Website accessibility under the BFSG, checked and fixed
I test your website with a keyboard and a screen reader and fix whatever stops customers from ordering or booking. I also write the accessibility information German law asks you to publish.
Tested by hand, to WCAG 2.2 level AA
Does the BFSG apply to your website?
Three questions based on the wording of the German law (BFSG), which implements the European Accessibility Act. You get a first reading, not legal advice.
A first reading of the law, not legal advice. Your legal advisor gives the binding answer. Read the law (German)
What the law asks of your website
Four duties from the BFSG and its ordinance, in plain words. Each comes with its source.
Every customer can perceive and use your pages
The ordinance asks for websites that are perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. In practice: text for images, enough contrast, everything reachable with a keyboard.
§ 12 no. 3 BFSGVSigning in and paying work for everyone
If your website offers a customer account, identification or payment, these steps must be accessible too.
§ 19 BFSGVYou describe publicly how your website complies
In your terms or another clearly visible place: a description of your service, how it meets the requirements, and the competent market surveillance authority.
§ 14(1) BFSG, Annex 3New pages stay accessible
The duty lasts as long as you offer the service. When you change your website, new pages and features must meet the requirements as well.
§ 14(3) BFSG
- June 28, 2025the law applies to services for consumers since this date§ 1(3) BFSG
- On requestconsumers and associations can call in market surveillance§ 32 BFSG
- €100,000highest fine if a service is not accessible§ 37(2) BFSG
How your website becomes accessible
After every step you know what is done and what is still open.
- 01TestI go through your key pages with keyboard and screen reader and measure the contrast, from the home page to checkout.You get: Report with every finding
- 02FixI fix the issues in your website's code, the worst first. You see every stage on a preview address.You get: Corrected website
- 03RetestI test everything again and give you a list: what now passes and what is still open.You get: List to WCAG 2.2 AA
- 04Publish the informationI write the text that describes how your website meets the requirements. Your legal advisor does the final legal check.You get: Text per Annex 3 BFSG
Fixed price after the intro call
The effort mainly depends on how many different page types your website has. After the intro call you get a written quote.
This page is accessible too
I tested it against the same criteria as your website.
- Automated test with axe-core0 issues
- Whole page usable with a keyboardyes
- Text contrast per WCAG 1.4.3passes
TabTry it: press the Tab key and an outline shows you where you are.
Tested on Nov 8, 2026
“He brings a lot of experience in Webflow development, SEO and accessible web design, which is really impressive.”
Questions about the BFSG and accessibility
Christian Schmitt answersThe BFSG, short for the German Accessibility Strengthening Act, is the law that implements Directive (EU) 2019/882, the European Accessibility Act. Certain products and services must be findable, accessible and usable by people with disabilities without particular difficulty and, in principle, without help from others (§ 3(1)). For websites this mainly concerns services on which consumers enter into a contract.
Christian Schmitt answersSince June 28, 2025. It applies to services provided to consumers after that date (§ 1(3) BFSG). The transitional rules in § 38 mainly concern devices and contracts concluded before that date.
Christian Schmitt answersThe law is tied to contracts with consumers (§ 2 no. 26 BFSG). If you only sell to businesses, it doesn’t mention your website. If you serve both consumers and businesses, the consumer part counts. If in doubt, ask your legal advisor.
Christian Schmitt answersMicro-enterprises that provide services are exempt from the requirements (§ 3(3) BFSG). A micro-enterprise employs fewer than ten people and has an annual turnover or balance sheet total of no more than 2 million euros (§ 2 no. 17). The exemption doesn’t cover products such as computers or e-readers.
Christian Schmitt answersThe market surveillance authority asks you to fix the issues within a deadline. If that doesn’t happen, it can order you to stop offering the service (§ 29 BFSG). A fine of up to 100,000 euros is also possible (§ 37). Consumers and recognized associations can request proceedings too (§ 32).
Christian Schmitt answersPer Annex 3 BFSG: a general description of your service in an accessible format, explanations needed to understand how it works, a description of how it meets the requirements, and the competent market surveillance authority. The information goes into your terms or another clearly visible place.
Christian Schmitt answersWCAG 2.2 by the W3C, level AA. The law itself doesn’t prescribe a specific standard. It presumes that a website meets the requirements if it conforms to the harmonized European standards (§ 4 BFSG).
Christian Schmitt answersAn overlay puts a toolbar on top of the page, for example for larger text or other colors. Missing labels, a wrong tab order or forms without error messages sit in your website's code. I fix them where they are.
Christian Schmitt answersThe effort depends on how many different page types your website has and how many issues the test finds. After the free intro call you get a written fixed-price quote.
