BFSG Compliance
The Barrierefreiheitsstaerkungsgesetz (BFSG) is Germany's Accessibility Strengthening Act, in effect since June 28, 2025. It mandates that many digital products and services meet accessibility requirements. xyva's Accessibility Auditor provides automated compliance checking against BFSG criteria.
What the BFSG Requires
The BFSG applies to businesses that offer products or services to consumers in Germany, including:
- E-commerce websites and apps
- Banking and financial services platforms
- Telecommunication services
- Transport and ticketing systems
- E-book readers and content
B2B Exemption
Products and services exclusively for business-to-business use are generally exempt. However, any consumer-facing component falls under the law.
Key Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Perceivable content | Text alternatives for images, captions for video, sufficient color contrast |
| Operable interfaces | Full keyboard navigation, no time-dependent interactions without alternatives |
| Understandable information | Clear language, predictable navigation, input assistance for forms |
| Robust technology | Compatible with assistive technologies (screen readers, magnifiers) |
These requirements align closely with WCAG 2.1 AA, which the BFSG references as its technical standard.
How xyva Checks BFSG Compliance
When you select BFSG as the audit standard, xyva maps the legal requirements to testable technical criteria:
BFSG Requirement: Perceivable Content
├── Check: All images have alt text (WCAG 1.1.1)
├── Check: Color contrast ratio >= 4.5:1 for text (WCAG 1.4.3)
├── Check: Video has captions (WCAG 1.2.2)
└── Check: Content is not conveyed by color alone (WCAG 1.4.1)
BFSG Requirement: Operable Interfaces
├── Check: All interactive elements are keyboard-accessible (WCAG 2.1.1)
├── Check: Focus order is logical (WCAG 2.4.3)
└── Check: No keyboard traps (WCAG 2.1.2)BFSG vs. WCAG
Running a BFSG audit applies the same technical checks as WCAG 2.1 AA but frames the results in terms of BFSG legal requirements. Use BFSG mode when you need compliance documentation for legal or regulatory purposes.
Audit Report for BFSG
The BFSG report includes:
- Compliance summary — percentage of checks passed per BFSG category
- Non-compliant findings — each violation linked to the specific BFSG section
- Remediation priority — Critical findings that block legal compliance are listed first
- Export options — PDF for legal documentation, YouTrack for engineering action items
Enforcement and Penalties
The BFSG is enforced by the German Federal Market Surveillance Authority (Marktüberwachungsbehoerde). Non-compliance can result in:
- Orders to make products/services accessible within a specified timeframe
- Fines for continued non-compliance
- Product or service withdrawal from the German market
Regular Audits
Compliance is not a one-time check. Run BFSG audits after every major release and integrate them into your CI pipeline for continuous compliance verification.
Related Pages
- WCAG 2.1 AA — the technical standard underlying BFSG
- Audit Workflow — step-by-step guide to running an audit