UK Accessibility Laws: The Post-Brexit Landscape
The rules have diverged. Public bodies face strict enforcement, while private businesses must navigate the Equality Act (2010). And if you sell to consumers in the European Union, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) still applies.
The "Two Laws" (Public vs. Private)
Post-Brexit, UK accessibility law operates on two distinct tracks: strict regulations for public bodies, and case-law-driven requirements for private businesses.
Public Sector (The Hard Regs)
Law: Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
The Mandate: Strict compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA.
The Deadline: Passed. Enforcement is active via the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO).
Requirement: You must publish a specific accessibility statement.
Private Sector (The Equality Act)
Law: Equality Act 2010.
The Mandate: You must make "reasonable adjustments" to ensure services are accessible to disabled users.
The Risk: While there is no specific "web deadline," failure to make adjustments is unlawful discrimination.
Do You Sell to the EU?
Many UK businesses erroneously believe Brexit exempts them from the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
The Reality: If you sell products or services into the EU market, you must comply with the EAA.
The Link: Read our EAA Survival Guide to check your export liability.
UK Laws Explicitly Cover Mobile Apps
The 2018 Regulations were updated specifically to bring mobile applications into scope as of June 2021.
The Risk: The Government Digital Service (GDS) actively audits public sector apps. For the private sector, apps are often the primary target for discrimination claims because they are harder to use with assistive tech than websites.
Tech Note: "Compliance requires testing with VoiceOver (iOS) and TalkBack (Android), not just automated web scanners."
The Solution: Accessibility Statements
Required by Law for Public Sector
If you are a public body (or funded by one), a compliant Accessibility Statement is mandatory. For private companies, it is your primary defense against Equality Act claims.
Generate UK-Compliant StatementImplementation Roadmap
Step 1: Check your Market (UK only vs. EU Export)
Determine whether you sell exclusively within the UK or also export to the EU. If you export, the EAA applies regardless of Brexit.
Step 2: The "Reasonable Adjustment" Audit
Fix barriers that prevent access. For public bodies, this means full WCAG 2.1 AA compliance. For private businesses, focus on removing barriers in your most critical user journeys first.
The Business Upside:
Accessibility improves usability for everyone, not just disabled users. If you are looking to attract and retain more customers, we recommend aligning to WCAG 2.1 AA as a quality standard. Better accessibility often leads to higher conversion rates and better SEO.
Step 3: Publish your Statement
Define your roadmap to transparency. Beyond compliance, an Accessibility Statement is a critical trust signal. Many disabled users check for this document before downloading an app or starting a purchase to ensure they won't be blocked at the final hurdle. Use it to set expectations and invite feedback.
Don't Guess on Compliance
Whether it's the Equality Act or the EAA, documentation is your first step.
Sign up to Generate Free Statement