The European Accessibility Act (EAA) requires web shops to be accessible to all from June 28, 2025
Posted: Sun May 25, 2025 9:24 am
The other day I read an article supplied by the Dutch Chamber of Commerce about the following:
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) requires Web shops to be accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, starting June 28, 2025. This means that Web shops must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1, level AA. The EAA sets a minimum standard for accessibility, which means that web shops must be accessible and usable not only for people with disabilities, but also for a wider audience.
What does this mean for web shops?
WCAG 2.1 AA:
Web shops have to comply with the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines, which means that, among other things, they have to meet the principles of accessibility: perceivable, operable, understandable and robust.
Accessibility for all users:
The web shop must be accessible to everyone, regardless of their disability or needs.
Adaptations:
Web shops must be adapted to meet accessibility requirements, for example by providing text alternatives for images, using subtitles and audio descriptions for videos, and providing keyboard navigation.
Monitoring and supervision:
The Consumer and Market Authority (ACM) will monitor compliance with the EAA.
Inclusive experience:
The intention is to create an inclusive user experience for everyone.
Why is this important?
Equity:
It is important to give people with disabilities the same access to online stores as people without disabilities.
Business benefits:
Accessible Web shops are also better for business, for example by reaching a larger market and building a more positive reputation.
Legal obligation:
The EAA is a legal obligation, so Web shops must comply with it.
Conclusion:
The European Accessibility Act has a major impact on Web shops in Europe. As of June 28, 2025, Web shops are required to comply with the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines and make their services accessible to all. This will require adjustments to the webshop, but will also benefit businesses and provide an inclusive experience for all consumers.
I wonder if this will awaken in the Phoenix cart community the call to do something with it.
It has, in my opinion - at a later stage and time - a similar impact as the GDPR. Of course, I am aware that there will be no binding rules and sanctions at this point, and that there will be a bottom limit of 2 million euros of sales. Smaller webshops will be less affected, if at all, by the regulations. Yet I read, as soon as you delve a little deeper, that the search engines will also take this into account. I also think that by tightening relations with the UK and being critical of US tech companies, dirtt will play a bigger role. I am very curious to see if this resonates in our community.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) requires Web shops to be accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, starting June 28, 2025. This means that Web shops must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1, level AA. The EAA sets a minimum standard for accessibility, which means that web shops must be accessible and usable not only for people with disabilities, but also for a wider audience.
What does this mean for web shops?
WCAG 2.1 AA:
Web shops have to comply with the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines, which means that, among other things, they have to meet the principles of accessibility: perceivable, operable, understandable and robust.
Accessibility for all users:
The web shop must be accessible to everyone, regardless of their disability or needs.
Adaptations:
Web shops must be adapted to meet accessibility requirements, for example by providing text alternatives for images, using subtitles and audio descriptions for videos, and providing keyboard navigation.
Monitoring and supervision:
The Consumer and Market Authority (ACM) will monitor compliance with the EAA.
Inclusive experience:
The intention is to create an inclusive user experience for everyone.
Why is this important?
Equity:
It is important to give people with disabilities the same access to online stores as people without disabilities.
Business benefits:
Accessible Web shops are also better for business, for example by reaching a larger market and building a more positive reputation.
Legal obligation:
The EAA is a legal obligation, so Web shops must comply with it.
Conclusion:
The European Accessibility Act has a major impact on Web shops in Europe. As of June 28, 2025, Web shops are required to comply with the WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines and make their services accessible to all. This will require adjustments to the webshop, but will also benefit businesses and provide an inclusive experience for all consumers.
I wonder if this will awaken in the Phoenix cart community the call to do something with it.
It has, in my opinion - at a later stage and time - a similar impact as the GDPR. Of course, I am aware that there will be no binding rules and sanctions at this point, and that there will be a bottom limit of 2 million euros of sales. Smaller webshops will be less affected, if at all, by the regulations. Yet I read, as soon as you delve a little deeper, that the search engines will also take this into account. I also think that by tightening relations with the UK and being critical of US tech companies, dirtt will play a bigger role. I am very curious to see if this resonates in our community.