European Accessibility Act for WooCommerce Stores
Most online stores selling to EU consumers now have to be accessible. We find what blocks customers in your shop, fix it in your theme and checkout, and prepare your accessibility statement.
The EAA likely applies to you if…
- You sell products or services online to consumers in the EU
- Your business has 10 or more employees, or more than €2M annual turnover
- Your shop is based outside the EU but sells to EU consumers
Usually not covered
- Micro-enterprises providing services (fewer than 10 staff and ≤ €2M turnover)
- Purely B2B shops that do not sell to consumers
Even if you are exempt, an accessible store converts better: clearer forms, better contrast and keyboard-friendly checkout help every customer — and Google.
What we usually find in WooCommerce stores
Most problems come from the theme, page builder and checkout plugins — not from WooCommerce itself.
Form fields without proper labels; errors shown only in red, not announced to screen readers
Variation selectors (size, colour) that can’t be used with a keyboard
Quantity changes and “added to cart” messages not announced
Product photos missing meaningful alt text
Mega menus and filters that trap keyboard focus
Low colour contrast on prices, buttons and sale badges
Consent pop-up that can’t be closed without a mouse
Visual-only CAPTCHA blocking account or checkout
How it works
- 1
Mini-check
Free scan of 3 key pages. You see where you stand.
- 2
Audit
Manual + automated WCAG 2.2 AA testing of all key templates.
- 3
Fixes
We fix the code on a staging copy, so your live sales are never interrupted.
- 4
Statement & re-test
Final re-test and an accessibility statement draft for your site.
Pricing
Free mini-check
We test your homepage, one product page and the checkout and send you the 3 most serious issues — no strings attached.
- 3 key issues with screenshots
- PageSpeed + accessibility score
- Reply within 2 business days
Full EAA audit
A complete manual + automated audit of your store against WCAG 2.2 AA.
- Key templates: home, category, product, cart, checkout, account
- Keyboard and screen reader testing (NVDA, VoiceOver)
- Prioritised report with how-to-fix notes
- Fixed quote for implementation
Audit + fixes
We fix everything found in the audit directly in your WooCommerce theme and plugins.
- Code fixes in theme, checkout and plugins
- Accessibility statement draft
- Re-test after fixes
- Optional ongoing monitoring in a care plan
Prices excl. VAT. Audit price for stores with standard templates; very large catalogues are quoted individually.
EAA & WooCommerce — FAQ
When did the European Accessibility Act take effect?
The EAA (Directive (EU) 2019/882) has applied since 28 June 2025. Each EU country enforces it through its own national law — for example the BFSG in Germany.
Does the EAA apply to my WooCommerce store?
In most cases, yes, if you sell to consumers in the EU. E-commerce services are explicitly covered. Micro-enterprises providing services — fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover or balance sheet of €2M or less — are exempt. Purely B2B shops are generally out of scope. If you are not sure, the free mini-check is a good starting point.
What standard do I need to meet?
The harmonised European standard is EN 301 549, which is based on WCAG. In practice that means WCAG 2.1 AA as a minimum; we audit against WCAG 2.2 AA so you are covered for the newer criteria too.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Penalties are set by each member state and must be “effective, proportionate and dissuasive”. Market surveillance authorities can order fixes, impose fines and in some countries restrict a service. Courts in some EU countries have already ordered retailers to make their websites accessible.
Will an accessibility plugin or overlay make my shop compliant?
No. Overlay widgets do not fix the underlying code and are widely criticised by accessibility experts and users. Compliance requires fixing the theme, checkout and content themselves.
Do I need an accessibility statement?
Yes. Service providers must publish information on how their service meets the accessibility requirements, for example on the website or in the terms. We prepare a draft based on the audit.
Is this legal advice?
No. We handle the technical side — audit, fixes and statement draft. For questions about how the law applies to your specific business, please consult a lawyer in your country.
Find out where your store stands
Send us your shop URL. Within 2 business days you get the 3 most serious accessibility issues — free.