German Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG): What Businesses Need to Know

The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG), Germany's Accessibility Strengthening Act, regulates accessibility requirements for certain products and services in Germany. It is the national implementation of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and requires manufacturers, distributors and service providers to design their offerings so that people with disabilities can use them without special difficulty and, in principle, without outside help.

The specific requirements are based on the European standard EN 301 549 and the WCAG 2.2 (Level AA). For websites, this means, among other things: full keyboard navigation, sufficient colour contrast, alternative text for images and a clear content structure.

The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz has been fully applicable since 28 June 2025. The law itself was adopted on 22 July 2021 and published on 1 August 2021. For websites and online shops, there is no transition period.

Exceptions: Self-service terminals have a transition period until a maximum of 2040, and certain existing services may continue to operate with existing products until 27 June 2030.

The law applies to manufacturers, distributors, importers and service providers offering certain products or services to consumers. This includes e-commerce, banking services, e-books, telecommunications and passenger transport.

Micro-enterprises providing services are exempt. A micro-enterprise is defined as a business with fewer than 10 employees and a maximum annual turnover or balance sheet total of 2 million euros. This exemption does not apply to product manufacturers.

Market surveillance authorities can impose fines of up to 100,000 euros. They can also restrict or completely prohibit the distribution of products and services.

Additionally, consumers, associations and competitors can issue legal warnings and file injunction claims. A right of action for associations is also provided for in the law.

The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz primarily protects consumers. Pure B2B offerings aimed exclusively at business customers do not fall directly under the law. However, as soon as a digital offering is also available to consumers, the legal obligations apply.

In practice, this affects many businesses that sell to both business and private customers. Moreover, an increasing number of business customers require accessible standards from their suppliers.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is EU Directive 2019/882, which establishes binding accessibility requirements for products and services across the entire EU. The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) is Germany's national transposition of this EU directive into domestic law.

The requirements are largely identical in substance. However, the BFSG specifies the responsibilities of market surveillance authorities, the fines regulations and the exemptions for micro-enterprises in Germany.

A typical BFSG implementation covers the following steps: 1) Determine whether you are affected, 2) Conduct an accessibility audit of your website, 3) Implement prioritised measures, 4) Create a legally compliant accessibility statement, 5) Ensure ongoing monitoring.

SiteCockpit supports you at every step. With the free Live Check, you can start immediately.

The BFSG is aimed at economic operators, i.e. manufacturers, distributors and service providers. Non-profit associations and NGOs are not automatically affected unless they offer services in electronic commerce (e.g. an online shop or paid digital services).

Regardless of the legal obligation, digital accessibility is recommended for associations and NGOs to reach as many people as possible. SiteCockpit provides its solution for NGOs and non-profit associations free of charge.

SiteCockpit offers a modular all-in-one solution for BFSG compliance: easyMonitoring for automated WCAG audits, easyVision as an accessible frontend widget, easyStatement for the legally compliant accessibility statement and easyAI with AI powered alternative texts and translations.

All products are GDPR compliant, developed and hosted in Germany and integrate with popular shop systems and CMS.

The main deadline was 28 June 2025. Since that date, all affected products and services must comply with the accessibility requirements. For websites and online shops, there is no transition period.

Exceptions: Certain services using existing products have a transition period until 27 June 2030. Self-service terminals commissioned before 28 June 2025 may remain in use until the end of their economic lifespan, but no later than 2040.