WCAG Compliance for EAA 2025: Last Call for WordPress and WooCommerce Website Owners

What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?

The European Accessibility Act is an EU directive aimed at ensuring equal access to digital products and services for people with disabilities. This means that every user – regardless of physical, sensory, or cognitive limitations – should be able to fully and independently use websites, applications, self-service kiosks, e-books, and e-commerce systems.

In practice, the EAA requires websites, online stores, mobile apps, and even physical points of sale to meet accessibility standards defined by WCAG. But this isn’t just a legal requirement – it represents a broader societal shift toward inclusivity and equal treatment.

For businesses, it’s also an opportunity: an estimated 20–25% of adults live with some form of disability (source: European Commission, “Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030”). Making your site accessible means reaching more people, improving the user experience (UX), and increasing conversions. Many accessibility best practices – such as using proper headings, alt text, and clear structure – also boost SEO. In short: compliance with the EAA is not just a cost, but an investment in competitiveness, innovation, and social responsibility.

Who needs to comply?

The regulation applies to companies operating within the EU that:

• have more than 10 employees or
• generate annual revenue exceeding 2 million euros.

While micro-enterprises are currently exempt, it’s wise to begin accessibility work now. The thresholds may change in the future, and redesigning your site is the perfect time to implement best practices.

When does the regulation come into force?

The new requirements will take effect on June 28, 2025. For many businesses, this is the final moment to take action. Preparing large websites for compliance can take 6 to 9 months! Listen to our full conversation on the topic here: Osom to Know Podcast with Bet Hannon.

Consequences of non-compliance

Failing to comply with the EAA may result in:

• fines up to 100,000 euros,
• penalties based on a percentage of the company’s global revenue
• and in Ireland, even up to 18 months in jail.

In Germany, violations can be reported not only by consumers or advocacy groups, but also by… competitors. This approach aims to level the playing field: if one company invests in compliance, another shouldn’t gain an unfair advantage by ignoring the rules. Compliance becomes not only an ethical matter but also a strategic and reputational one.

WCAG and accessibility levels

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are internationally recognized rules and practices designed to help make digital content accessible to people with disabilities. These guidelines serve as a roadmap for developers and designers to ensure that websites and digital tools can be used by everyone, regardless of their abilities. The current version is WCAG 2.2, while the EAA references WCAG 2.1 at level AA. WCAG defines three levels of accessibility:

• Level A – This sets the minimum baseline requirements, such as proper heading structures and alternative text for images.

• Level AA – Recommended by the EAA, it adds requirements like sufficient color contrast, complete keyboard navigation support, and clear descriptions for links and buttons. Level AA is widely regarded as the standard level of accessibility for most organizations and websites.

• Level AAA – The most demanding level, typically reserved for specialized scenarios, as it includes advanced or challenging criteria to implement.

How to check if your website is accessible?

Automated tools like Accessibility Checker (available as a WordPress plugin) can detect about 30% of issues. That’s a good start, but not enough.

You’ll need:

• manual testing (e.g., navigating with a keyboard),
• testing with screen readers – some of the most widely used include NVDA (free, Windows), JAWS (paid, Windows), and VoiceOver (built into Apple devices),
• feedback from people with disabilities,
• and ideally, a comprehensive WCAG audit.

Common accessibility issues in WordPress and WooCommerce

Below is a list of the most common accessibility issues found on websites and online stores, particularly those built on WooCommerce. These issues frequently appear in WordPress-based e-commerce environments and should be prioritized during accessibility audits and development work. These should be addressed first when auditing or improving a site. Fixing them can significantly enhance user experience and move you closer to WCAG compliance.

• missing alt text for images –  descriptive text for screen reader users,
• poor heading structure – such as no H1 for the main title or skipping heading levels (e.g., jumping from H2 to H4),
• low color contrast – where text is hard to read against its background,
• ambiguous links – e.g., “click here” without context; better: “Read our latest blog post on accessibility”,
• lack of keyboard support – crucial for users who can’t use a mouse,
• elements incompatible with screen readers – such as menus or plugins that aren’t coded properly.

Are automated tools enough?

No. Automated solutions only detect a fraction of accessibility problems. Moreover, overlay tools (e.g., plugins that “fix” issues in the user’s browser) can create new barriers, such as interfering with screen readers. Learn more at overlayfactsheet.com – a resource curated by a large international coalition of accessibility professionals, developers, and advocates. It provides independent, evidence-based insights into the technical limitations and legal risks associated with overlay tools.

How to prepare for the changes

• Start with an accessibility audit –  this is a structured evaluation of your website against WCAG guidelines. A good audit highlights specific barriers that prevent users with disabilities from effectively using your site and offers actionable recommendations. You can perform a basic self-check with tools like Accessibility Checker or involve professionals like Osom Studio for an in-depth review.

• Train your team: developers, designers, and content creators all play a key role in maintaining accessibility. Consider internal training or seek out trusted resources such as WP Accessibility Day and expert blogs like AccessiCart which helps businesses evaluate and optimize their accessibility compliance, and GrackleDocs, which focuses on ensuring documents and presentations are accessible through automated checking tools.

• Use supportive tools early in the design phase – tools like accessibility plugins for Figma help you catch potential issues before they become costly to fix. Embedding accessibility into your design process reduces technical debt and ensures consistency.

• Regularly test new content and features. Accessibility is not a one-time checkbox; even small updates (like a new banner or form) can introduce new problems. By testing often – with manual checks and user feedback – you stay compliant and user-friendly in the long run.

• Treat accessibility like SEO or security – an ongoing process, not a one-time task.

WCAG Audit with Osom Studio

At Osom Studio, we’ve specialized in WordPress and WooCommerce for years. We understand that WCAG compliance isn’t just about meeting legal requirements – it’s about creating better user experiences and expanding your reach.

We offer:

• in-depth WCAG audits,
• tailored recommendations for your site,
• developer and designer support,
• accessibility training sessions.

Don’t wait until the last minute. Contact us today to make sure your website is ready for June 2025!

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