🌍 Digital Accessibility Becomes Mandatory: The BFSG Explained for Businesses

SEO Meta Description: Barrierefreiheit wird Pflicht: Das Barrierefreiheits­stärkungsgesetz (BFSG) requires accessible digital offerings in Germany from June 28, 2025—discover what this means for your company and how to comply.

Introduction

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As of June 28, 2025, Germany’s Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) mandates digital accessibility across many business sectors. The law extends accessibility requirements beyond public institutions to a broad range of private companies—even small ones in some cases—aligning national standards with the EU’s European Accessibility Act (EAA).LinkedIn+14pcg.io+14DemoUp Cliplister+14

This blog explains who’s impacted, what must be made accessible, the deadlines, and practical steps for compliance—all while highlighting the risks of neglect—and the potential gains for companies that embrace accessibility early.

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⚖️ What Is the BFSG—and Why It Matters

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The BFSG is Germany’s legal implementation of the EU Directive 2019/882 (EAA), aiming to ensure access to digital services and products for people with disabilities, older adults, and temporarily impaired users.DLA Piper+4pcg.io+4activeMind.legal+4

It shifts the digital accessibility burden from public institutions (under BITV 2.0/BGG) onto private sector providers, including online shops, booking platforms, banking portals, apps, and technical devices like ATMs and ticket terminals.Friendly Captcha+8svaerm Online Marketing Frankfurt+8Skynet Technologies USA LLC+8

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👥 Who Is Affected

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Affected Entities:

• Providers of digital products: smartphones, tablets, e-book readers, software interfaces, ATMs, payment terminals.pcg.io
  
  
• B2C service providers, including e-commerce platforms, online booking systems, banks, telecoms, transport operators, media and streaming services.pcg.io
  
  

Exemptions:

• Micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees and ≤ €2 million annual turnover or balance sheet) providing services may be exempt. But if they market products, the exemption does not apply.Bird & Bird+9Taylor Wessing+9Friendly Captcha+9
  
  

🗓️ Deadlines and Transition Rules

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• By June 28, 2025: All new digital products and services must comply with accessibility standards.Fieldfisher+13pcg.io+13Friendly Captcha+13
  
  
• A transition period until 2030 applies to existing offerings, giving businesses time to retrofit older content.pcg.io
  
  

✅ Accessibility Requirements (WCAG‑Based)

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Compliance relies on meeting WCAG 2.1 AA criteria and the European standard EN 301 549, which ensure digital offerings are:

• Perceivable (e.g. alt texts, subtitles, high contrast)
  
  
• Operable via keyboard and assistive tech
  
  
• Understandable through clear language and predictable layouts
  
  
• Robust, so interfaces work reliably with screen readers and various devicesFriendly Captcha+8pcg.io+8DemoUp Cliplister+8
  
  

Additionally, companies must publish a public accessibility statement detailing their compliance and user feedback procedures.Taylor Wessing+6AudioEye+6svaerm Online Marketing Frankfurt+6

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🚫 Consequences of Non-Compliance

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• Administrative fines up to €100,000.
  
  
• Possible forced shutdown of non-compliant websites or apps.
  
  
• Civil claims from consumer groups or competitors alleging unfair competition.Friendly Captcha+2consentmanager - English+2pcg.io+2DemoUp Cliplister
  
  
• Loss in brand reputation, accessibility reviews, and customer trust.SeitzDMEXCO
  
  

🛠️ First Steps to Compliance

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1. Audit your digital assets with tools like Google Lighthouse, WAVE, or axe DevTools. Don’t forget real user testing with disabled users.pcg.io
   
   
2. Train teams in accessible design and inclusive development.
   
   
3. Implement fixes:
   
   
   
   • Add alt text, improve color contrast, support keyboard navigation
     
     
   • Include subtitles, transcripts, clear form labels
     
     
   • Avoid auto-playing media
     
     
4. Create an Accessibility Statement with compliance info and feedback options.pcg.io
   
   
5. Maintain compliance with regular audits and updates, especially for existing legacy content.pcg.ioJD Supra
   
   

🌟 Why Early Adoption Pays Off

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• Broader market reach: millions of users with disabilities can now use your digital offers.pcg.io
  
  
• Boosted usability for everyone: clear structure and easier navigation improves experience across the board.
  
  
• Stronger positioning as a socially responsible brand committed to inclusion.
  
  
• Better SEO: improved structure, alt text, and readability often lead to better rankings.custom-interactions.com+4Consulteer+4BankingHub+4Consulteer+11heuking.de+11Consulteer+11
  
  

📚 FAQs

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❓ What exactly must be made accessible?
Any digital product or service offered to consumers in Germany—including websites, apps, online shops, booking tools, banking platforms, and e‑book interfaces—must comply.consentmanager - English+2pcg.io+2Orrick+2

❓ Are micro-enterprises fully exempt?
Not always. Exemptions apply only to services, not products. If a small business offers products, BFSG still applies.LinkedIn+6Friendly Captcha+6Taylor Wessing+6

❓ How should an accessibility statement be structured?
It should describe the accessible features, explain how compliance is ensured, include feedback channels, and list supervisory authority details.linkedin.comCookieScript

❓ What if I sell both B2B and B2C?
Only offerings directed at consumers are covered. You must clearly mark B2B-only content to avoid misclassification.OrrickOrrick

❓ Do public bodies still follow BITV 2.0?
Yes. BITV / BGG requirements remain in force for public institutions; BFSG brings similar standards into the private sector.heuking.de+11svaerm Online Marketing Frankfurt+11AudioEye+11

❓ Are templates or tools available to support compliance?
Yes—accessible testing tools (axe DevTools, WAVE), accessibility plugins, compliance checklists, and consultancies specializing in BFSG implementation.pcg.io

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🧭 Conclusion

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The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) is a major milestone for digital inclusion in Germany. From 28 June 2025 onward, companies must ensure products and services are accessible by design. While non-compliance carries steep risks, early adoption empowers businesses to win over underserved audiences, enhance usability, and strengthen brand trust.

📌 Pro tip: Start now with an accessibility audit—plan implementation in phases—making compliance a strategic advantage rather than a legal chore.

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