
In France, a missing accessibility statement can be penalised up to 50,000 EUR. Beyond the fine, the risk is reputational and commercial in B2B tenders.
Does accessibility help SEO?
Yes. Clean heading structure, text alternatives, contrast and keyboard navigation overlap with SEO best practice. An accessible site is better indexed and performs better on mobile.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your page count and whether you're planning a redesign: we'll quote WCAG audit, remediation and statement, with the built-in accessibility option up front. 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.
