The EU Accessibility Act in Sweden for Online Shops
Accessibility (EAA)If you run an online shop that sells to consumers in Sweden, the European Accessibility Act — Directive (EU) 2019/882, or EAA — shapes how your website and checkout must work for people with disabilities. The Directive has applied since 28 June 2025, and Sweden gives it effect through national transposition, referred to in Swedish as the Tillgänglighetsdirektivet. The core requirements are common across the Union.
What the EAA Requires
The EAA sets accessibility requirements across a range of products and services, and consumer-facing e-commerce falls within scope. In practice, an online shop is expected to meet the harmonised European standard EN 301 549, which for websites aligns with WCAG 2.1 at level AA. The aim is that people using assistive technology such as screen readers or keyboard navigation can browse, choose products, and check out without barriers.
For a Swedish webshop, accessibility is treated as part of how the service is provided rather than an optional feature. The requirements attach to the online service, so the same standard applies whether your shop runs on PrestaShop, another platform, or a custom build.
Oversight: DIGG
Sweden’s transposition sits within a supervisory framework, and the Agency for Digital Government — known by its Swedish abbreviation DIGG — is associated with oversight of digital accessibility in Sweden. The practical takeaway for a seller is that accessibility is monitored rather than left entirely to self-assessment. Exact supervisory roles, procedures and any enforcement steps are matters for the national scheme, so treat this as a qualitative picture rather than a fixed checklist.
The Microenterprise Exemption
The EAA exempts microenterprises that provide services — generally those with fewer than 10 staff and an annual turnover or balance-sheet total of no more than €2 million. A very small shop below both thresholds may fall outside the service obligations, subject to how Sweden has transposed the Directive. A genuinely small operation should confirm its position rather than assume it is exempt.
Practical Accessibility for Your Storefront
- Colour contrast of at least 4.5:1 for normal text.
- Full keyboard navigation across the shop and checkout.
- Clearly labelled checkout form fields.
- Meaningful alt text on product images.
Language and Local Practice
Dealings with authorities and accessibility documentation in Sweden are generally in Swedish. If your shop operates primarily in another language, plan for Swedish-language handling of accessibility information rather than assuming English will suffice, even though English is widely spoken.
Practical Steps for Online Sellers
- Check whether your shop is within scope or qualifies for the microenterprise exemption.
- Audit your storefront and checkout against WCAG 2.1 AA.
- Prioritise the purchase path, then extend accessibility across the rest of the site.
- Keep a record of the accessibility measures you have implemented.
- Plan for Swedish-language handling of accessibility information.
For the EU-wide picture, see our overview of the European Accessibility Act and our complete accessibility guide. For a country hub, visit our Sweden page.
This article is educational, not legal advice.