Do I Need an Accessibility Statement for My Online Shop?

• EU law (EAA) requires most online shops to publish an accessibility statement based on real testing.
• Ontario’s AODA requires a compliance report and statement for businesses with 20+ employees.
• UK law expects evidence of accessibility and a public statement for most business sites.
• Microenterprises in the EU (under 10 employees and ≤ €2M turnover) are exempt for services.
• Statements must summarize actual accessibility, not just a generic template.
• Fines for non-compliance can exceed €20,000 per violation in the EU.

Updated 27 October 2026 · 7 sources checked

Providers compared

Prices as published on each provider's website on 27 October 2026, excluding VAT unless stated. Each row links to its source.

What the Law Requires: EU, Ontario, UK

European Union: The European Accessibility Act (EAA, Directive (EU) 2019/882) took effect on June 28, 2025. It requires most online shops to publish an accessibility statement that describes, in plain language, how the site meets accessibility requirements. The statement must be based on real, recent testing and updated regularly. The law applies regardless of where your business is based, so US, Asian, and other non-EU businesses serving EU customers are included. The main exemption is for microenterprises (fewer than 10 employees and ≤ €2M annual turnover), who are not required to provide a statement for services. Fines for non-compliance can range from €5,000 to €20,000 per violation, with potential for higher continuing penalties and restrictions on market access. (Sources: Directive (EU) 2019/882, https://trybarrierscan.com/, https://www.techradar.com/pro/what-is-the-european-accessibility-act-and-why-does-it-matter-for-business-websites-of-all-sizes)

Ontario: Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA, O. Reg. 191/11), private businesses and non-profits with 20 or more employees in Ontario must file a compliance report and be able to state that their web content conforms to WCAG 2.0 AA by 31 December 2026. The report is a self-certification signed by a senior officer of the organization. The law applies based on where your employees work, not where your company is registered. There is no official AODA certification; what matters is a signed, dated record of real testing. (Source: https://accessibilitystatement.org/accessibility-statement-generator/)

United Kingdom: The Equality Act 2010 requires businesses to make reasonable adjustments for accessibility. While there is no explicit statutory requirement for a public statement, it is expected in practice, especially for business and public sector websites. The statement should be based on real testing, list any known barriers, and provide a feedback mechanism. In a dispute, what matters is what you did (testing, remediation), not just what you wrote. (Source: https://accessibilitystatement.org/accessibility-statement-generator/)

Summary Table:

How to Choose a Provider

Choosing the right provider is critical for legal compliance and practical accessibility. Not all accessibility statements are equal: many generators simply output a generic paragraph, which does not meet legal requirements in the EU, Ontario, or UK. Here’s how to evaluate your options:

• Jurisdictional Coverage: Ensure the provider understands the laws in your country. For example, AccessibilityStatement.org covers the EU (Annex V), Ontario (AODA), and UK (Equality Act) requirements, while others may focus only on US ADA or general WCAG conformance.
• Testing Method: Manual testing is essential for real-world accessibility, especially for checkout, forms, and dynamic content. Automated scans miss many barriers. Ask if the provider includes manual keyboard and screen reader testing.
• Signed Record: Ontario requires a signed record by an Ontario company. Some providers offer only unsigned statements or templates.
• Update Frequency: Accessibility is not a one-time fix. Laws require statements to be kept current. Providers such as AccessibilityStatement.org include monthly re-testing; others may charge extra or not offer updates.
• Public Verification: Some providers, like AccessibilityStatement.org, offer a public verification code so anyone can check the authenticity and date of your statement.
• Remediation and Support: If your audit finds barriers, does the provider help with remediation? Some, like BarrierScan, offer fix packs for an additional fee; others focus on audits only.

Included / Not Included / Extra Fees Table:

Always ask for a sample statement and a list of what is included before you commit.

What the Price Really Includes

Accessibility compliance pricing can be confusing. Some providers offer only a generated statement, while others include manual testing, remediation, and ongoing monitoring. Here’s what to look for in the price:

• Manual and Automated Testing: Manual testing is crucial for detecting issues with forms, navigation, and dynamic content. Automated scans alone are insufficient for compliance.
• Statement Writing and Publication: The statement should be tailored to your site and jurisdiction, not just a generic template. It must reflect the results of real testing, list open barriers, and provide a feedback mechanism.
• Signed Documentation: Ontario requires a signed record. Some providers offer only unsigned or self-declared statements.
• Updates and Re-testing: Laws require statements to be kept current. Some providers include monthly re-testing; others charge extra or do not offer updates.
• Support for Complaints or Enforcement: If a user reports a barrier or a regulator investigates, you need documentation and a process for responding. Some providers offer support; others do not.

Hidden Costs Table:

Always clarify what is included in the base price and what costs extra. Some providers charge per page, per update, or for remediation separately.

Hidden Costs and Exclusions

Accessibility statement providers often do not disclose all costs or exclusions upfront. Here’s what to watch for:

• Per-page or Per-retest Fees: Some providers charge by the number of pages tested or for each re-test. AccessibilityStatement.org does not charge per page or per retest; others may.
• Extra Charges for Monitoring or Updates: Ongoing monitoring and updates may be included (e.g., AccessibilityStatement.org) or cost extra (e.g., BarrierScan’s €39/month monitoring).
• Remediation Not Included: Most audits identify barriers but do not fix them. Some providers, like BarrierScan, offer fix packs for an additional fee. Others only provide recommendations.
• Notice Periods and Cancellation: Some providers may require notice to cancel ongoing services or monitoring. This is rarely stated publicly; always ask.
• Liability Limits: Providers rarely accept liability for non-compliance. The legal responsibility remains with your business, not the provider.
• Template Generators: Many low-cost generators produce statements that do not meet legal requirements, as they are not based on real testing and do not list open barriers or provide a working feedback mechanism.

