As of June 28, 2025, Germany’s Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) will come into force, shifting digital accessibility from an ethical responsibility to a legal obligation. This national law is based on the European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882), which is binding across all EU member states.
The regulation will significantly impact user interfaces across various sectors, from banking to e-commerce, mobile apps to digital documents—requiring a comprehensive rethinking of digital experience design across Europe in line with accessibility standards.
What Does This Mean and How Should Organizations Prepare?
📌 What is BFSG and What Does It Cover?
The BFSG is a German regulation designed to ensure digital services are accessible to individuals with disabilities. However, its scope is not limited to Germany—any company operating in the European Digital Market must comply.
Covered Platforms Include:
- 🌐 Websites and online banking platforms
- 📱 Mobile applications (iOS & Android)
- 🎟️ Electronic ticketing systems
- 🛒 E-commerce platforms and digital documents
- ⚙️ Any user-facing interfaces (kiosks, PDFs, customer portals, etc.)
📏 Applicable Standards
To comply with BFSG, organizations must adhere to the following technical standards:
- EN 301 549: The European standard for accessibility requirements of ICT products and services
- WCAG 2.1 A/AA: The globally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
These standards are based on four key principles (POUR):
- Perceivable
- Operable
- Understandable
- Robust
🛠️ Auditing and BaFin-Specific Requirements
In Germany, BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) enforces detailed checklists based on specific clauses of EN 301 549, especially for the financial sector. Organizations must assess and remediate accessibility gaps in their digital platforms according to these criteria.
✅ Virgosol’s Role in Your Accessibility Journey
At Virgosol, our goal is not only to support legal compliance but also to enhance user experience and strengthen brand reputation.
Our Step-by-Step Approach:
- Compliance Analysis: In-depth scanning of websites and mobile apps against EN 301 549 and WCAG 2.1
- Technical Reporting: Documentation of issues with annotated screenshots, impact assessments, and solution proposals
- Team Enablement: Collaboration with development teams and integration into project tracking systems
- Validation Testing: Re-tests, regression checks, and final compliance reporting
Tools We Use:
- WAVE, axe DevTools, Lighthouse: Automated accessibility testing tools
- NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver: Screen reader evaluations
- Device Farm: Testing across multiple device and OS combinations
- Keyboard & Focus Testing: Ensuring full keyboard navigation and logical focus flow
🎯 Why Act Now?
🔐 Legal Compliance
All digital systems subject to accessibility audits from June 28, 2025, must meet these standards to avoid legal sanctions.
👥 Reach Broader Audiences
Accessibility also benefits elderly users, those with temporary impairments, and users with limited digital literacy—not just individuals with permanent disabilities.
🏁 Gain Competitive Advantage
Achieving compliance early positions your brand not only ahead of regulatory deadlines but also as a leader in responsibility and inclusivity.
📅 Our Recommended Action Plan
| Phase | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Audit | 3 days | Preliminary scan for accessibility gaps |
| Detailed Reporting | 15 days | Full documentation of all issues and remediation guidance |
| Re-testing | 7 days | Validation of fixes and delivery of the final compliance report |
🤝 Conclusion: Accessibility Is No Longer Optional
Virgosol provides a full end-to-end compliance solution—not just testing, but transformation. While we ensure accessibility compliance for your digital products, we also elevate your user experience and future-proof your brand.
If you aim to thrive in the European digital market and reach every segment of society, the time to act is now.
Contact us—let’s make your digital platforms accessible together.
Author: Dr. Fatih M. HARMANCI
