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Barbara Strozzilaan 1011083 HN Amsterdam
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Think only public institutions need to worry about accessibility? Then you might be disqualified before the tender even begins
If you're selling to public institutions through a punchout webshop, accessibility isn't just a nice-to-have - it’s a deal-maker, or deal-breaker. Many suppliers still believe that accessibility is solely the buyer’s responsibility. But when your e-commerce platform becomes part of a public procurement system, the rules shift. Accessibility becomes your responsibility too.Â
Public institutions are increasingly digital in their procurement. Systems like SAP Ariba, Coupa, or Oracle are used to connect directly with vendor webshops, allowing buyers to browse, configure, and send product selections directly into their internal approval flows. When this happens, your punchout shop essentially becomes part of the public institution’s IT environment - and with that comes legal obligations.Â
That means your webshop must comply with WCAG 2.1 AA standards. If it doesn’t, it’s not just a technical hiccup - it’s a potential breach of accessibility regulations. And public buyers won’t take that risk.Â
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The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define how digital platforms must perform to be considered accessible. For a punchout shop, this includes things like proper keyboard navigation, compatibility with screen readers, sufficient color contrast, scalable fonts, and ensuring there are no hidden obstacles like unlabeled form fields or inaccessible modals.Â
And no - partial compliance won’t cut it. With audits and public reporting becoming more common in the public sector, full compliance is becoming standard. Suppliers who can’t meet those requirements risk being excluded early in the tender process.Â
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One in six people worldwide lives with a disability - that’s over a billion potential users your webshop needs to serve.
Failing to meet accessibility standards doesn’t just impact the user experience. It creates real business risks. You may be disqualified from tenders or framework agreements, and worse - your client may be exposed to legal and reputational risks simply by working with you. In such cases, they’ll choose a vendor who removes risk, not one who introduces it.Â
In short: if your punchout shop isn’t accessible, it could be the reason you’re losing out.Â
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Over half of Europe’s webshops fail to meet basic WCAG standards - don’t let yours be one of them.
Smart vendors are already flipping the script. Instead of treating accessibility as a checkbox, they’re using it as a strategic edge. Being compliant shows professionalism and forward-thinking. It reassures buyers that you’re aligned with their obligations. It also improves usability for all users - not just those with disabilities - and makes your webshop more robust in the face of evolving regulations.Â
Accessibility isn’t just about compliance. It’s about being ready for the future.Â
If you’re offering or planning a punchout solution, there are a few key steps you should take:Â
Begin with a full audit - automated tools like axe, Lighthouse, or WAVE can help, but expert manual testing is essential.Â
Integrate accessibility into your development process from the beginning. This isn’t a one-time fix - it’s an ongoing discipline.Â
Align your partners. If you’re working with digital agencies or platform providers, make WCAG compliance a requirement in your specs.Â
Be transparent. Publish an accessibility statement. Show buyers you take this seriously - it adds weight in competitive bids.Â
When you integrate into someone else’s digital infrastructure - especially in the public sector - your technical standards become their problem. The good news? Getting accessibility right not only protects you from being excluded, it positions you as the safer, smarter choice.Â
Accessibility is no longer just an ethical issue. It’s a strategic one.Â