Accessibility requirements are now required in websites and online services even more widely than before. The EU accessibility directive, i.e. the law on the accessibility of digital services, entered into force on April 1, 2019. Its first phase largely concerned only the online services of public administration and authorities. In February 2023, the law was expanded with the new accessibility directive, and more online services from the private sector will be included in its scope than before.
The goal of the Accessibility Directive is:
- Promote everyone's opportunity to function fully in the digital society
- Create Europe-wide uniform minimum-level requirements for the accessibility of public sector websites and mobile applications
- Improve the quality of digital services
In addition to the accessibility requirements, the law provides for the organization of digital services of authorities and requires that public administrations offer the possibility of communicating with an authorities electronically.
Online stores are now affected
The Act on the Accessibility of Digital Services was expanded as of February 1, 2023. In practice, this means that the AA level according to the WCAG guidelines must now be passed more widely also in the online services of the private sector.
After the transition period, the following digital services intended for consumers are covered by the law:
- Online shops
- Digital services of passenger transport services (e.g. digital ticket shops, route guides and traffic and disruption notices in the digital service.
- Electronic e-books
- Consumer banking services (e.g. mortgages and payment services)
- Services that provide access to audiovisual content services (e.g. user interfaces of streaming services such as Yle Areena, Netflix and MTV Katsomo)
- Communication services, i.e. services that transmit messages online (e.g. WhatsApp)
Regarding the new requirements, the application and supervision of the law will start from June 28, 2025. The new requirements do not apply to micro-enterprises (GVA less than 2 MEUR, less than 10 employees).
The basic pillars of accessibility - what it's all about
Accessibility, in the digital age, is the equivalent of barrier-free access — ensuring that people with limitations can also use online services. The key aspects of web accessibility are technical and content-related accessibility, as well as the usability of the online service. For example there are clear criteria for the use of color contrasts in the WCAG guidelines, while technical accessibility refers to flawless, standards-compliant coding of the online service, ensuring that it can be used with assistive technologies (e.g., screen readers).
It is important that visual accessibility has also been taken into account when designing the online service – fonts are easy to read and the use of colors takes into account colourblindness, clarity and contrast. Content accessibility means that every user can easily access the content. The key here is that the information is clear and easy to understand. Information can be presented, for example, as text, images, videos or audio files, so that the information is as understandable as possible for everyone.
The law on the provision of digital services requires compliance with the A and AA level criteria of the latest version of the WCAG guidelines, i.e. the WCAG 2.1 guidelines.
At least do this – an action plan for an online retailer
The transition period ends on June 28, 2025. It is therefore not necessary to take measures today, but it is worth putting the matter on the management's agenda right away, because the transition may take a long time.Any measures taken towards a more accessible online store or online service are valuable. The goal is to make the online service as accessible as possible within reasonable limits. A development plan can be created for identified deficiencies, and you can implement a feedback look, where you received improvement ideas from users, and this can also be seen as a measure to make your online service more accessibly in the eyes of the authorities.
So do at least these things as soon as possible:
- Bring up the topic with those responsible for the development of the online service and your company's management.
- Find out the current status of your online service, for example by means of an accessibility audit (ask us for more information about this).
- Prepare a road map towards AA-level accessibility and plan how accessibility will be taken into account within the transition period.
- When the current status of your online service is clear, prepare an accessibility statement for it. Update the report as improvements are made.
- Openly accept feedback regarding the accessibility of the online service and consider accessibility in other activities as well, including how to contact your company.
Request an assessment of the accessibility of your online service
Contact Tom Hurd (Business Director, tom.hurd@valve.fi) to have your online service audited and a road map created for the development of accessibility.
