As of June 28, 2025, a new law called the European Accessibility Act (EAA) impacts all businesses that operate there or export to Europe, aimed at ensuring that websites, apps, and digital services are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
If you’re unsure about what this means for your eCommerce business, don’t worry! We’re here to help.
In this article, we will cover:
- What the EAA implies
- Who must comply
- How to be compliant with the law
- How accessiBe can help you make your eCommerce business accessible and inclusive in a simple and convenient way.
What is the EAA and EN 301549?
The European Accessibility Act, adopted by the EU in 2019, mandates that digital products and services be accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. The EAA requires compliance with accessibility standards, primarily guided by EN 301549, developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
Who Must Comply?
The EAA applies to both public and private sectors. While public sector websites and apps are already bound by the Web Accessibility Directive, the EAA extends these requirements to many private businesses for the first time. The main types of products and services affected are:
- Computers and operating systems
- Telephone services and related equipment
- Audiovisual media services
- Passenger transport services
- Banking services
- eCommerce platforms
Microenterprises (those with fewer than 10 employees and less than €2 million in turnover) may be exempt from some service-related requirements, although they still must meet certain accessibility obligations if they manufacture certain products (mainly consumer tech such as smartphones or payment terminals).
Steps to Compliance
Compliance is key to ensure inclusivity, but also to avoid legal issues, brand risk, or losing access to EU markets, as products and services that are exported to Europe must also comply with the law.
The EAA does not require specific technical standards for accessibility, allowing businesses flexibility in how they achieve compliance. However, EN 301549 is expected to be the primary reference point and was built on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, which are crucial for meeting accessibility standards.
Key Guidelines to Follow
To comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA, businesses should ensure:
- Descriptive alt text for images
- Consistent navigation and headings
- Keyboard operability for websites
- Clear identification of form input errors
- Sufficient text contrast
- Text resizing capabilities
- Visible focus indicators for keyboard navigation
- Avoidance of color alone to convey meaning
Additionally, compliance extends to various digital assets, such as PDFs and videos. You can access a detailed EAA compliance guide at accessiBe’s website.
Next Steps for Accessibility Compliance
Accessibility should ideally be kept in mind during each step of the eCommerce process. As we know, this can be overwhelming for some businesses, which is why we’ve partnered with accessiBe to offer a simple yet effective way to comply with accessibility guidelines, offering tools and services that cater to different needs.
Solutions Offered by accessiBe
- accessWidget: This popular tool aids in meeting core WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines through AI-driven testing and remediation, enhancing compatibility with screen readers and keyboard navigation, allowing for people with disabilities to tailor the way they access your website’s content to their needs.
- accessServices: Focused on online content, this service provides targeted testing and remediation for PDFs and videos, ensuring real-world user experiences inform accessibility improvements. This service also supports the creation of localized EU accessibility statements, which are a core part of EAA compliance.
- The Scale Package is recommended for EAA-related accounts, since it includes the accessWidget, along with manual testing, reports, custom remediations, attorney consultations, and a more personalized service.
EAA compliance isn’t an option; it’s a duty. Businesses that are somehow present in the EU must take proactive steps to ensure their digital products and services are accessible to everyone, if they haven’t already.
By understanding the EAA and EN 301549 standards and implementing the necessary guidelines, organizations can promote inclusivity and enhance their digital presence, all while staying away from legal risks. Contact us today to start using accessiBe in your eCommerce business to make your website compliant and inclusive!
