EAA Enforcement Is Now Active: What E-commerce Businesses Need to Do

The Current Situation

As of June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act requires all e-commerce websites, banking services, ticketing platforms, and other digital services operating in the EU to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards.

Early data from our scans shows that approximately 78% of EU e-commerce sites still have significant accessibility issues. This means enforcement authorities are likely to prioritize the most egregious violations first, giving businesses still working on compliance a window to act.

How EAA Enforcement Works

Unlike the GDPR, which has a single supervisory authority per country, EAA enforcement varies by member state. Each EU country has designated market surveillance authorities responsible for enforcement. Here is what to expect:

Consumer Complaints

Most enforcement actions start with complaints from consumers or disability advocacy groups. A user who cannot complete a purchase may file a complaint with their national authority.

Investigation

Authorities will evaluate your website against WCAG 2.1 AA criteria. They may use automated scanning tools combined with manual testing.

Corrective Action Period

You will typically receive a notice and a deadline to fix issues before fines are imposed. Having documentation of ongoing compliance efforts strengthens your position.

Penalties

Fines up to €100,000 per violation. In severe cases, authorities can order your site to be blocked in their jurisdiction until issues are resolved.

Immediate Steps to Take Now

Step 1: Get an Accessibility Audit

Run a comprehensive WCAG 2.1 AA scan of your website immediately. This gives you a baseline understanding of your current issues and demonstrates proactive compliance efforts.

Run a free scan now

Step 2: Publish an Accessibility Statement

An accessibility statement is required under the EAA. It should describe your current accessibility status, known issues, and your remediation timeline. This document is crucial if you receive an enforcement inquiry.

Generate your statement

Step 3: Document Your Compliance Plan

Create a formal remediation plan with specific milestones and deadlines. This documentation shows enforcement authorities that you are taking compliance seriously, even if you are not yet fully compliant.

Step 4: Fix Critical Issues First

Not all accessibility issues carry equal weight. Focus first on critical and serious issues that completely block users with disabilities. Common high-priority fixes include: missing alt text on product images, inaccessible checkout forms, and missing focus indicators.

What Happens If You Receive an Enforcement Notice

If you receive notice from an enforcement authority, do not panic. Here is how to respond:

Respond promptly - Acknowledge receipt and request specifics about which issues were identified
Present your compliance plan - Show documentation of your ongoing remediation efforts
Request a reasonable timeline - Authorities often grant extensions for businesses showing good faith efforts
Consider legal counsel - For significant notices, consult with a lawyer familiar with EU accessibility law

How Long Does Compliance Take?

For most e-commerce websites, achieving WCAG 2.1 AA compliance takes 2-8 weeks depending on:

- The number and severity of existing issues
- Your platform (Shopify, WordPress, custom, etc.)
- Available developer resources
- Whether you use AI-assisted remediation tools

With Inclusiv's AI-powered fixes, many businesses are achieving compliance in 2-3 weeks. Our platform generates exact code changes for your specific platform, significantly reducing the technical effort required.

The Bottom Line

Yes, the EAA deadline has passed. But enforcement authorities are focusing first on the most serious cases and on businesses that show no effort toward compliance. By taking action now — running an audit, publishing an accessibility statement, and actively working on fixes — you significantly reduce your risk.

The businesses most at risk are those doing nothing. Do not be one of them.