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Blog · March 18, 2025

The German Accessibility Strengthening Act for Online Shops: What You Need to Know from 2025

Do you run an online shop? Then the German Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) will become relevant for you from 2025. Why? Because it sets clear requirements for

The German Accessibility Strengthening Act for Online Shops: What You Need to Know from 2025

Do you run an online shop? Then the German Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) will become relevant for you from 2025. Why? Because it sets clear requirements for digital accessibility – and failure to comply carries serious risks.

In this article you will learn:

  • Why accessibility is especially important for online retailers
  • Which legal obligations the BFSG specifically prescribes
  • How to adapt your shop step by step
  • Tools and checklists for fast implementation

Let's get started!

1. Why accessibility is a game-changer for your online shop

Imagine: 20% of your potential customers cannot use your shop. Because the font is too small, the colors too pale, or the navigation too complicated. These are not hypothetical figures – around 1.3 million people in Germany have a visual impairment, and millions more live with motor or cognitive limitations.

Accessibility means: your shop becomes usable for everyone – regardless of physical or technical prerequisites. And it pays off!

Benefits you'll feel right away:

  • More revenue: You reach up to 20% more customers.
  • Better SEO: Accessible shops rank higher on Google (more on that later).
  • Less legal risk: From 2025, you otherwise face cease-and-desist warnings.
  • Positive image: You position yourself as an inclusive company.

An example: A German fashion online retailer optimized its product pages with alt texts and clear contrasts. Result: +15% conversion rate among older users and screen reader users.

Accessibility is therefore not a "nice-to-have" – but a competitive advantage. But what exactly does the new law require?

2. The German Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG): What you need to know

The BFSG transposes the European Accessibility Act (EAA) into German law. From June 28, 2025 it applies to:

  • Online shops
  • E-banking services
  • Ticketing portals
  • Apps from companies with 10 or more employees or €2 million in revenue

In concrete terms, this means: Your shop must meet the WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. These international guidelines are the gold standard for accessible websites.

What happens if you don't upgrade?

  • Cease-and-desist warnings: Competitors or associations can take legal action against you.
  • Fines: The amount varies by federal state.
  • Image damage: Negative headlines such as "Shop XY discriminates against the visually impaired."

But don't worry – with the right strategy, your shop will be ready for 2025.

3. The 5 biggest barriers in online shops – and how to remove them

According to a study by Aktion Mensch, users with disabilities particularly often fail because of:

  1. Illegible text (too little contrast, no zoom option)
  2. Unusable elements (dropdown menus that only work with a mouse)
  3. Missing image descriptions (product photos without alt texts)
  4. Complicated ordering processes (unclear error messages at checkout)
  5. Incompatible assistive technologies (screen readers cannot recognize buttons)

The good news: Many solutions are easy to implement.

4. Step-by-step guide: How to make your shop accessible

Step 1: Check the status quo

Use tools like WAVE or Lighthouse to find weak points. These tools flag directly:

  • Missing alt texts
  • Contrast problems
  • Keyboard traps

Free tools:

Step 2: Prioritize quick wins

  • Add alt texts: Describe each product image briefly and precisely (e.g. "Women's leather shoe, color red, 5 cm heel").
  • Adjust color contrasts: Use the WebAIM Contrast Checker to ensure minimum contrasts (4.5:1).
  • Optimize forms: Add labels (e.g. "First name" instead of just an empty input field).

Step 3: Tackle complex barriers

  • Test keyboard navigation: Can customers operate the shopping cart without a mouse?
  • Check mobile usability: Does the shop work on small screens? Are buttons large enough (at least 44×44 pixels)?
  • Make dynamic elements screen-reader compatible: Add ARIA labels for filter dropdowns and live search.

Step 4: Document and train

  • Create an accessibility statement (mandatory from 2025!).
  • Train your team – especially editors (for alt texts) and developers.

5. Checklist: Is your shop ready for the BFSG?

Here are the most important points at a glance:

✅ All images have meaningful alt texts.
✅ Color contrasts (text/background) are at least 4.5:1.
✅ Form fields are linked to labels (no placeholders as a substitute).
✅ Keyboard navigation is fully functional (test with the Tab key!).
✅ Videos have subtitles/transcripts.
✅ Headings are hierarchically correct (<h1> through <h3>).
✅ Error messages at checkout are clearly worded (e.g. "Please enter a valid email address").

Still missing something? Use the WCAG Quick Reference to check off all the criteria.

6. Tools and resources for implementation

Conclusion: Act now – before it gets expensive

The German Accessibility Strengthening Act is coming in 2025 – but preparation takes time. Start now with small steps:

  1. Analyze your shop with free tools.
  2. Train your team for accessible content.
  3. Implement the WCAG standards systematically.

Need support? As an expert for accessible online shops, I'm happy to help – contact me directly.

Your benefits: More customers, less risk, better usability. What are you waiting for?

Want more tips? In my blog you'll find articles on SEO for online shops and conversion optimization.

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