Web accessibility and the law: what your site must meet
What the European accessibility directive requires, who it applies to, and how to prepare practically.
Web accessibility is no longer just good practice — for many organisations it is a legal requirement. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) applies to online shops, services and public bodies, and sets expectations for how a digital service must be usable.
The good news is that meeting the requirements also improves the site for everyone.
Who it applies to
Online shops and services, public administration, and many service providers. The exact scope varies by country and type of organisation, but the direction is clear: a digital service must be usable by everyone.
What it means in practice
Semantic HTML and a correct heading order, labelled form fields, alt text, sufficient contrast, keyboard operability and a legible type scale. It is not a one-off checklist but a quality you maintain continuously.
How to prepare
Start with an audit of the current state and prioritise by impact. Fix structural issues first, then visual ones. Build accessibility into normal development so it does not come back as debt.