Request a full breakdown of included services and potential extra fees before signing a contract. Ask for a sample statement and a copy of the provider’s terms and conditions.

How Appointment Works: Step by Step

1. Request a Free Scan or Quote: Start by requesting a free scan or quote from your chosen provider. AccessibilityStatement.org and others offer instant automated findings; no card or account required.
2. Provide Website Details: Enter your website address and, if needed, credentials for private areas (e.g., checkout, account pages). This ensures the test covers all relevant flows.
3. Automated and Manual Testing: The provider conducts automated scans and manual testing. Manual checks include keyboard navigation, screen reader use, and real-world user flows such as checkout and forms. This usually takes up to 5 business days (AccessibilityStatement.org).
4. Draft Statement and Findings: You receive a draft accessibility statement and a detailed findings report. The statement summarizes the test results, lists any open barriers, and provides a feedback mechanism.
5. Review and Approve: Review the draft statement for accuracy and completeness. You may need to clarify or address any identified barriers.
6. Receive Signed Record: Once approved, you receive a signed record (where included), often with a public verification code for transparency. Ontario requires the statement to be signed by your own officer.
7. Publish and Link: Publish the statement on your website, linking from every page as required by law. Some providers supply an HTML snippet for easy integration.
8. Ongoing Updates: Keep the statement current. Providers like AccessibilityStatement.org include monthly re-testing; others may require you to request updates or pay extra.

This process ensures your statement is based on real, current testing and meets legal requirements in your jurisdiction.

Risks and Fines for Non-Compliance

Failing to publish a compliant accessibility statement exposes your business to significant legal and financial risks:

• European Union: The EAA is enforced across the EU from June 28, 2025. Fines range from €5,000 to €20,000 per violation, with potential for continuing penalties, reputational harm, customer loss, and restrictions on EU market access. For serious or repeated violations, fines can exceed €250,000. (Sources: https://trybarrierscan.com/, https://eaastatement.com/)
• Ontario: Failure to file the AODA compliance report or publish a compliant statement can result in enforcement action by Ontario authorities. The report must be filed online and signed by a senior officer of your organization. There is no official certification; what matters is a dated record of real testing. (Source: https://accessibilitystatement.org/accessibility-statement-generator/)
• United Kingdom: Non-compliance with the Equality Act 2010 can lead to legal complaints, enforcement action, and reputational damage. Public sector and many business sites are expected to publish a statement and demonstrate reasonable adjustments. (Source: https://accessibilitystatement.org/accessibility-statement-generator/)

Publishing a statement based on real, current testing reduces your risk of challenge and demonstrates good faith. Relying on a template or outdated statement increases your exposure to fines and enforcement.

Decision Matrix: Do You Need an Accessibility Statement?

This matrix helps you quickly determine if you are legally required to publish an accessibility statement based on your business size, jurisdiction, and customer base.

Checklist: What to Do Today

1. Check Exemptions: Confirm your company size and turnover to see if you are exempt (EU: microenterprise; Ontario: under 20 employees).
2. Identify Jurisdictions: List all countries where you sell products/services or have employees. Laws apply based on customer and employee location, not company registration.
3. Review Website for Barriers: Use a free scan to identify obvious accessibility issues. Focus on navigation, checkout, forms, and content contrast.
4. Choose a Provider: Select a provider that offers jurisdiction-specific, tested statements. Ask for a sample statement and a list of included services.
5. Submit Required Information: Provide your website address, access credentials (if needed), and any relevant documentation.
6. Review Findings: Read the draft statement and findings report. Address any open barriers or required changes.
7. Publish Statement: Publish the finalized, signed statement on your site. Link it from every page as required by law.
8. Plan for Updates: Set a schedule for regular re-testing and updates. Ensure your provider supports this or plan to request updates as needed.

Following this checklist ensures you meet legal requirements and reduce your risk of enforcement or complaint.

What Providers Usually Do Not Say

• Template Generators: Many low-cost or free generators produce statements that do not meet legal requirements. They are not based on real testing and cannot list actual barriers or provide a working feedback mechanism.
• Self-Declared Conformance: Laws require statements to reflect real, current testing. Self-declared or dropdown-selected conformance is not sufficient in the EU, Ontario, or UK.
• Extra Charges: Some providers charge extra for updates, monitoring, or per-page reviews. These costs may not be disclosed upfront.
• Liability: Providers rarely accept liability for non-compliance. The legal responsibility remains with your business, even if you use an external provider.
• Ontario Filing: In Ontario, the AODA compliance report must be signed and filed by your own officer. No provider can file it for you; they can only prepare the documents and findings.
• Notice Periods: Cancellation terms, notice periods, and support for enforcement or complaints are rarely detailed on provider sites. Always request terms in writing.

Ask direct questions about what is included, who is responsible for updates, and what happens if a regulator or user challenges your statement.

Realistic Scenarios

• US SaaS with EU customers: If you have 10+ employees or >€2M turnover, you must publish an accessibility statement per the EAA. The simplest route is to use a provider offering Annex V-compliant statements based on real testing. Manual testing of your app flows is essential. If you are a microenterprise, you are exempt.
• Chinese Amazon seller: If you are an individual or microenterprise (fewer than 10 employees and ≤ €2M turnover), you are exempt from the EAA for services. No accessibility statement is required. If you grow beyond these thresholds, you must comply.
• UK online shop (15 employees): You are expected to show evidence of accessibility efforts and publish a statement. Use a provider offering UK-compliant, tested statements. Manual testing and a feedback mechanism are expected. If you do not offer services to the public, you may be exempt.

These scenarios illustrate how obligations depend on size, jurisdiction, and customer base. Always check current thresholds and legal definitions.