BehiG: Digital Accessibility Becomes Mandatory in Switzerland
With the partial revision of the Disability Equality Act (BehiG), private companies in Switzerland will also have to make their digital offerings accessible from January 1, 2027. Anyone who makes websites, online shops, or apps publicly accessible is affected. SiteCockpit supports you with a modular complete solution for implementation: from automated testing to AI-supported alt texts to live translation.
What is the BehiG?
The Disability Equality Act (BehiG) has been in force since January 1, 2004, and forms the legal basis for the equal treatment of people with disabilities in Switzerland. So far, the law has mainly obliged the federal government, cantons, and municipalities to make their digital offerings accessible. Private companies were hardly addressed.
This is now changing fundamentally: On December 20, 2024, the Federal Council adopted the message on the partial revision of the BehiG and referred it to Parliament. The revision significantly expands the scope of application and for the first time also obliges private service providers who offer publicly accessible commercial or cultural services.
This closes a gap in Switzerland and approaches European standards: While the European Accessibility Act (EAA) has been in force in the EU since June 28, 2025, the revised BehiG creates comparable requirements for the Swiss market.
Entry into force expected January 1, 2027
Private companies affected for the first time
Oriented towards WCAG 2.2 and EU standards
What changes for private companies?
The partial revision of the BehiG brings a paradigm shift: For the first time, private providers are also obliged to make their digital services accessible. The decisive factor is whether a company offers publicly accessible commercial or cultural services, i.e., those that are directed at an indefinite group of users via digital channels.
The Federal Council is also to receive the competence to set binding minimum standards for digital accessibility, which are oriented towards international and European regulations. For companies, this means: The preparation time is running.
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Private providers of publicly accessible services are obliged for the first time
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Affected are online shops, booking portals, banking apps, gastronomy apps, and digital communication services
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The Federal Council receives the competence to set binding minimum standards
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Companies have approximately 1.5 years of preparation time after adoption
Deadlines and Timeline: The Path to the Revised BehiG
The partial revision is currently going through the parliamentary process. On March 28, 2025, the Science, Education and Culture Commission of the National Council (WBK-N) decided unanimously to enter into the proposal. This is a strong signal for broad political support.
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December 2024: Federal Council adopts message on partial revision
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March 2025: WBK-N decides to enter without opposition
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2026: Parliamentary deliberation in National and Council of States
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January 1, 2027: Planned entry into force of the revised BehiG
The planned entry into force is January 1, 2027. For companies, this means: After adoption by Parliament, there will probably be about one and a half years for preparation. Anyone who acts now gains a decisive advantage and avoids time pressure shortly before the deadline.
BehiG and EAA: Synergies for Swiss Companies
The partial revision of the BehiG deliberately orients itself towards European regulations: the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and EU Directive 2016/2102. For Swiss companies with customers in the EU area, moreover: The EAA has been binding since June 28, 2025, also for providers outside the EU, provided they are active in the European market.
Anyone who prepares for the BehiG today also fulfills the requirements of the EAA and vice versa. Both laws are based on the WCAG guidelines (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and pursue the same goal: digital participation for all people, whether with disabilities or not.
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BehiG revision orients itself towards EU Directives 2016/2102 and 2019/882 (EAA)
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EAA applies since June 28, 2025, also to Swiss companies with EU customers
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Both laws are based on WCAG 2.2 AA as technical standard
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In Switzerland, the standard eCH-0059 is additionally used
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Invest once, benefit twice: BehiG compliance = EAA compliance
Who is affected by the revised BehiG?
The decisive factor is whether you offer publicly accessible commercial or cultural services via digital channels. This affects significantly more companies than many think.
E-Commerce and Online Retail
Online shops, booking portals, e-banking, insurance portals, and all digital offerings aimed at end consumers. In Switzerland, every third SME operates an online shop.
Gastronomy, Hospitality, and Culture
Restaurants with digital menus or self-service apps, hotels with online booking, cinemas, theaters, sports stadiums, and event venues with digital ticket platforms.
Service Providers and Communication
Internet providers, digital communication services, job portals, real estate platforms, and all companies that direct digital services to an indefinite group of users.
Around 1.8 million people in Switzerland live with a disability
Accessible websites improve SEO and conversion for all people
Acting early saves costs and avoids time pressure
Technical Requirements: WCAG 2.2 and eCH-0059
The technical basis for digital accessibility in Switzerland is formed by the international Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) in version 2.2 at conformity level AA. In Switzerland, the standard eCH-0059 (version 3) specifies these requirements for the local market.
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WCAG 2.2 AA is the international reference standard
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eCH-0059 v3 specifies the WCAG for Switzerland
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Four basic principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust
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SiteCockpit checks automatically according to these standards
The WCAG are based on four basic principles: Perceivability (e.g., alt texts for images, subtitles for videos, sufficient contrasts), Operability (e.g., full keyboard navigation), Understandability (e.g., clear menu structure, consistent navigation), and Robustness (e.g., compatibility with screen readers and assistive technologies).
SiteCockpit automatically checks your website according to WCAG 2.2 AA and provides prioritized recommendations in your dashboard. With easyAlt, you generate missing alt texts automatically, with easyTranslate, you make your content accessible in multiple languages.
How SiteCockpit Supports Swiss Companies
SiteCockpit offers all the tools you need for the implementation of the BehiG: automated checks, AI-supported corrections, and legally secure documentation. Developed and hosted in Europe, GDPR-compliant.
easyMonitoring
Automated checking of your website according to WCAG 2.2 AA. Prioritized task lists, PDF reports, and traceable progress measurement in the dashboard.
easyVision
The frontend widget for your visitors: Contrast, font size, reading modes, keyboard navigation, and more. Integrated in a few minutes.
easyStatement
Create your accessibility statement in a few clicks. Multilingual, exportable as HTML or PDF, compliant with BehiG and EAA.
easyAI
AI-supported alt texts with easyAlt and live translations powered by DeepL with easyTranslate. Automated and included in every package.
How BehiG-compliant is your website? Check now.
Test for free how well your website meets key requirements for digital accessibility, including missing alt texts, contrasts, keyboard navigation, and other WCAG criteria. Simply enter the URL, no registration required.
Prepare now, ready in 2027
In Five Steps to BehiG Compliance
1. Inventory: Check your website with our free live check and identify existing barriers.
2. Set up monitoring: Activate easyMonitoring for automated, regular checking according to WCAG 2.2 AA.
3. Implement immediate measures: Integrate easyVision as an assistance widget and generate missing alt texts with easyAlt.
4. Activate multilingualism: With easyTranslate powered by DeepL, translate your website live into over 27 languages.
5. Create documentation: Generate your accessibility statement with easyStatement, compliant with BehiG and EAA.
Frequently Asked Questions about BehiG and Digital Accessibility in Switzerland
The Disability Equality Act (BehiG) has been in force since 2004 and so far mainly obliges the public sector (e.g., the federal government) to accessibility. The partial revision expands the scope: For the first time, private companies are also obliged to make their digital offerings accessible for people with disabilities, provided they offer publicly accessible commercial or cultural services.
The BehiG is coming. Are you ready?
Start now with SiteCockpit and prepare your website for the BehiG requirements. 7 days free, all products included.
No credit card required.