| 28 Jun 2025 | BFSG compliance deadline — applies uniformly, no grace period |
|---|---|
| €100,000 | Max fine under §37 BFSG for serious/systematic non-conformance |
| <10 / ≤€2M | Micro-enterprise exemption threshold (employees / turnover) |
| WCAG 2.2 AA | BFSGV's technical benchmark for private digital services |
Three laws at a glance
None of the three replaces another — they sit alongside each other, each with a different reach.
| Three laws at a glance | BGG | BITV 2.0 | BFSG |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | General disability equality law | Federal technical ordinance under the BGG | Standalone law implementing the EU's EAA |
| Who it covers | Federal public bodies | Federal public bodies (websites, apps, intranets, admin processes) | Private economic operators offering covered products/services |
| Technical reference | None directly — delegates to BITV 2.0 | EN 301 549 (currently WCAG 2.1 AA) | BFSGV → EN 301 549 + WCAG 2.2 AA (digital services) |
| Enforcement | Verbandsklage, Schlichtungsstelle BGG mediation | BFIT-Bund advice/assessment, administrative court | Market surveillance authorities, fines up to €100,000, Abmahnung risk |
| In force since | 2002 (revised 2016) | 25 May 2019 (current version) | 28 June 2025 |
Timeline
| Law | Key milestone | Date |
|---|---|---|
| BGG | General disability equality framework in force for public bodies | 2002, revised 2016 |
| BITV 2.0 | Current version, referencing EN 301 549, in force | 25 May 2019 |
| BFSG | Passed into law | 2021 |
| BFSG / BFSGV | Compliance obligations became applicable | 28 June 2025 |
Who the BFSG covers
The BFSG binds specific categories of products and services — not businesses in general.
- Hardware manufacturers/importers/distributors — computers, operating systems, smartphones, tablets, e-readers, self-service terminals (ATMs, ticket machines, payment terminals)
- E-commerce service providers — most consumer-facing online stores, regardless of business size
- Consumer banking service providers — including the apps and websites delivering those services
- E-book and e-reading software providers
- Telecommunications & passenger transport services — electronic tickets, travel information, interactive terminals
Exemptions
- Micro-enterprise exemption — <10 employees and ≤€2M turnover/balance sheet; applies to service obligations only, not to product manufacturers of any size
- Disproportionate burden / fundamental alteration — case-by-case, available to any covered business; must be documented, burden of proof sits with the business
Enforcement & penalties
€100,000
Max fine (§37 BFSG) — substantive violations, e.g. providing an inaccessible service
€10,000
Max fine — violation of information, labeling, and documentation duties
- BITV 2.0: Federal bodies only. BFIT-Bund monitors, Schlichtungsstelle BGG mediates. No fines. Associations can sue.
- BFSG: The MLBF first issues a correction order. If not complied with, it can restrict or ban the service, or impose fines.
Standards referenced
Laws establish who must comply and by when; technical standards define what "accessible" means in testable terms.
| Law | Points to | Effective WCAG level |
|---|---|---|
| BITV 2.0 (public sector) | EN 301 549 | WCAG 2.1 AA |
| BFSG / BFSGV (private sector) | EN 301 549 + WCAG directly | WCAG 2.2 AA (digital services) |
EN 301 549 is the broader standard; WCAG covers web content specifically. EN 301 549 also covers non-web documents (PDFs), hardware for self-service terminals, and support services WCAG doesn't touch.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BFSG the same as the European Accessibility Act?
No. The EAA is an EU directive that doesn't bind businesses directly — each member state transposes it into national law. The BFSG is Germany's transposition.
Does the BFSG apply to foreign companies selling in Germany?
Yes, if the company offers a covered product or service to consumers in Germany, regardless of where the company is headquartered.
Does BITV 2.0 apply to private businesses?
No. BITV 2.0 binds federal public bodies specifically; private businesses are governed by the BFSG instead.
Is WCAG legally required in Germany?
Not by direct citation — neither the BGG nor the BFSG names WCAG in the statutory text. It's referenced indirectly through EN 301 549 and the BFSGV's technical requirements.
Who must publish an accessibility statement?
Both public bodies (under BITV 2.0) and BFSG-covered private businesses (under §14, often labeled "Informationen zur Barrierefreiheit"), except qualifying micro-enterprises exempt from the BFSG entirely.
Source
- Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG), §37 — fine provisions
- Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz-Verordnung (BFSGV) — technical requirements
- Gesetz zur Gleichstellung von Menschen mit Behinderungen (BGG)
- Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung (BITV 2.0)
- Directive (EU) 2019/882 — European Accessibility Act
