June 28, 2025 will mark a turning point for online commerce in Europe. The entry into force of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will impose new accessibility standards for e-commerce websites and apps, with the goal of ensuring an inclusive, barrier-free browsing experience for everyone, including people with disabilities.

From that date, all e-commerce websites and platforms operating in the EU market must comply with the accessibility criteria defined by the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
This means companies must adapt their websites to be accessible to people with disabilities, improving the user experience for all.

First, it should be noted that micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees and revenue under €2 million) are, at least initially, exempt.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (fewer than 250 people, with annual turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 43 million) have a safeguard clause, meaning they are not required to comply if the burden is disproportionate.

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The EAA, or Directive (EU) 2019/882, is a European regulation that aims to remove barriers to access for people with disabilities to products and services, both physical and digital. In the context of e-commerce, this translates into the obligation to make websites and apps accessible, following specific technical standards.

What changes for your e-commerce?

Starting June 28, 2025, your online store must:

• Be navigable via keyboard: users must be able to access all features without using a mouse.
• Have alternative text for images: textual descriptions are essential for those using screen readers.
• Ensure adequate color contrast: text must be easily readable on its background.
• Provide subtitles and transcripts for audio and video content.
• Have a clear and consistent site structure: navigation must be intuitive for everyone.
• Accessible forms and payments → checkout, login, and registration forms must be navigable by users with disabilities
• Be compatible with assistive technologies: such as screen readers and voice recognition software.

In Italy, the Agency for Digital Italy (AGID) may receive reports on inaccessible sites and, after verification, send a notice to the site owner with a timeframe for compliance.
If the site is not compliant after that time, penalties may apply.

Why comply with the EAA?

• Inclusion: Make your e-commerce accessible to a wide audience, including the 80 million people with disabilities in the EU.
• Competitive advantage: Demonstrate your social commitment and attract customers who care about accessibility.
• Avoid penalties: Non-compliance with the EAA can lead to fines and penalties.
• Improve usability for everyone: An accessible site is easier to use for anyone, with benefits for SEO and conversions.

Useful sources:
DL 2022/82
Annex to DL 2022/82
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
AccessibleEU of the European Commission

Tools to test your website:
Accessibilitychecker.org

Open2b Commerce Ready and accessibility:

Our Open2b Commerce Ready e-commerce solution is designed to support you on the path to accessibility. We offer features and tools to make your site EAA-compliant, such as:

• Accessible, customizable templates.
• Simplified management of alternative text for images.
• Tools to verify color contrast.
• Support for keyboard navigation.

And the consulting needed to define all additional interventions required, assessed case by case, to reach adequate levels of standards.

In conclusion, the EAA is an opportunity to make your e-commerce more inclusive and competitive. Start adapting your site now. Open2b Commerce Ready is your ideal partner in this path.

Contact us to find out how Open2b Commerce Ready can help you make your e-commerce compliant with the EAA.

The Open2b Commerce Ready e-commerce platform

Open2b Commerce Ready is a complete and reliable e-commerce platform, developed 100% in Italy, able to perfectly match the needs of B2B and B2C customers.

If you are not yet our customers, we invite you to try it and to identify with our support how to use it or customize it best.
Tell us about your e-commerce project and you will receive proposals aligned with your needs.

Choose how to contact us, by phone at +39 0587-696200 or by writing to commerciale@open2b.com