BFSG, one year on: what really changed for websites

The German Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) came into force on 28 June 2025. A good year on, a sober look is worth it: what has actually changed for website and shop operators — and what is still being misunderstood today?

What it’s about

The BFSG transposes the European Accessibility Act into German law. It requires many companies with digital products and services to make their offerings accessible — the focus is on electronic commerce, i.e. online shops, bookable services, banking, telecommunications and e-books. The technical benchmark is the WCAG, anchored in Europe via the EN 301 549 standard. Details in the BFSG guide.

What many still get wrong

Three misunderstandings come up again and again:

“This only applies to large companies.” The microenterprise exemption (fewer than 10 employees, no more than €2 million turnover) only applies to services — not across the board. Many small shops are affected.

“A widget makes me compliant.” No. An on-screen menu improves usability, but compliance only emerges once the causes in the code are fixed. Anyone promising “compliance at the push of a button” promises too much.

“Nothing happened anyway.” The obligation applies regardless of whether anyone is checking right now. For certain existing offerings, transition periods run in part until 2030 — that’s a deferral, not a free pass.

What has moved since then

What has changed most noticeably is awareness. Accessibility has gone from a niche topic to an item on many project and relaunch plans. Agencies offer audits, the accessibility statement appears more often in footers, and tenders increasingly ask for WCAG conformance. At the same time, the same shortcut promises — “one click, done” — still circulate and only shift the actual problem. Those who take the topic seriously now even gain a competitive advantage: a site everyone can use loses fewer customers along the way.

What you should do now

Get an honest overview: operate your site once using only the keyboard, run an automated test and work through the findings. An accessibility statement is part of it. We’ve summarised the practical roadmap in the guide make your website accessible.

A year after the deadline, the most important insight is simply this: accessibility isn’t a one-off project but an attitude. Those who start early have it easier — legally and for their own users.

This article is not legal advice.