Since 2021, Nationale-Nederlanden has been using Textmetrics software to make all content clear, inclusive, and legally accessible. What began as a small-scale pilot has now grown into an organization-wide approach supported by dozens of teams.
The challenge
With dozens of colleagues across the organization creating content, there was a growing need for more consistency in writing style, readability, and accessibility. In 2021, Nationale-Nederlanden started using Textmetrics to improve content quality and make texts more accessible. With the upcoming European Accessibility Act (EAA) legislation, which takes effect in June 2025, they are expanding the use of Textmetrics even further. For content, Textmetrics now serves as the benchmark for digital accessibility. Of course, a manual review is still necessary to fully meet all requirements, as not everything can be automatically measured.
The approach
In 2021, Nationale-Nederlanden launched a three-month pilot. During this pilot, it quickly became clear what Textmetrics software could offer:
- 30% of external content was rewritten to B1 level
- Texts became measurably more readable and consistent
- Writers received real-time feedback on reading level, tone of voice, and style
This rapid improvement provided the confidence to roll out the approach more broadly across the organization.
The results so far
- From 30% rewritten texts in 2021 to nearly 100% in 2025
- Structural use of baseline measurements and reports to monitor progress; in 2025, Power BI will also be linked to generate these reports
- Integration with existing workflows via browser extension, with the MS Word add-on planned for 2025
- Concrete preparation for the legal accessibility requirements of June 2025 (EAA)
Nationale-Nederlanden has now implemented Textmetrics on a large scale, with a growing number of active users across marketing, communication, and content teams. What started with a small group of content specialists has evolved into a widely adopted solution that can easily scale as use expands. As of June 28, 2025, all external digital content must legally comply with the EAA. Nationale-Nederlanden is proactively working towards this goal, aiming to have 100% of their content written in plain language by that date.
Why this example is convincing
Nationale-Nederlanden shows that a large organization with a decentralized content approach can still centrally manage quality and accessibility. With clear metrics, a smart strategy, and engaged teams, they prove that reaching 100% B1 level is achievable – and that it works.