European Accessibility Act
Is your online shop accessible to all your customers?
Since 28 June 2025, online shops selling to consumers must be accessible to people with disabilities. In the Netherlands, the ACM supervises compliance.
What the ACM found
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets tested the largest Dutch online shops. Companies that fail to improve sufficiently risk enforcement action.
Source: ACM, publication of 24 March 2026.
What the law says
European Directive 2019/882 (European Accessibility Act) requires e-commerce services, meaning websites and apps that let consumers buy, order or book, to be accessible to people with disabilities.
There is no transition period for these services. An easy-to-find accessibility statement must explain how the service complies. Content published before 28 June 2025, such as archived videos or documents, is exempt.
- In force since
- 28 June 2025
- Supervisor in the Netherlands
- Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM)
- Standard
- WCAG 2.1 level AA (EN 301 549)
- Exemption
- Microenterprises: fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover up to 2 million euros
Does it apply to me?
Covered
- Online shops selling to consumers
- Booking or ordering websites and apps
- Companies with 10 or more employees, or more than 2 million euros in turnover
- Electronic communications services (internet, telephony, messaging, video calls)
Not covered
- Service microenterprises (fewer than 10 employees and up to 2 million euros)
- Websites that sell nothing to consumers
- Content published before 28 June 2025 (archives)
Even without an obligation, an accessible site is better for every customer and ready for the day your business passes the thresholds.
Our offer
EAA accessibility check
A snapshot of your website or online shop's accessibility, with a concrete improvement plan.
Included
- Test of key pages and the purchase flow (home, product, cart, checkout, forms) against WCAG 2.1 AA
- Keyboard navigation and screen reader test
- Colour contrast, image text alternatives, form labels and error messages
- Written report: each issue with its WCAG criterion, priority and solution
- Draft accessibility statement
- Meeting to explain the report and plan the fixes
Not included
- Fixing the issues (separate quotation)
- Legal advice
- A certificate or guarantee of compliance
We can carry out the fixes at the rate of the service concerned.
The most common issues
The ACM cites the first two in its study; the others come up often in WCAG tests.
Buttons that do not work with a keyboard
Without a mouse, the customer cannot add to cart or pay.
Inaccessible CAPTCHA
A visual-only check locks out customers with low vision.
Insufficient colour contrast
Light grey text or pale buttons that are hard to read.
Images without text alternatives
A screen reader cannot describe the product.
Forms without clear labels
Unnamed fields and errors shown by colour alone.
Invisible focus
With a keyboard, you cannot see where you are on the page.
Frequently asked questions
Does the EAA apply to my online shop?
Yes, if you sell to consumers and your company has 10 or more employees or more than 2 million euros in annual turnover. Below both thresholds, you are an exempt microenterprise.
What happens if my site does not comply?
The ACM contacts the companies concerned. Those that do not improve sufficiently risk enforcement action, up to and including fines.
Which standard must I meet?
The benchmark is WCAG 2.1 level AA, included in the European standard EN 301 549.
Is an accessibility statement required?
Yes. It explains how your service complies, must be easy to find and itself accessible. Our check provides a draft.
Does the check guarantee compliance?
No. It is a technical snapshot with the fixes needed. It does not replace legal advice or ACM supervision.
Sources
- ACM: accessibility of e-commerce services and electronic communications services (opens in a new window)
- ACM: most large online shops are not accessible (24 March 2026, in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- Directive (EU) 2019/882 on accessibility requirements (EUR-Lex) (opens in a new window)
- W3C: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 (opens in a new window)
General information based on the sources above, consulted on 17 September 2026. This is not legal advice; the rules may change.
Have a project in mind?
Briefly describe what you need on the contact page. We will get back to you to arrange a no-obligation appointment.
