EAA Compliance Requirements and Best Practices

If you landed here, you're trying to figure out how to meet EAA compliance and what that means for your digital platform. Great. You're in the right place.

Whether you run an online store, SaaS platform, self-service kiosk, or banking app, the rules changed. Thanks to the EAA, you can now build one accessible version of your product that works across all 27 EU countries.

In this article we break down what is EAA compliance, what are the key EAA requirements , and how to get started. If you're building or managing a digital product in the EU, this guide is essential reading.

What Does EAA Stand For?
EAA stands for European Accessibility Act. It is an EU directive (2019/882) that sets out accessibility rules for a wide range of digital products and services. Its main goal is to make sure people with disabilities can access everyday tools without barriers. From banking services to e-commerce platforms.

What makes the EAA especially important for digital businesses is its scope. It covers websites, mobile apps, e-books, online stores, ticketing machines, and self-service kiosks. If your platform operates in the EU, there is the high probability that you will fall under the EAA.

Before the EAA, each country had its own accessibility rules. This made it harder for companies to expand across borders. The EAA changes that by introducing a single, unified standard across all 27 EU member states. So now, compliance is more predictable and scalable for business owners.

Who Does It Apply To?
Any company doing business in the European Union must meet EAA compliance by June 28, 2025. That’s when the directive becomes fully enforceable in all 27 member states.

There are a few exceptions. For example, Micro-enterprises (businesses with fewer than 10 employees and less than €2 million in annual revenue) are mostly exempt.

If your digital product is offered in the EU and isn’t a micro-enterprise, you need to make it accessible.

What Fines and Penalties Can You Face?
Failing to meet EAA compliance can cost you.

National authorities across the EU will monitor compliance through complaints and market surveillance. If your digital product or service doesn’t meet the required standards, you could face consequences, including:

Fines from €5,000 to €20,000 per violation, and up to €3 million, depending on the country
Orders to withdraw or stop selling your product or service
Suspension of operations within the EU market

Whether you're an EU-based company or an international business selling into the EU, the risks are the same. For digital platforms, ecommerce websites and marketplaces the safest move is to make accessibility a priority now, not a legal fix later.

The State of Website Accessibility in 2025
94.8% of home pages had detected WCAG failures
Low contrast text was found on 81% of evaluated Home Pages
88% of evaluated websites are still not fully compliant with the latest accessibility standards
18.5% of all home page images (11 per page on average) had missing alternative text (not counting alt="")

What Are the EAA Requirements and Standards?

Unlike some laws that define technical rules, the EAA is outcome-based. It doesn’t define exact methods, but simply requires that products and services be accessible to people with disabilities.

In practice, there is a clear benchmark, which is the EN 301 549 standard. It applies to all information and communication technologies (ICT), including websites, software, mobile apps, and self-service terminals.

EN 301 549 aligns with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

To meet EAA requirements, your digital services should conform to WCAG 2.2 Level AA, which includes:

These guidelines apply to both websites and mobile apps. If your platform includes dynamic content, proper use of ARIA roles, labels, and states is essential to make components like pop-ups, carousels, or modals accessible.

National laws implementing the EAA often require broader actions, including:

Meeting EAA compliance requires embedding accessibility into your design and development process. Especially for e-commerce platforms, apps, and marketplaces.

These best practices are aligned with WCAG 2.2 Level AA and help ensure that your platform works for everyone.
Design your layout so it's easy to see and navigate. Make sure it works whether someone uses a mouse, keyboard, or assistive technology.

Key actions:

The structure of your site, how content is categorized and marked up, matters as much as the visual design.
Every piece of non-text content needs a meaningful alternative. For example:

This ensures that blind, deaf, or low-vision users can still get the full product experience.
Forms and payment steps are common failure points. To stay EAA compliant, make sure:

Group related options logically (like shipping methods), and make reviewing the order easy before final submission.
The EAA requires giving users a way to report problems or ask for help. Your site should include:

This shows users that accessibility is a real commitment.

If you offer a native mobile app or a responsive site, mobile experiences must be just as accessible. Best practices include:

Follow the same WCAG principles used for desktop, but test them on real devices and assistive tech.

Global giants like and have long prioritized accessibility. Back in 2000, Amazon was recognized for its accessible website, one of the few among major online retailers at the time. Today, both companies have dedicated accessibility teams and are ensuring full EAA compliance across their EU sites.

Tesco’s online grocery store in the UK took a step forward. worked with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to redesign its website. Together they improved navigation, alt text, and overall usability for blind and visually impaired users. Tesco saw a after implementing accessibility improvements.

