The EAA in Germany: BFSG and BITV 2.0
Germany has transposed the European Accessibility Act into national law through the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG). Here is what you need to know about compliance in the German market.
BITV 2.0 and EN 301 549
In Germany, public sector bodies are governed by <a href="https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bitv_2_0/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">BITV 2.0</a>, while the private sector falls under the BFSG. Both ultimately point to the European standard <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32019L0882" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">EN 301 549</a>, which requires WCAG 2.1 AA conformance.
The BFSG Transposition
The <a href="https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bfsg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">BFSG (Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz)</a> takes effect on June 28, 2025. It mandates that critical products and services, particularly in e-commerce, banking, and transport, must be accessible to users in Germany.
Who is in scope?
If your business sells products or services to consumers in Germany, you must comply with the BFSG, regardless of where your company is headquartered. Micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees and under €2m turnover) providing services are exempt.
Market Surveillance
In Germany, market surveillance authorities of the federal states (Bundesländer) are responsible for enforcing the BFSG. They have the power to demand accessibility statements, issue fines, and halt the sale of non-compliant products.