The European Accessibility Act introduced accessibility requirements for covered products and services from 28 June 2025. E-commerce services can fall within its scope. Which obligations apply depends on the service, the business and the relevant national legislation.
Accessibility goes beyond choosing an attractive template. Important functions are often missing or difficult to use.
What should you check?
- Navigation: key tasks must be usable with a keyboard and assistive technologies such as screen readers.
- Contrast and legibility: text and controls need to be easy to perceive and read.
- Text alternatives: informative images need meaningful descriptions; decorative images should not create unnecessary screen-reader output.
- Forms and interactions: labels, instructions and controls must support people with different abilities, including motor impairments.
A standard Shopify, WordPress or Lightspeed theme does not automatically ensure that the finished store meets every requirement. Content, apps and customisations also matter.
What about small businesses?
The Act includes an exemption for microenterprises providing services. These are businesses with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or annual balance sheet total of no more than €2 million. Check how the applicable rules affect your business.
Even where an exemption applies, considering accessibility from the start is usually easier than retrofitting it later, particularly as a business grows.
A practical first step
An accessibility review helps identify obstacles and prioritise improvements. Better accessibility also makes your store easier to use for more people.
Download our accessibility checklist (German)
We offer a free initial accessibility check for Shopify, WordPress and Lightspeed. It highlights examples of potential problems and whether further work is needed. It is an initial orientation, not a compliance certificate.
