In 2025, important changes are coming that will also affect online stores. European legislation on the accessibility of digital content (implemented in Slovenia by the Accessibility of Products and Services Act – ZDPSI) expands the obligations of companies operating online.
From June 28, 2025, accessibility will also be mandatory for the private sector, including online store providers, except in the case of micro-enterprises.
What does an "accessible website" mean?
Accessibility means that the website can also be used by people with various forms of disabilities – e.g., blind and visually impaired, deaf and hard of hearing, people with mobility or cognitive impairments. To ensure this, the website must follow the WCAG 2.1 level AA guidelines, summarized by the European standard SIST EN 301 549.
These are technical criteria that determine how content must be presented, structured, and enabled for use with various assistive technologies (screen readers, keyboard navigation, etc.).
In practice, this means
Your online store must also work for:
- Visually impaired people who use magnification programs or high contrast colors
- Blind people who use screen readers (programs that read content aloud)
- People with mobility limitations who cannot use a mouse and navigate only with a keyboard
- People with cognitive limitations who need clearly structured and understandable content
- Deaf people who need subtitles for video content
Who is bound by the new regulation?
The Accessibility of Products and Services Act (ZDPSI), which implements the European directive on digital accessibility, specifies which companies must ensure that their online stores are accessible to users with various forms of disabilities.
The new rules apply to all online retailers, except micro-enterprises. A micro-enterprise means fewer than 10 employees and less than 2 million euros in annual turnover or balance sheet total. The exemption applies only if both conditions are met.
If an online retailer exceeds at least one of these two criteria, their online store must meet the technical accessibility requirements – in accordance with the SIST EN 301 549 standard and WCAG 2.1 level AA guidelines. This includes adjustments for the blind and visually impaired, mobility-impaired, and other users with special needs.
What about micro-enterprises? Although the law does not require them to fully comply with all technical criteria, it does not mean they do not have to ensure anything. The principle of non-discrimination still applies, meaning at least basic accessibility must be ensured. Additionally, they may come under scrutiny if their digital service represents the majority of their business or if the costs of adjustments are proportional to their capabilities.
It is also recommended for micro-enterprises to at least gradually remove the biggest barriers – after all, it is about improving user experience and long-term competitiveness.
What will need to be ensured?
Basic technical requirements
The online store will need to enable:
Visual accessibility:
- Alternative descriptions for images (for screen readers) - every product image must have a description
- Sufficient contrast between text and background (at least 4.5:1)
- Flexibility in screen magnification up to 200%, without loss of functionality
- Ability to use without colors - information must not be provided only with color markings
Navigational accessibility:
- Accessibility using a keyboard (without the need for a mouse)
- Clear and descriptive buttons, not just "Click here" - but "Add to cart", "Confirm purchase"
- Logical tab order - elements must be accessible in a meaningful sequence
- Visible focus indicators - it must be clearly visible where the focus is
Structural accessibility:
- Organized HTML content structure (headings H1-H6, lists, order)
- Properly labeled forms (e.g., in contact forms, orders)
- Semiantically correct tags for buttons, links, input fields
Multimedia accessibility:
- Subtitles for video content, where necessary
- Transcripts for audio content
- Controls for automatic playback (should not start automatically)
How to check if your site is compliant?
Automatic tools for basic testing:
- Google Lighthouse (built into Chrome) – allows a basic accessibility review
- Friendly Captcha WCAG Checker – a simple and effective online checker
- WAVE – an online tool and extension for visual accessibility analysis
- Google PageSpeed Insights – in addition to loading speed, it also analyzes some aspects of accessibility
Manual testing (KEY!):
Automatic tools capture only part of the issues. Most errors are revealed only during manual testing:
Zoom testing: Zoom the page to 200% and check if the content is still accessible and functional. Also, check operation with high contrast themes.
Keyboard testing: Try to navigate the entire page using only the keyboard (Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter, Space). Check if you can access all functionalities and if the focus is always visible.
Screen reader testing: Use screen readers such as NVDA (Windows, free), JAWS (Windows, paid), VoiceOver (Mac, built-in), or TalkBack (Android).
What are the consequences of non-compliance?
After the law comes into effect, the Information Society Inspectorate will check the compliance of online stores. Monetary fines are foreseen:
- For legal entities: a fine from €500 to €5,000
- For responsible persons (e.g., directors): a fine from €200 to €1,000
The amount of the fine is determined in the Accessibility of Products and Services for Persons with Disabilities Act (ZDPSI).
The legislation introduces an obligation, but in the background, there is also an opportunity: with a more accessible online store, you become reachable to a wider range of users. At the same time, you improve the user experience, increase trust, and also your competitiveness in the long run.
⏰ The law comes into effect on June 28, 2025, so there is almost no time left for adjustments. If your website is not yet aligned with accessibility requirements, now is the time to act.
Do you need help checking compliance or making adjustments? Write to us – we are happy to help you.
