The surprising Benefits of the European Accessibility Act for E-Commerce
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) will come to effect on 28 June 2025. While the EAA may seem like another regulation to comply with, it actually provides several benefits, particularly to e-commerce businesses. In this article we explore the advantages of EAA and how it can improve your bottom line.
What is the European Accessibility Act and how it affects E-Commerce
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) aims to remove barriers to participation in society and the economy for people with disabilities by ensuring that they can access the same goods and services as everyone else.
In the case of e-commerce, EAA requires businesses in the European Union to ensure their products and services are accessible to people with disabilities. The Act sets out specific accessibility requirements that products and services must meet, including the provision of alternative formats. This includes making websites, mobile applications, and digital content accessible. Following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) level AA is necessary to achieve compliance.
Companies with fewer than 10 employees are exempt, but it is encouraged to make their products and services accessible. EAA compliance can lead to a larger customer base, improved satisfaction, increased sales, and enhanced brand reputation, demonstrating commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility.
3 Benefits of the European Accessibility Act for E-Commerce Businesses
1. Compliance with Legal Requirements
Yes, compliance with the EAA is mandatory, so primary benefit is meeting legal requirements and reduction of cost. Compliance is crucial to avoid penalties, litigation, and internal expenses. The ADA act in the USA, which has a decade-long advantage, has caused digital accessibility lawsuits to increase by 15%. E-commerce businesses are particularly vulnerable, with settlements ranging from $20,000 to $6 million. A baseline assessment can help identify issues and determine the extent of risk.
2. Market Growth
By improving accessibility through compliance with the EAA, businesses can tap into two areas that can impact their market growth:
- Increased Access: The EAA can expand the market of e-commerce businesses by making digital products and services accessible to an estimated 80 million people in the EU who have disabilities, representing a market segment with a purchasing power of €1.4 trillion.
- Competitive Advantage: EDF’s 2018 survey showed that 71% of people with disabilities stopped using difficult-to-access websites or applications. Prioritizing accessibility could give e-commerce businesses a competitive edge, attracting customers who prioritize accessibility and differentiating them from competitors who do not.
3. Improved SEO
By improving accessibility to EAA standards it indirectly affects the SEO in a positive way! By complying with the EAA standards, you will make your site more user-friendly and easier to navigate for all users. This can lead to a better user experience, which is a factor that search engines like Google consider when ranking websites in search results.
Additionally, as more websites comply with the EAA and become more accessible, it is possible that search engines may prioritize accessible websites in search results to promote equal access to information and services for people with disabilities.
Why you should already act now
Despite the act not being enforced until 2025, companies should begin preparing now to meet compliance standards. The lead time for EAA accessibility accommodates the anticipated difficulty and intricacy of the process. To ensure a smooth implementation, companies should promptly comprehend the EAA requirements, allocate time for staff training, and establish necessary tools and procedures.
In addition, companies will be regarded as progressive and socially responsible entities, while successfully capturing a lucrative market segment.
Infographic: What E-Commerce businesses need to know about the EAA
In our comprehensive infographic we explore the advantages of EAA and how it can improve your bottom line.
Here what your will learn:
- What are accessibility standards and why they are important
- Benefits of complying to the EAA for e-commerce businesses
- The impact of EAA on your website
- Taking the first steps towards EAA compliance
Understanding the Impact of the EAA on your website
Depending on how compliant your website already is, you need to be prepared to make changes to the following:
Backend
- Data Collection: The need to modify data collection and management to allow for accessible presentation on the front end of websites and applications.
- Integration with Assistive Technologies: Collaboration with front-end developers to ensure compatibility with assistive technologies that can aid people in accessing digital content.
Design & Frontend
- Design & Lay-out: A change in design and layout, such as using easy-to-read color contrast and font size, or arrange alternatives for non-text content like images and videos.
- Navigation and Interaction: Accessible navigation includes providing keyboard shortcuts, captions or transcripts for audio and video content, correct labeling on form fields and more.
Content
- Text Content: Ensure text content is easy to understand by avoiding jargon, using plain language, headings, and bullet points.
- Non-Text Content: Provide alternatives for non-text content, such as usage of alt-text to describe images, or captions and transcripts for audio and video content.
- Document accessibility: Ensure accessible document formats like PDFs and Word documents, such as using proper heading structure, alt text for images, and formatting tables.
It is wise to ensure you get a mandate, because without it achieving results is unlikely. Therefore, it is crucial to obtain management’s approval to implement initiatives related to digital accessibility. Also consider a dedicated project or program. This will enable you to allocate sufficient space and capacity within your organization.
What are the costs to implement EAA Standards?
The cost of EAA compliance varies based on the necessary changes. A European Parliament study estimates that the costs for businesses could range from €0 to €49,000 depending on business size and required accessibility level.
Is a certification necessary for the European Accessibility Act?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), that provide a framework for ensuring digital products are accessible. Some certification bodies may offer certification services based on these standards and guidelines, but certification is not mandatory under the EAA.
Taking the first steps towards EAA Compliance
Ensuring that your website is accessible to people with disabilities is not only a legal requirement, but it also demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity and customer satisfaction. The best place to start is to perform an assessment of your website's current accessibility status.
Our team can provide a comprehensive evaluation of your website and recommend key changes to meet the EU Web Accessibility Act requirements. By partnering with us, you can rest assured that your website will not only comply with the legal requirements, but also provide a better user experience for all visitors.
Website Accessibility Review
Find out what website changes need to be made to comply with the EAA. Do not wait until is too late - start your accessibility journey with an audit!
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