European Accessibility Act (EAA) – new obligations from 28 June 2025
by Marcin Tomczak on Aug 14, 2025
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a directive adopted by the European Union in 2019. Its goal is to harmonize digital and physical accessibility requirements for products and services across the EU, so that people with disabilities can freely use them. These regulations are intended to combat the digital and social exclusion of millions of citizens – especially those with visual, hearing, or motor impairments.
In Poland, the EAA was implemented by the Act of April 26, 2024, on Ensuring Product and Service Accessibility Requirements for Business Entities. The Act entered into force on June 28, 2025, and covers a broad group of businesses offering consumer products and services, including online stores.
Who does the EAA regulations apply to in Poland?
The above regulations aim to improve the accessibility of products and services for people with disabilities, including in the digital environment. Online sellers offering or providing services to consumers, unless they are micro-entrepreneurs, are obliged to adapt their online stores to the new requirements .
EAA Digital Accessibility Principles
The requirements of the European Accessibility Act are based on four pillars:
- understandability – the website should be easy to use, logical and clear, also for people with cognitive difficulties,
- perceptibility – information must be perceptible through various senses: sight, hearing or touch,
- functionality – the user should have access to all website functions, regardless of the navigation method used (mouse, keyboard, screen reader),
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compatibility – the website must work with assistive technologies, e.g. software for blind or visually impaired people.
How to implement the Accessibility Act in an online store?
Adapting a website to EAA requirements requires implementing a number of technical and editorial solutions. In particular, these include:
- the ability to operate the website using only the keyboard , without the need to use a mouse. This is crucial for people with motor disabilities,
- using an appropriate content layout , i.e. ensuring a large and legible font, sufficient spacing between text lines and appropriate contrast between the text and the background,
- adding alternative descriptions (alt texts) to graphics that carry content – for example, infographics, promotional banners or illustrations containing text information,
- providing video materials with subtitles and transcription so that they are also understandable to deaf people,
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compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technologies , which requires proper page coding and compliance with WCAG 2.1 level AA standards.
Seller's information obligation
In addition to technical requirements, the Act also introduces a disclosure obligation. Online retailers must provide information on their website about how they meet accessibility requirements. This could be a separate tab with accessibility information, a provision in the store's terms and conditions, or another public document.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with the EAA?
Failure to adapt an online store to the new regulations may result in serious financial penalties. The fine can be up to ten times the average monthly salary, but no more than 10% of the company's annual turnover.
Moreover, entrepreneurs also risk losing customers and reputation. Poland has over 4 million people with disabilities – a huge group of consumers for whom digital accessibility means real exclusion from the e-commerce market.
Adapting the website to EAA requirements is therefore not only a legal obligation, but also an element of business strategy and building trust, as well as a competitive advantage.
Why is it worth ensuring digital accessibility?
Meeting the requirements of the European Accessibility Act brings a number of benefits. First, it expands the reach of your offerings and allows you to reach new customer groups. Second, it improves your website's visibility in search engines, as Google algorithms favor user-friendly websites. Third, it reduces legal risk, allowing you to avoid fines and costly disputes.
Finally, implementing accessibility is a manifestation of social responsibility and concern for equality, which can be an important element of the brand image.
If you want to ensure your online store meets all the requirements of the European Accessibility Act, contact us. Act today and open your store to all customers – without exceptions.
