New legislation: make your offer accessible
You just want to do business smoothly and not spend too much time on extra rules and checks. However, legislation sometimes requires extra attention. From June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will apply. This European law obliges companies to make digital items and services accessible to everyone. As a partner selling via bol, you are responsible for the accessibility of your product range and content. We are happy to help you get started with clear information and tools, so you are well prepared.
What does the EAA entail?
The EAA obliges companies to make digital services and items accessible to everyone. Examples include: webshops, computers and software, cash and card machines, online banking, streaming apps, and electronic books. Consumer electronics such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, televisions, and smart devices (devices with smart, digital functions, like smart refrigerators) also fall under the law. The goal of the law is to create an inclusive market where everyone can participate, including people who have difficulty seeing, hearing, reading, or moving.
What does this mean for you?
We have been working for years on an accessible platform and clear customer communication, so many accessibility measures are already part of selling via bol. Think of good color contrast, readable text, and support for screen readers. Many partners selling via bol already provide clear and accessible content. This is also necessary, because as a partner selling via bol, you are responsible for complying with all applicable requirements, rules, and laws.
Read more about the EAA legislation on the websites of the Dutch National Government and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
The most important action points from the EAA legislation at a glance:
- Do you offer digital items, such as laptops, smartphones, media players, or e-readers? Then the EAA applies to you. Therefore, check your product range carefully; you are legally obliged to do so. Digital items or items with a digital component that are placed on the market in the European Union from June 28, 2025, must comply with the EAA. These items must then work well with assistive technologies* such as screen readers, braille, and voice control. In the manufacturer's documentation, you can usually see whether items can work with assistive technologies. You are legally obliged to find out whether the manufacturer has met the accessibility requirements. If you offer items via bol and the manufacturer has not complied, then you as a partner selling via bol are co-liable. Items that were placed on the market in the European Union before June 28, 2025, and are offered via bol, may continue to be offered for the time being if they do not comply. A sell-off period of 5 years applies to these. However, if an item is placed on the market in the European Union after June 28, or if you make an adjustment to an existing item or service after June 28, 2025, such as a software update or new version, then the item must still comply with the EAA rules.
- Fill in the (new) attribute named ‘Accessible for assistive technologies’. From May 1st, you can indicate in your seller account which assistive technologies are supported by your items, such as screen readers or AssistTouch. This way, the customer knows exactly what to expect.
- Adjust texts where necessary: ensure clear, understandable descriptions and, if applicable, use subtitles for videos. You can read exactly what the guidelines for content according to the EAA are here.
- Check the item description and specification for your items. This text is read aloud by assistive technologies, such as screen readers. Ensure that the item description and specification are so complete that customers can get a good idea of what an item looks like, even without being able to see an image.
- Perform regular checks. If an item does not comply, adjust what is necessary or stop offering it. If your offer does not comply with the EAA, we can enforce it. For example, by taking items offline or deducting policy points.
* Read more information about assistive technologies here.
Who does the law apply to?
The EAA applies to almost all companies. Only micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees and less than €2 million turnover) are exempt. Please note: even if your company does not have to comply with the EAA, your content and images on bol must still be accessible.
Enforcement from June 28, 2025
Supervisory authorities, the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), may check from June 28, 2025, whether you comply with the rules. If you do not comply, they can issue fines. Our Conditions of Use Professional Sales via bol state that the offer must comply with applicable legislation. It can also happen that the supervisory authority asks bol to take items offline or deduct policy points if your offer does not comply.
Your own responsibility
You are responsible for complying with the EAA legislation (and all other applicable laws and regulations). Of course, we will help you with information and tools. Please note: this information is general and not legal advice.