Accessibility is no longer just a best practice. It’s becoming a legal requirement. With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) set to take effect on June 28, 2025, businesses operating in the EU must ensure their digital services, including webshops, meet accessibility standards.
For many online retailers, this may feel like another regulatory hurdle, but it’s actually a valuable opportunity. An accessible webshop doesn’t just help you stay compliant, it improves the user experience, expands your customer base, and strengthens your brand’s reputation.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) was introduced to create a more inclusive digital and physical marketplace. It requires certain products and services, including e-commerce websites and mobile applications, to be accessible to people with disabilities. For online stores, this means ensuring that customers of all abilities can browse, search, add to cart, and complete purchases without barriers. The law applies to most businesses operating in the EU, with exceptions for small enterprises. However, even if you’re not legally required to comply, making your webshop accessible is still a smart business decision.
Beyond compliance, an accessible webshop offers several important benefits.
Millions of people in the EU live with disabilities that affect how they use the internet. If your webshop isn’t accessible, you could be missing out on a significant customer base. Improving accessibility makes your store easier to navigate for everyone, including people with temporary impairments or those using different devices.
Many accessibility improvements such as clearer navigation, well-structured content, and easy-to-read text enhance usability for all customers, not just those with disabilities. A well-designed, accessible webshop leads to higher customer satisfaction and increased conversions.
Search engines prioritize websites that offer better structure, clear content, and proper tagging, all of which are key components of web accessibility. By making your site more accessible, you also improve its visibility in search results, helping you attract more organic traffic.
Failing to comply with the EAA could result in penalties, legal challenges, and reputational damage. Proactively addressing accessibility now ensures that your business is prepared for the upcoming requirements, avoiding last-minute stress and potential fines.
An EAA-compliant webshop should include clear and consistent navigation so that customers can browse and complete purchases easily, including those using screen readers or keyboard navigation. Text should be readable with strong contrast, ensuring proper font sizes, spacing, and color contrast for better visibility. Images should include alternative text to provide visually impaired users with descriptions of products and content. Forms and checkout processes should be fully accessible, with clear labels and instructions that work seamlessly with assistive technologies.
At Memo, we make accessibility simple and practical for webshops. We conduct webshop accessibility audits to assess your site, identify accessibility barriers, and provide clear recommendations. Our team helps implement the necessary updates to ensure compliance with EAA standards, making your webshop accessible to all users. We provide expert guidance, staying up to date on the latest accessibility requirements to support your business with best practices and ongoing compliance.
With the EAA deadline approaching, now is the time to assess your webshop’s accessibility and start making improvements. By taking proactive steps today, you can ensure compliance, improve your customers’ experience, and future-proof your business.
Get in touch with Memo today to make sure your webshop is accessible, compliant, and ready for the future.