"Partly accessible" did not pass. Enforcement has started.
One year after the European Accessibility Act took effect, courts and regulators are acting. Businesses selling to EU customers, wherever they are based, should check their websites now.
By the Xuru Technologies team · 6 July 2026
Key takeaways
- In June 2026 a French court ordered Carrefour to make its website and app fully accessible within six months, with daily fines for delay.
- The Netherlands' regulator sent information requests to e-commerce sellers worldwide, including non-EU companies.
- Sweden opened e-commerce cases; German firms received warning letters.
- Maximum penalties reach up to €1 million in some countries.
The European Accessibility Act applied from 28 June 2025. Year one was about notices and test cases. Year two looks set to bring formal enforcement.
What happened
Level Access reviewed enforcement across member states, noting the court held that meeting 71% of criteria was not enough. AllAccessible also published a one-year update.
What it means for online sellers
- Non-EU sellers are in scope. Selling to EU consumers is enough.
- Key journeys matter most. Home page, product pages, search and checkout.
- Accessibility helps sales. Accessible sites work better for everyone.
An accessibility action plan
| Step | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Audit against WCAG 2.1 AA | Know your gaps. |
| Fix checkout and search first | Protects the journeys regulators test. |
| Publish an accessibility statement | Required and builds trust. |
| Test with keyboard and screen readers | Catches what automated tools miss. |
Frequently asked questions
Does the European Accessibility Act apply to non-EU businesses?Yes, if they sell covered products or services, such as e-commerce, to consumers in the EU.
Yes, if they sell covered products or services, such as e-commerce, to consumers in the EU.
Have there been fines yet?As of mid-2026, reports found no confirmed monetary fines, but courts have issued orders and regulators have opened cases.
As of mid-2026, reports found no confirmed monetary fines, but courts have issued orders and regulators have opened cases.
What standard should my website meet?WCAG 2.1 AA is the practical benchmark used with the harmonised European standard EN 301 549.
WCAG 2.1 AA is the practical benchmark used with the harmonised European standard EN 301 549.
Accessible for everyone, compliant for Europe.
WCAG audits, fixes and accessibility statements for EU-facing websites and stores.
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