Responsibilities for e-commerce
Accessibility Act
Since June 28, 2025, a law implementing the European Accessibility Act (EAA) has been in force in Poland. This regulation introduces uniform requirements for the accessibility of digital products and services, including online stores and trading platforms.
For e-commerce, this means ensuring that websites, mobile applications, and purchasing processes are understandable, navigable, and usable by all users, including people with disabilities and older people.
What is accessibility in e-commerce?
Accessibility in e-commerce means adapting online stores to the diverse needs of users so that everyone can freely use the services offered.
In practice, this includes both the design of the website and application, which allows them to be operated without a mouse, using only a keyboard, voice, or assistive technology, as well as the preparation of content, which must be legible, appropriately contrasted, and accessible to screen readers.
Equally important is the design of purchasing processes – so that going through the shopping cart, selecting a payment method, and completing the transaction is intuitive and possible for every user. Regulations require online stores to eliminate digital and technological barriers by creating an interface that does not exclude any group of consumers and ensures equal access to the services offered.
What requirements must an online store meet?
It is also worth remembering to adapt mobile applications to the same accessibility standards as web versions.
Why is it worth implementing solutions now?
What risks does implementing accessibility eliminate?
Adapting your online store to the requirements of the European Accessibility Act reduces the risk of problems that may be both legal and operational in nature.
In particular, it helps avoid situations where customers are unable to complete a purchase due to inaccessible content, incorrect navigation, or incompatibility with assistive technologies. It also protects against supervisory proceedings and financial penalties imposed for violations of the obligations under the Act.
Entrepreneurs who take action early enough gain an advantage in several areas:
- can reach a much larger group of customers, including people with disabilities and the elderly,
- build a positive image of a company that designs services responsibly and inclusively,
- improve the quality of the shopping experience, increasing conversion and gaining customer loyalty,
- improve search engine positioning, as accessible websites have a more organized content structure,
- avoid rush, delays, and costly implementations carried out under the pressure of statutory deadlines.
Accessibility is therefore an investment in development, not merely the fulfillment of an obligation.
Who is affected by the obligations of the European Accessibility Act?
As a rule, the regulations cover all online stores and trading platforms operating on the European Union market.
The exceptions are few and include:
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micro-entrepreneurs , i.e. companies employing fewer than 10 employees and with a turnover of less than EUR 2 million,
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businesses for which compliance would be disproportionately expensive – where it is necessary to demonstrate that compliance with the requirements would constitute an excessive financial burden.
Consequences of non-implementation
Violations of the new obligations may result in the initiation of proceedings and the imposition of financial sanctions.
Fines imposed by PFRON or the relevant market surveillance authority may reach up to ten times the average monthly salary, but not more than 10% of the company's annual turnover.
The obligations arising from the Accessibility Act apply to all entities participating in the process of offering digital products and services.
Don't wait - implement accessibility solutions now
The risk of sanctions, combined with the technical requirements, means that postponing implementation can be costly – both financially and operationally.
How to adapt an online store to the requirements?
Importantly, this also includes adding alternative texts, ensuring appropriate contrast and full keyboard navigation.
In particular, product descriptions, instructions and sales documents – so that they are legible and compatible with screen readers.
Primarily such as transcriptions, subtitles or the ability to listen to the text.
First of all, the technological compatibility of the website and purchasing processes with assistive tools.
In many e-commerce stores, implementing accessibility also involves streamlining design processes and the way content is published, which in the long run improves the quality of the overall customer service.
Accessibility implementation and further legal support
For entrepreneurs who want to not only meet statutory requirements, but also ensure ongoing support in updating content, procedures and compliance checks, our legal subscriptions are available.
As part of our solution, we will monitor regulatory changes and ensure that your online store complies with accessibility standards – even when new obligations arise or the website architecture needs to be revised.
The subscription is a complement to the implementation process - not an obligation - but for many companies it becomes a natural tool for maintaining compliance in a systematic way.
Legal packages for e-commerce
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Legal Partner
Comprehensive legal services for e-commerce leaders
- Everything from the Start, Flow and Force packages
- A team of dedicated lawyers to serve your company
- Monthly legal audit with a full report on the implementation of changes
- A total of 6 hours of legal services per month (legal advice, drafting of documents)
- Free legal consultations in the form of meetings (twice a month)
- Legal training for the team
- Priority 24/7 support, priority assistance in the event of PIH/UOKiK/UODO inspections
Summary of the selected package
Legal Start
Perfect for beginner shops
99 PLN / monthly
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ecommerce.legal – a team of e-commerce lawyers who ensure the compliance of online stores in Poland and abroad.
We offer comprehensive e-commerce law support tailored to the needs of your business.
From legal documentation, through compliance audits, to ongoing legal support in a subscription model.