Understanding Accessibility Regulations
Web accessibility is governed by laws and standards across the globe. Understanding these regulations helps you stay compliant and avoid penalties while serving all customers equally.
Major Regulations by Region
European Accessibility Act (EAA) -- European Union
The EAA requires that digital products and services, including e-commerce websites, meet accessibility standards by June 28, 2025. It applies to all businesses selling to EU customers, regardless of where the business is based.
- Applies to e-commerce, banking, transport, and other digital services.
- Requires compliance with EN 301 549, which references WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
- Non-compliance can result in fines, product removal from the EU market, and legal action.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) -- United States
The ADA requires businesses to provide equal access to their goods and services, including websites. Courts have increasingly ruled that websites must be accessible under Title III of the ADA.
- No specific technical standard is mandated by law, but WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the accepted benchmark.
- Lawsuits related to web accessibility have increased significantly in recent years.
- Applies to businesses of all sizes operating in the US.
Equality Act 2010 -- United Kingdom
The UK Equality Act requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments so that disabled people can access their services, including online stores.
- Aligns with WCAG 2.1 Level AA as best practice.
- The UK government has its own accessibility requirements for public sector websites.
Asia Pacific Regulations
| Country | Standard | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | JIS X 8341-3 | Japanese Industrial Standard for web accessibility, based on WCAG 2.0. |
| South Korea | KWCAG 2.1 | Korean Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, aligned with WCAG. |
| Australia | DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) | Requires accessible digital services; references WCAG 2.0 Level AA. |
Benefits of Compliance
- Avoid legal penalties -- Protect your business from lawsuits and fines.
- Expand your customer base -- Over 1 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability.
- Improve SEO -- Many accessibility improvements also benefit search engine optimization.
- Enhance user experience -- Accessible sites are easier to use for everyone.
- Build brand trust -- Demonstrate your commitment to inclusivity.
Minimum Requirements
The EU deadline is June 28, 2025. Businesses selling to EU customers must comply with the EAA by this date or face fines and potential removal from the EU market.
- Minimum standard: WCAG 2.1 Level A (minimum), Level AA (recommended).
- All interactive elements must be keyboard-accessible.
- All images must have descriptive alt text.
- Color must not be the only means of conveying information.
- Text must be resizable without loss of functionality.
Implementation Steps
- Audit -- Run an accessibility scan on your store to identify issues. Use the Accessibility Scanner in the Avada Accessibility app.
- Update -- Fix identified issues and enable accessibility features through the app's widget settings.
- Monitor -- Schedule regular scans and review reports to maintain compliance over time.