The German Accessibility Improvement Act (BFSG)

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The digital world is developing rapidly, but not everyone can participate equally. The German Accessibility Improvement Act (BFSG), which came into force on 28 June 2025, marks a turning point: for the first time, the private sector in Germany is legally obliged to make their products and services accessible. Ignorance is no longer an option.

We are your experts in IT law and data protection law and will guide you safely through the new requirements of the BFSG. Take steps to ensure your company meets compliance requirements, while also exploring new market potential and optimize your customer experience.

Your added value through BFSG compliance

Protect your company: Avoid severe fines, cease-and-desist notices from competitors and consumer associations as well as the threat of sales bans and product recalls.
Expand your market: Tap into a broader target group of people with disabilities and functional diversity (such as older people, pregnant women, people with temporary impairment) who will increasingly be looking for accessible offers in the future.
Demonstrate Social Responsibility: Strengthen the trust and loyalty of your customers with an inclusive offering.
Improve Usability: All users benefit from accessible websites, apps and digital processes. Intuitive user journey and clear presentation of information improve usability for society as a whole.
Foster Innovation: Accessibility promotes innovation. Many new technologies and solutions arise from the need to remove barriers.

Get us onboard in case you

are affected by the BFSG requirements as a manufacturer, importer, retailer or service provider.
need to make your online services – in particular online shops, customer portals, booking portals and e-commerce services – BFSG compliant.
sell digital products such as smartphones, tablets, e-book readers, payment terminals, self-service terminals (e.g. cash or ticket machines) or interactive devices for telecommunications and media services.
must create and provide accessible electronic documents (PDF/UA, EPUB).
need clarification of the transition periods and exemptions of the BFSG, especially for micro-enterprises or in the case of disproportionate costs.
need support with compliance assessment, CE labels and technical documentation in accordance with the BFSG.
have questions about the impact of the BFSG on privacy notices and other legal notices on your website.
want to be prepared against group action or cease-and-desist notices pursuant to competition law and in connection with accessibility.

BFSG: What you need to know now

The BFSG implements the European Accessibility Act (EAA). It defines which products and services are accessible: if they can be found, accessed and used by people with disabilities "in the usual way, without particular difficulty and generally without outside help".

Affected areas – your touchstone

Digital services: In particular, e-commerce (online shops, booking platforms, etc.), but also telecommunications services (messenger, VoIP) and payment services for consumers.
Digital products: Smartphones, tablets, e-book readers, self-service terminals (ATMs, ticket machines and check-in machines).

Exceptions & deadlines – create clarity

Micro-enterprises (under 10 employees OR max. €2 million turnover/balance sheet) are exempt from the obligation for services.
Exemption is possible in the event of disproportionate costs or fundamental change to the product/service but must be documented and reported.
The general start date was 28 June 2025, but there are transitional periods for certain products and services until 2030 or 2040 at the latest.

Why compliance is crucial now

Non-compliance can be expensive! The BFSG provides fines of up to €100,000. There is also the threat of competition lawsuits and group actions by consumer and disability organizations.

Your Contact

Contact our expert in this field.

Dr. Bernhard Freund, M.Comp.Sc., LL.M. (Wellington)

Computer Scientist, Lawyer, certified IT Lawyer, certified Data Protection Officer (TÜV) and CIPP/E

Email: bernhard.freund@planit.legal
Phone: +49 (0) 40 609 44 190

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