The European Accessibility Act (EAA)

About:

The European Accessibility Act (EAA), which goes into effect on 28 June 2025. It aims to improve accessibility for people with disabilities across the EU by setting minimum accessibility requirements for a range of products and services on both ecommerce websites and mobile apps. This will create a more inclusive environment for people with disabilities in the EU by ensuring that products and services are accessible to all. 

Who needs to comply with this regulation change?

Businesses in the EU and the UK that sell products or services to EU consumers, as well as non-EU businesses that sell products or services in the EU.

Are there penalties if you don’t comply?

Yes, non-compliance with the EAA can result in fines of up to €1,000,000 and potential removal of products/services from the EU market. 

What are Infigo doing to comply with these new regulations?

New storefronts: We are adjusting are core storefront build process so that new storefronts will be compliant by default. However, any changes made thereafter to site styling, CSS, colours, text, etc. will need to be done in line with EAA regulation.

Existing storefronts: If you would like Infigo’s support with adjusting your storefront(s) to become compliant please contact Support by raising a professional services ticket. We will review your site and provide you with a quote.

What should customers do to become compliant?

Ensure content is presented in ways users can perceive, regardless of sensory ability.

• Text Alternatives: All non-text content (e.g., images, icons) must have appropriate alt text.
• Captions: Provide captions and transcripts for audio and video content.
• Content Structure: Use clear headings, lists, and landmarks for easy navigation.
• Colour Use: Avoid relying solely on colour to convey information. Ensure sufficient contrast (at least 4.5:1 for text).
• Scalability: Content should be readable when zoomed up to 200% without loss of functionality.

Ensure that users can interact with the site using various input methods.

• Keyboard Navigation: All functions must be usable via keyboard only (no mouse required).
• Focus Management: Use clear focus indicators and maintain logical tab order.
• Time Limits: Allow users to adjust or extend time limits (e.g., for forms or checkout).
• Avoid Seizures: No content should flash more than 3 times per second to prevent triggering seizures.

Make sure the interface and information are easy to comprehend.

• Language: Use clear, plain language and specify the page’s language in the code for example "add to basket" instead of "add".
• Error Identification: Clearly identify form input errors and guide users to correct them.
• Consistent Navigation: Keep menu items, links, and buttons consistent across the site.
• Readable Fonts: Use legible, resizable fonts with sufficient spacing.

Ensure content is compatible with assistive technologies.

• Standards-Based HTML: Use clean, semantic HTML5 with proper ARIA roles when necessary.
• Assistive Technology Support: Ensure compatibility with screen readers, voice recognition, and braille displays.
• Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure accessibility is maintained across devices and orientations.

Legal compliance requires clear documentation and user channels.

• Accessibility Statement: Publish a conforming accessibility statement explaining how the website complies, and what to do if users face issues.
• Feedback Mechanism: Provide an accessible feedback form or contact method for reporting accessibility issues.
• Maintenance Process: Define a process for monitoring, testing, and updating accessibility features regularly.

Helpful tools:

We would recommend https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker and https://www.browserstack.com, however there are a number of tools available to help review sites.

Accessibility testing tools: These help you detect common accessibility issues quickly.

Screen reader testing tools: Helps ensure your site works well with screen readers used by blind or visually impaired users.

Colour Contract and visual testing tools: These tools help test readability for users with low vision or colour blindness.