How the 2025 EU Accessibility Act Will Transform eCommerce
In case you’ve missed it, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is coming into effect on 28th June 2025. This new legislation will require businesses selling in the EU to meet up-to-date accessibility standards that cater to people with disabilities – or else risk legal consequences.
In other words, there’s never been a better time to prune your alt text and brush up on ARIA landmarks. Prioritising accessibility is vital for compliance – but more importantly, it also equips eCommerce businesses with the tools to broaden their brands’ reach and create a better experience for all their customers.
Here’s what eCommerce managers and content creators need to know:
Accessibility Will Be Mandatory for EU Operations
The EAA sets clear expectations for eCommerce businesses. Websites, apps, and digital services must comply with EN 301 549 – a broad accessibility standard that includes WCAG 2.1 Level AA as a requirement for web content but also extends to other areas like assistive technology compatibility and document accessibility. There’s a requirement for features like alt text for images, clear navigation, proper heading structures, and sufficient colour contrast.
Failure to comply could lead to hefty fines and damage to brand reputation. But businesses that get it right won’t just avoid penalties. They’ll also unlock opportunities to attract and retain more customers, including the 69% of shoppers with accessibility needs who currently abandon inaccessible sites.
A New Standard for User Experience
Accessibility improves usability for everyone, not just users with access needs. Clearer designs, better navigation, and more inclusive content will benefit every customer, including older shoppers and mobile-first users.
For content creators, this means prioritising easy-to-read language, descriptive alt text for visuals, and ensuring media has captions or transcripts. For eCommerce managers, it means working closely with developers to conduct accessibility audits and build compliance with the EAA into the design and development process.
Accessibility Is an Untapped Revenue Driver
By addressing accessibility barriers, businesses can tap into an often-overlooked market segment. For UK businesses alone, the estimated annual cost of inaccessible websites is a staggering £17.1 billion in lost revenue. Making accessibility improvements is a smart, ethical business decision that can drive significant growth.
How to Get Ahead of the Curve
Conduct an Audit: Free tools like WAVE or Sa11y can help spot-check individual pages, but for a more comprehensive approach, consider an Ocula sitewide accessibility audit to identify and prioritise fixes at scale.
Prioritise Fixes: Address key areas like navigation, checkout flows, and product descriptions. One common issue is missing or unclear alt text—Ocula can generate descriptive, product-context-aware alt tags, ensuring every image is accessible and SEO-friendly.
Upskill Teams: Train content creators, designers, and developers on accessibility best practices, so compliance becomes second nature rather than an afterthought.
Embed Accessibility in Your Workflow: Make compliance a default part of every design, content, and technical decision, setting your site up for long-term success.
By taking these steps now, businesses can stay ahead of upcoming regulations, improve user experience, and tap into an underserved customer base. Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s a strategic advantage.
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