Many and stores achieve WCAG 2.x AA compliance by using accessible themes and plugins. Shopify, for example, offers accessibility guidelines for theme developers.

A 2024 study found that 11% of sampled Shopify-based sites were fully compliant. This was a "success" compared to other platforms.

Even well-intentioned e-commerce platforms often fall short on accessibility. These common mistakes can block users, hurt sales, and put you at risk of EAA non-compliance.

Here’s what to watch out for:
1. Low contrast text and UI elements
Poor color contrast is the most frequent accessibility failure online. Light gray text on a white background may look sleek, but it’s unreadable for users with low vision or color blindness.

To stay compliant, make sure all text, buttons, and key elements meet the WCAG minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text. This includes menus, product details, and calls to action.
2. Missing alt text on images
Product images without alt text are a major barrier for screen reader users. Without it, they’ll hear “image” or a file name. No clue what the item is.

How to fix it:

Add meaningful alt text to all informative images
Use alt="" only for purely decorative visuals
Include written summaries for videos or 360° views when needed

Descriptive text helps blind users shop and supports EAA compliance.
3. Poor navigation and missing structure
Many online stores use mega-menus, filters, and modals that aren’t coded for assistive tech. Missing landmarks (<nav>, <main>, etc.) and headings make it hard for screen reader users to navigate.

There is one common mistake. Dropdown menus that open only on mouse hover. If a keyboard user can’t access them, they can’t shop.

Use semantic HTML. Add skip links. Test your entire navigation with Tab and Enter. If you get lost, so will your users.
4. Unlabeled or mislabeled form elements
Every field on the website needs a visible and programmatic label, from search bars to checkout forms. Placeholder text alone isn’t enough, it disappears once users type.

Where is the problem:

Buttons with no accessible name (e.g., “Button” instead of “Apply Coupon”)
Form inputs with no associated label or aria-label
Modals or expandable sections that don’t announce their state
These issues confuse screen reader users and violate both WCAG and EAA requirements.
5. Keyboard traps and unfriendly controls
Some users can’t use a mouse at all. They rely on keyboards or switch devices to move through a page.

Keyboard traps—like popups that steal focus or don’t let users exit—make your site unusable. So do controls that work only with a mouse, like sliders or quick-view buttons.

To avoid this:

Test your platform with only a keyboard
Ensure every control works with Enter or Space
Maintain a visible focus indicator at all times

6. Inaccessible CAPTCHA or verification steps

E-commerce platforms must conduct a thorough accessibility audit to meet EAA compliance. Start by testing your site or app against criteria, which form the basis of EN 301 549.

Use both automated tools (like axe or WAVE) and manual expert reviews. Automated scans help catch obvious issues like missing alt text or contrast failures. However, real accessibility requires human testing. Especially for screen reader navigation, keyboard access, and focus behavior.

If possible, involve users with disabilities in testing to uncover real-world usability barriers. Their feedback often reveals problems no tool can detect.

Beyond the interface, audit your processes too.

Creat an Accessibility Statement, verify your PDFs and mobile apps are accessible, and document your findings.

Prioritize fixes, retest after changes, and set up ongoing monitoring to keep up with updates.

Use the checklist below to assess how close your e-commerce platform is to meeting EAA compliance. Each section covers key areas defined by the European Accessibility Act and its supporting standards (WCAG 2.2 and EN 301 549).

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

EAA compliance push digital platforms to work for everyone. With the June 2025 deadline fast approaching, now is the time to act.

Whether you’re running a large or a small e-commerce store, the path forward is clear: follow WCAG 2.2, test with real users and assistive tech, and document your accessibility efforts.

Use the checklist above to identify gaps and prioritize fixes.

Getting accessibility right from the start leads to stronger UX, wider reach, and reduced legal risk.

If you need help making that happen, Ulan Software offers end-to-end and tailored to accessibility. We help businesses meet EAA standards without slowing down innovation.

Don’t wait for enforcement to catch up. Start building an accessible platform today!

EAA Compliance Requirements and Best Practices

What Does EAA Stand For?

Who Does It Apply To?

What Fines and Penalties Can You Face?

The State of Website Accessibility in 2025

What Are the EAA Requirements and Standards?

5 Best Practices for EAA Implementation

1. Accessible site and app structure

2. Text alternatives for images and media

3. Accessible forms and checkout flows

4. Clear feedback and contact options

5. Mobile accessibility

Examples of E-Commerce Platforms Meeting EAA Standards

EAA Common Pitfalls to Avoid

7. Other issues

How to Conduct an Accessibility Audit for EAA Compliance

EAA Compliance Checklist

Conclusion

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