E-Commerce & EAA 2026: Complete Accessibility Requirements for Online Shops

Online shops are particularly affected by the European Accessibility Act (EAA): The entire purchasing process – from product search to order confirmation – must be accessible. Since June 28, 2025, the EAA and its national implementations (like Germany's BFSG) apply to nearly all B2C webshops in the EU^[1]. Violations can result in fines up to €100,000 and lawsuits from competitors. This guide shows exactly what you need to implement.

Is My Online Shop Affected?

The EAA Applies to Your Shop If:

• You sell products or services to consumers (B2C)
• You have more than 10 employees OR
• Your annual revenue exceeds €2 million OR
• Your balance sheet total exceeds €2 million^[2]

Exceptions:

EAA Requirements in Detail

According to the EAA, your online shop must be "findable, accessible, and usable" for people with disabilities – without external assistance and in the commonly expected manner^[4].

The technical standard is WCAG 2.1 Level AA or the European standard EN 301 549.

The 4 WCAG Principles for E-Commerce:

Shop Areas in Focus: What Must Be Accessible?

1. Product Pages

Product pages are often the least optimized pages – yet they're critical for the purchase process^[5].

Requirements:

Common Mistakes:

• 54.5% of e-commerce sites have missing alt texts^[6]
• Color selection using only color swatches without text
• Zoom function not operable via keyboard

2. Shopping Cart

The shopping cart is critical – if it's not accessible, the entire purchase process breaks down^[7].

Requirements:

Code Example for Cart Updates:

<div aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true">
  Cart updated: 3 items, total €89.97
</div>

3. Checkout Process

The checkout is explicitly mentioned in the EAA and must be fully accessible – 69% of shops have problems here^[8].

Step-by-Step Requirements:

Critical Form Requirements:

<!-- Correct: Label linked -->
<label for="email">Email Address *</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email" required
       aria-describedby="email-error">
<span id="email-error" role="alert" aria-live="polite">
  Please enter a valid email address
</span>

<!-- Wrong: No label -->
<input type="email" placeholder="Email">

4. Search and Filters

5. User Accounts

Checking Third-Party Components

Many barriers arise from external services^[9]:

Important: You are responsible for your shop's accessibility – including third-party components!

Accessibility Statement for Online Shops

Every online shop must publish an accessibility statement^[10].

Required content:

• Conformance status (fully / partially / not compliant)
• Known limitations with justification
• Feedback option and contact details
• Date of last review
• Standard used (WCAG 2.1 AA)

Placement: Easily findable, e.g., in footer next to legal notice and privacy policy.

EAA Checklist for Online Shops

Shop Systems and EAA Compliance

Conclusion: No standard shop system is EAA-compliant out of the box. Customizations and testing are always required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my small Etsy/Amazon shop also need to be EAA-compliant?

If you sell on marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy, the marketplace is primarily responsible for accessibility. However, your own product descriptions should still be formulated accessibly (clear language, structured information).

What about B2B shops that also sell to consumers?

As soon as you direct even part of your offering to consumers (B2C), the EAA applies to that part. The cleanest solution: Make the entire shop accessible.

Is there a transition period?

The EAA has been in effect since June 28, 2025. For certain service contracts concluded before this date, a transition period applies until June 27, 2030^[11].

What happens if I violate the requirements?

• Fines up to €100,000
• Competitor lawsuits
• Sales bans in severe cases
• Injunctions from consumer protection organizations

How expensive is the conversion?

Costs depend on current status:

• Audit: €4,000 - €15,000 (depending on shop size)
• Implementation: €5,000 - €30,000 (depending on extent of issues)
• Ongoing monitoring: €1,000 - €3,000/year

Conclusion: Accessibility as Competitive Advantage

The EAA requirements for online shops are extensive but manageable. And they're not just a legal obligation – they're an opportunity:

• Larger target audience: 15% of the population has a disability
• Better SEO: Accessible shops rank better
• Higher conversion: Clear forms and good UX increase completions
• Legal security: Protection against lawsuits and fines

Start now: The sooner you check and adapt your shop for EAA compliance, the better.

Related Articles:

• BFSG Inspections 2026: How German Authorities Check Websites
• How Much Does an Accessibility Audit Cost in 2026?
• How Accessibility Improves SEO: Complete Guide 2026
• Shopify Accessibility: Making Your Store EAA Compliant