Check if your site complies with accessibility standards yet?
Here's an informal, approachable, and straightforward rewrite of the provided article, incorporating relevant insights from the enrichment data when applicable:
The Barrier-Free Strengthening Act (BFSG) is on its way, poised to shake up the digital landscape in Germany starting June 28, 2025. This law aims to make online content accessible to everyone, particularly individuals with disabilities. So, it's high time businesses wise up and ensure their websites and e-commerce platforms are ready for this game-changer.
Who's this law gunning for?
Basically, this law targets any business peddling products or services. Come June 2025, everything they put out must be disability-friendly. That means new devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones, along with machines like cash and ticket machines, and even services like transportation, communication, and e-business transactions.
Are there any exemptions?
You bet! Here are a couple:
- Small Fry: If you've got a team of fewer than 10 employees and your annual turnover is less than €2 million, you're off the hook. The burdens of rolling out these accessibility features could be too heavy for businesses in this bracket.
- Medium-Sized Hustlers: If your gang's smaller than 50 and your yearly earnings are under €10 million, you might escape some accessibility requirements. However, you'll need to convince the folks in charge that implementing these changes would be a hassle for you. Make sure you've got a solid argument ready!
What about services?
The accessibility requirements for digital services, like online stores, are extensive. Think about making information available in multiple ways, like through text-to-speech, having easy navigation, readable fonts, and more. The specific requirements for each service or product are outlined in the Regulation on the Implementation of the Barrier-Free Act (section 12).
Need a hand?
If accessibility is a new ballgame for your company, it might be smart to consult experts or agencies who specialize in this area. They can help guide you through the process and make sure you're covered on all fronts.
Check out the gurus at blick-fang Webdesign:
Phone: 02607 9740906Email: [email protected]: www.blick-fang.eu
Enrichment Data:
This law covers a broad spectrum of businesses and services, particularly those offering consumer-facing digital products and services. It also extends to physical products such as electronics, ATMs, and ticketing machines, as well as electronic communications and media services like television, online video platforms, and telecommunication services.
Small businesses (with fewer than 10 employees and less than €2 million in annual turnover) are exempt from service-related accessibility requirements if they exclusively offer services. However, they must comply if manufacturing covered products. Additionally, B2B products and services used exclusively for internal business purposes, private, non-commercial websites or apps without profit intentions, intranets/extranets published before June 28, 2025, and archived content are exempt. If compliance creates an undue economic or technical burden, businesses may seek exemption but must document justification. The BFSG comes into force on June 28, 2025, and companies must ensure compliance by this date to avoid fines.
- In light of the Barrier-Free Strengthening Act (BFSG), businesses offering digital services like transportation or communication must make their platforms accessible to all, including people with disabilities, with compliance required from June 28, 2025.
- As technology continues to advance, transportation services and other consumer-facing digital products and services are expected to adhere to the extensive accessibility requirements outlined in the Barrier-Free Strengthening Act (BFSG), which goes into effect on June 28, 2025.
