What is the EAA Act and How Does It Impact Your E-commerce Business?

Many e-commerce businesses aren’t accessible to people with disabilities. With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) coming into force. Making your store accessible isn’t just good practice, it is becoming a legal necessity for business success.

Get to Know the European Accessibility Act for E-commerce

The EAA, coming into effect in June 2025, directly impacts e-commerce businesses operating in the European market. If your online store has 10 or more employees and generates over €2 million in annual turnover, you must comply with these new accessibility requirements. This applies whether your business is based in the EU or simply sells to EU customers.

E-Commerce-Specific EAA Implications

The EAA has specific implications for online stores:

1. Website Accessibility

To make a website accessible, product listings must be screen-reader friendly. Proper keyboard navigation can be done for the shopping cart and checkout processes.

Descriptive alternative text should be added for product images. When displaying price information, it must be visible and accessible. Everyone should be able to filter and search functions easily.

2. Mobile Commerce

In mobile commerce apps must comply with and meet accessibility standards.  Alternative interaction methods like voice commands or gesture recognition can be set up for touch interfaces.

Accessible alternatives can be added to product scanning features. When it comes to mobile, the payment systems should be universally accessible.

3. Customer Service

Users should be able to access support channels easily. Implement chat functions with screen reader compatibility. Keep the contact form able to navigate with the keyboard. Documentation should be available in multiple formats for everyone.

Technical Requirements for E-commerce Sites

To ensure compliance, your e-commerce platform needs:

1. Essential Features

Use ARIA landmarks like digital signposts or labels that help people using screen readers navigate your website. A clear heading structure should be given for the product categories. 

2. Product Pages

The product page can be created with detailed product descriptions for screen readers. Proper colour and size selectors that work without mouse input can be used. The product price, product review, size charts, and product specifications and ratings can be made accessible. 

3. Checkout Process

To make the checkout process easier for everyone, it can be made step-by-step with easy flow. Clear error identification in forms and multiple payment method options can be included.

Confirmation pages should be easily accessible. Checkout steps should be made easy to navigate between them.

The Risks of Non-Compliance with the EAA Act

If your website doesn’t comply with the EAA Act, it could have negative consequences. Let’s take a look at the disadvantages of non-compliance.

1. Financial Consequences

Violating these rules can result in fines of up to €100,000.  Websites that are not accessible will face lost sales. Urgent platform modifications can be done to BFSG compliance with your website. This will help to avoid potential legal expenses.

2. Market Access

Whether you operate within the EU or from another country selling to the EU, you must follow the BSFG guidelines. Improper implementation could result in being blocked from the EU e-commerce market.

This restriction may limit your access to 135 million EU customers and put you at a competitive disadvantage compared to compliant stores. Implementing BSFG on your website helps prevent exclusion from marketplace platforms.

Must Follow Steps to Make Your E-commerce Store EAA Compliant

1. Conduct a website accessibility audit.

Conduct a thorough review of your e-commerce website. Test all shopping functions for accessibility. Analyzing how the mobile shopping experience goes is also necessary.

Evaluate the check-out process to identify issues that hinder the smooth checkout flow.

If required, get the help of experts to conduct an accessibility audit now to understand all the problems that limit BSFG compliance.

2. Technical Implementation

Product page templates should be updated with guidelines for e-commerce accessibility. Checkout flows should be made easy for everyone. Enhancing search and filter functions for accessible navigation patterns. 

3. Content Updates

Add alt text to product images and create accessible product descriptions. Help documentation should be updated regularly for help and to ensure clear pricing information.

4. Implement WCAG 2.1 Guidelines

Ensure your website adheres to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. These guidelines cover a wide range of accessibility issues, from visual impairments to motor 

5. Testing and Validation

User testing can be conducted with disabled users to verify related issues. Screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and mobile accessibility should also be tested.

Advantages of Accessible E-Commerce for Your Business

Making your store accessible offers significant benefits:

1. Market Expansion

This helps to reach more people who were previously unable to make purchases. About a million people have disabilities, and this will help to reach more of them.

2. Better Conversion Rates

An accessible store removes barriers, enabling a smoother shopping experience for all users. This leads to higher sales and improved customer retention.

3. Competitive Advantages

 By prioritizing accessibility, you reduce cart abandonment, enhance customer satisfaction, and improve search engine visibility. This helps to set your business apart from competitors.

Next Steps for Your E-commerce Business

Start by assessing your platform for accessibility gaps, creating a clear compliance roadmap, and allocating the necessary budget for updates.

Introduce features like alt text, accessible navigation, and an optimized checkout to ensure inclusivity across all user interactions. Maintain compliance by conducting regular audits, training your team, and staying updated on accessibility standards to secure your store.

Conclusion

For e-commerce businesses, the EAA isn’t just about compliance. It’s an opportunity to expand your market and improve the shopping experience for all customers. It is time to verify your online store meets these essential accessibility requirements.
Start your EAA compliance journey today with 2Hats Logic Solutions. Our experts ensure your online store is ready for a more inclusive digital commerce future.