{"id":14913,"date":"2026-06-18T09:23:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T07:23:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bayootec.com\/?p=14913"},"modified":"2026-06-18T09:23:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T07:23:17","slug":"accessibility-testing-how-companies-test-their-websites-for-accessibility-and-determine-when-an-audit-is-necessary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bayootec.com\/en\/blog-en\/accessibility-testing-how-companies-test-their-websites-for-accessibility-and-determine-when-an-audit-is-necessary\/","title":{"rendered":"Accessibility Testing: How Companies Test Their Websites for Accessibility and Determine When an Audit Is Necessary"},"content":{"rendered":"

Who is actually affected by the BFSG?<\/h2><\/div>

Before we dive into the practical aspects of testing, let\u2019s briefly discuss the legal framework, since not every website is automatically affected. The BFSG transposes the European Accessibility Act (EAA) into German law and applies to products and services that are placed on the market or provided to consumers on or after June 28, 2025. <\/p>\n

For websites, this means specifically: Generally, the pages through which services are offered to consumers are covered. These primarily include online stores, online marketplaces, online banking, online appointment scheduling, and booking platforms. According to the Federal Agency for Accessibility, websites that are purely informational or promotional, as well as purely B2B offerings, are generally not affected. <\/p>\n

Also important: There is a micro-enterprise exemption for services. Businesses with fewer than ten employees and an annual revenue or total assets of no more than two million euros may be exempt from this requirement. However, this exemption does not apply to products. <\/p>\n

Our tip: Even though websites are not formally covered by the BFSG, making them accessible is worth the effort. It\u2019s not just a \u201cnice-to-have\u201d\u2014it improves reach, SEO, and conversion rates alike. In the coming years, the scope of application is likely to expand, not shrink. <\/p>\n<\/div>

What standard actually applies to websites?<\/h2><\/div>

The BFSG states: Digital services must be \u201caccessible.\u201d But what does that mean from a technical standpoint? The Federal Agency for Accessibility refers here to the harmonized European standard EN 301 549, which in turn is based on the internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a brief technical note, but an important one: The currently harmonized version of EN 301 549 is still V3.2.1. It references WCAG 2.1 for Conformity Levels A and AA. WCAG 2.2 was published as a W3C Recommendation on October 5, 2023, and adds nine additional success criteria to WCAG 2.1. The next version of EN 301 549 is expected to incorporate these requirements, thereby aligning the European accessibility standard with WCAG 2.2. <\/p>\n

However, WCAG 2.2 will not become legally binding until the corresponding version of EN 301 549 is referenced in the Official Journal of the European Union. Until then, WCAG 2.1 AA remains the official benchmark for the harmonized standard. <\/p>\n

In practical terms, this means that anyone who currently tests digital offerings against WCAG 2.1 AA is following the current standard and, in many cases, is well-positioned. Those who want to ensure their compliance is future-proof should also take into account the nine new success criteria from WCAG 2.2 starting today. This allows for potential adjustments to be planned early on and reduces the need for later corrections. <\/p>\n<\/div>

The Four Principles of WCAG: The Common Thread in Testing<\/h2><\/div>

Whether you test it yourself or commission an audit, the WCAG organizes accessibility around four basic principles. If you\u2019re familiar with them, you\u2019ll have a good idea of where a website is falling short. <\/p>\n