Team Madcraft
Deadline: June 2025
Affected: All eCommerce websites in Ireland
Requirement: Must meet WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards
Risk: Non-compliance could result in legal action and fines
Why it matters: Makes websites usable for all, including people with disabilities
Bonus: Accessibility also improves SEO, usability, and conversions
The clock is ticking for Irish businesses.
Starting June 2025, new requirements under the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will begin to take effect, and if you operate an eCommerce website in Ireland, this applies directly to you.
While accessibility has long been best practice, it’s now becoming a legal requirement for digital services across the EU, including online shops. If your website isn’t compliant with accessibility standards like WCAG 2.1, you could be at risk of falling behind, or worse, facing fines and reputational damage.
The European Accessibility Act is a directive aimed at improving the accessibility of products and services across the EU. For digital businesses, that means ensuring that your website or online platform can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities.
The Act covers a range of digital services, including:
For Irish businesses, June 2025 marks the deadline to ensure your digital presence is compliant, and that includes your eCommerce website.
To comply with the EAA, websites should follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, which cover:
In short, accessibility means building websites that everyone can use, regardless of their abilities, devices, or assistive technology.
Beyond avoiding legal risks, an accessible eCommerce site:
Plus, being accessible is a strong signal of brand integrity and inclusivity, something modern consumers care about deeply.
At Madcraft, we’ve been helping Irish businesses future-proof their websites through inclusive, accessible design. Our team can help you:
The deadline for compliance is this June, and getting your website up to standard takes time. Whether you’re running a complex eCommerce store or a simple product site, accessibility should be at the top of your to-do list this month.
Let’s make your website work for everyone.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU directive requiring digital services, including eCommerce websites, to meet accessibility standards like WCAG 2.1. From June 2025, Irish businesses must comply or face penalties.
The deadline for compliance with the European Accessibility Act is June 28, 2025. By this date, all Irish eCommerce websites must meet WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards or risk penalties.
WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) define how to make digital content accessible to users with disabilities. This includes keyboard navigation, screen reader support, alt text, and more.
Non-compliance with the EAA may lead to legal penalties, customer complaints, and lost revenue due to poor usability or excluding users with disabilities.
You can start by conducting an accessibility audit, updating your site layout and content to meet WCAG 2.1 standards, and ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies.
At Madcraft, we specialize in helping Irish businesses become compliant with the European Accessibility Act through tailored audits, accessible design updates, and long-term support.
The timeline depends on the size and complexity of your site, but most accessibility updates require several weeks. It’s important to start early to meet the June 2025 deadline.
Madcraft can fast-track the process, offering expert audits and hands-on implementation to get your eCommerce website ready in time.
