Navigating EU Digital Accessibility Compliance with Fabrity Commerce

Digital accessibility is no longer optional for businesses operating in the European Union (EU)—it’s a necessity. With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) requiring websites and digital services to conform to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), e-commerce businesses face new challenges and opportunities. Non-compliance can lead to not only financial penalties but also reputational damage and exclusion from procurement contracts. But achieving compliance also delivers measurable benefits, including improved user experience (UX), enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and greater inclusivity.

This guide provides an overview of EU digital accessibility compliance and actionable insights for e-commerce managers, web developers, and digital accessibility experts looking to align with evolving regulations and optimize their platforms.

Why Accessibility Compliance Matters

Regulatory Mandates

The EAA enforces accessibility requirements across the EU, mandating compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA standards. Specific regulations, deadlines, and enforcement mechanisms vary by country but share a common goal—to ensure inclusivity for all users, including those with disabilities.

Key country-specific laws include:

• Germany: BITV 2.0 and Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG)
• Poland: Digital Accessibility Act and Accessibility for Products and Services Act (2024)
• Sweden: Digital Public Services Act and EAA Implementation (2025)
• Netherlands: Digital Government Act and Equal Treatment Act
• Finland: Act on Provision of Digital Services (306/2019) with recent EAA amendments

Business Risks of Non-Compliance

Non-compliance exposes businesses to:

• Legal Risks: Financial penalties and lawsuits.
• Reputation Damage: Negative publicity and loss of customer trust.
• Procurement Disqualification: Exclusion from public tenders requiring accessibility standards.

But it’s not all about risk mitigation. Compliance can also drive significant business benefits.

The ROI of Accessibility

Investing in accessibility doesn’t just meet regulatory requirements; it improves customer experience and delivers measurable ROI:

Enhanced User Experience (UX)

Ensures all users, including those with disabilities, can seamlessly access your services.

Accessible design benefits all, creating a more inclusive experience for every user.

SEO Boost

Accessibility improvements often align with SEO best practices, increasing your site’s visibility.

Broader Customer Base

Inclusivity makes your platform accessible to a larger audience, including people with permanent or temporary disabilities.

For active e-commerce platforms, ROI from accessibility initiatives is often visible within 6–12 months.

True accessibility ensures equity of experience

Accessibility isn’t just about accommodating users with permanent disabilities—it’s about designing for everyone, including: 

• Older adults with declining vision 
• Individuals with temporary challenges, like a broken arm 
• People using devices in bright sunlight or on unreliable networks 
• Neurodiverse individuals 
• Hidden personas, such as those navigating difficult environments or conditions.

Key Challenges of Achieving Compliance

Multi-Market Legal Variations

Each EU market has localized legal requirements for accessibility. For example:

• Selling in Germany or Finland requires compliance with their specific interpretations of WCAG 2.1 AA.
• UK businesses must adhere to the Equality Act by making “reasonable adjustments,” although there’s no fixed EAA deadline yet.

E-commerce businesses operating across multiple EU markets must align their platforms with each country’s laws, which may involve differing UX designs, checkout flows, and accessibility statements. Managing these manually is both costly and error-prone.

Team Responsibility and Workflow Integration

Accessibility often falls between design, development, and QA teams without clear ownership. Without shared standards and automated checks, non-compliance can go unnoticed.

Perceived Cost and Complexity

Many businesses hesitate to invest in accessibility due to the perceived complexity and costs. However, tiered audit models and scalable strategies significantly reduce these barriers.

Step-by-Step WCAG Compliance Process 

Here is a complete walkthrough of Fabrity Commerce's accessibility audit and compliance process. 

1. Preparation Workshop 

We begin with a remote workshop bringing together project stakeholders, including business owners, developers, and designers. This session defines key objectives, expectations, and limitations based on your current website state and compliance requirements. 

Outcome: 

• Alignment on project scope and WCAG compliance level (2.1 or 2.2 AA).
• Clear understanding of how accessibility allows your business to grow its user base while meeting legal mandates.

2. Accessibility Audit 

The audit phase follows one of three models based on your platform needs and resources. 

Basic Audit 

• Uses automated scanning tools (e.g., Lighthouse, WAVE, axe).
• Identifies technical gaps (e.g., missing alt text, low contrast).
• Suitable for basic diagnostics or MVPs.

Hybrid Audit 

• Combines automatic scans with expert validation and usability-focused research.
• Includes testing with 12 participants who have accessibility needs (e.g., blind users, low-vision users, and keyboard navigators).
• Ideal for mid-size e-commerce platforms to achieve cost-efficient and actionable fixes.

Extended Audit 

• Incorporates in-depth manual testing, keyboard navigation checks, and screen reader compatibility.
• Includes real-world usability testing by users with disabilities.
• Provides developer-ready recommendations tailored to large-scale public sector platforms or regulated environments.

Audits comparison