BFSG is there! What you have to consider with a website.

26. Juni 2025Gesetze

The BFSG stands for the Barrier-Free Strengthening Act. It was announced in Germany on July 22, 2021 and serves to implement the EU Directive (EU) 2019/882, also known as the European Accessibility Act (EAA). The goal of the law is to improve barrier-free access to products and services for people with disabilities.

Here are the most important points:

📘 Purpose of the BFSG

The law obliges manufacturers and service providers to design certain products and services in a barrier-free manner in order to improve the participation of people with disabilities in social life.

🧩 Which products and services are affected?

Products:

  • ATMs, payment terminals

  • Computers (hardware), smartphones

  • E-book readers

  • Payment card readers

  • TV receivers with interactive functions

Services:

  • Banking services for consumers (e.g. online banking)

  • E-commerce (web shops)

  • Telecommunication services

  • Passenger transport services (e.g. ticket vending machines)

  • Access to audiovisual media (e.g. barrier-free video text, subtitling)

📅 Timeline / Entry into force

  • Effective from: June 28, 2025 (companies must implement the requirements by then)

  • Transition period for small businesses (less than 10 employees and less than 2 million euros annual turnover): They are exempt from the obligation, but can offer barrier-free services voluntarily.

⚙️ What does "barrier-free" mean in the BFSG?

The law is based on existing standards and guidelines, including:

  • EN 301 549 (for digital accessibility)

  • WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)

Barrier-free in the sense of the BFSG means that information, communication, technology, and services must be designed so that they can be used by all people - regardless of disability.

🏢 Who is responsible for monitoring?

The market surveillance authorities of the federal states check compliance. There is also a complaint system for consumers if barriers occur.

📝 Important terms in the law

  • Essential functionality: The main goal or main benefit of a product or service.

  • Disproportionate burden: There are exceptions if implementation is technically or economically not possible.

If you want, I can also create a summary as a PDF or a checklist for companies for you.

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