With the entry into force of the European Accessibility Law of 2025, any e-commerce that is not accessible, and, therefore, does not meet the requirements of said regulations, will face harsh sanctions.
Next, we will explore the main penalties and disadvantages that could endanger your economic activity when you have an inaccessible e-commerce.
Can my e-commerce be suspended due to lack of accessibility?
To begin with, and as a notable aspect beyond the economic sanctions, the authorities may impose the suspension of the activity of your website in the event that, after several warnings, you still do not comply with the accessibility requirements required by law.
This implies the temporary prohibition of sales and, in extreme cases, the indefinite closure until the necessary modifications are made.
How much can it cost to have an inaccessible e-commerce?
The regulations are clear for those e-commerce that do not comply with accessibility requirements. These will be sanctioned with fines that will vary depending on the severity of the infraction and the size of the company. But without a doubt, the sanctions will reach any electronic commerce that is not accessible.
Large companies, especially those with more than 100 employees or more than 6 million euros in turnover, will be the most affected, with penalties that could reach tens of thousands of euros for each non-compliance.
Changes may be required under supervision
The situation goes even further, if an e-commerce receives sanctions and persists in non-compliance, the authorities may require it to implement accessibility changes under supervision.
That is, these businesses will be forced to make all the necessary improvements within short deadlines and with constant reviews to verify compliance.
An inaccessible e-commerce will impose barriers to the reach of your business
Furthermore, not adapting to the new regulations will mean that your e-commerce will be left out of a large market made up of all those users who have a disability. We are talking about approximately 20% of the European population.
If we add to this that having an inaccessible e-commerce will clearly limit your opportunities for international expansion within the EU, making the change becomes essential.
Impact on the reputation of an inaccessible e-commerce
The lack of accessibility not only represents a technical barrier, but will also affect the trust of your customers.
Companies that do not invest in web accessibility can damage their image by being perceived as exclusive, dealing a strong blow to the loyalty of their users. This aspect is especially important since efforts in inclusion and social responsibility are increasingly valued. To learn more about the current accessibility guidelines, you can consult WCAG 2.1.
Do you want to know more about the European Accessibility Law of 2025? Visit our Complete Guide.
