In 2025 the new European Accessibility Law or “The European Accessibility Act” (EAA) will come into force, extending its scope beyond public administration web portals to also include electronic commerce platforms.
In this blog post we will provide a complete guide to the new regulations, addressing its impact and scope, its relationship with electronic commerce and answering any questions it may raise.
What is the scope of the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
The new European Accessibility Law will apply to a wide variety of digital products and services. Among the products covered are web portals, mobile devices, television equipment, ATMs, payment terminals, e-books, vending machines, etc.
Regarding services, the law will cover telephony, banking services, electronic commerce, websites, mobile services, information sources related to air, land and maritime transport services and calls to the European emergency number 112, among others.
Does the European Accessibility Act apply to my company?
It is important to understand that it will affect many companies, and it is fundamental to know if your web portal is included. In addition, electronic businesses are the new addition to this list of portals that have to join the initiative due to regulations, so if your portal is an e-commerce, you should be making preparations.
The law is expected to have an impact on companies of all sizes, although exceptions are granted to those with annual revenues of less than €2 million and fewer than 10 employees.
It should be noted that, even if your website has had a previous accessibility verification, if changes have been made or content has been inserted, it is likely that you should pay special care to ensure that these changes continue to keep your accessibility intact, since otherwise you will require an accessibility review to meet the requirements again.
“Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today”
The implementation date is close, specifically you will have to mark the month of June 2025 on your calendar and since preparation to comply with this legislation may require significant time and efforts, if your portal is not yet accessible, you should be working on it.
Business owners are advised to take action now. Don’t wait for the legislation to come into force; Offering an accessible experience on your web portal is not just a matter of complying with current legislation, but rather we are talking about an ethical responsibility in ‘pro’ equality.
Why should you comply with the European Accessibility Law?
Making your website or e-commerce comply with the web accessibility guidelines (WCAG) level AA is not only the right thing to do, but it can also be strategically beneficial in all kinds of aspects.
Businesses with websites (especially accessible e-commerce) typically see a 15% increase in their conversion rate. On the other hand, there will be an increase in the brand’s reputation by demonstrating commitment to equity and inclusion, generating trust among consumers.
Additionally, optimizing your website’s accessibility is directly proportional to your site’s visibility in search engines. All these reasons and many more are enough for you to decide to make the change. Obviously, without forgetting the main reason for this entire movement, the search for an equitable society and equal opportunities for all.
Conclusion
The implementation of the European Accessibility Law in 2025 marks an important milestone towardsequal digital access. More businesses will need to take action now to ensure their websites and online stores are accessible to everyone.
Complying with these regulations not only meets a legal requirement, but will help reach a broader demographic and improve the overall user experience. Don’t underestimate the value of digital accessibility; Act now to build an inclusive and equitable online environment.
