Barrierefreiheitsgesetz Austria's Accessibility Act

The Austrian Barrierefreiheitsgesetz explained

What is the BaFG and how is it relevant to your business?

The Austrian Accessibility Act (BaFG) has been in force in Austria since 28 June 2025. This Act transposes the requirements of the EU Directive 2019/882 (European Accessibility Act, EAA) into national law. The core objectives are twofold: to enable people with disabilities to live independently, and to harmonise the EU internal market through mandatory accessibility requirements for specific products and services.

The Act obligates manufacturers, importers, distributors, and service providers to adapt their consumer-facing products and services to clearly defined technical standards. These standards are based on the EN 301 549 specification and the WCAG 2.2 Level AA criteria for digital accessibility.

What is the difference between BaFG and the German BFSG?

Both the Austrian BaFG and the German Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) transpose the EU Directive 2019/882 into national law. Consequently, comparable accessibility requirements for consumer-facing products and services apply in both countries.

Differences primarily lie in the responsible authorities and market surveillance bodies (e.g., the Social Ministry Service in Austria, versus the market surveillance agencies of the Federal States in Germany), as well as in sanctions and enforcement practice.

The key takeaway for internationally active companies is this: The substantive requirements for accessibility are harmonised across the EU—the national implementation only varies in organisational terms.

Who is affected by the BaFG?

The BaFG applies to businesses that offer the following products or services to end consumers:

Products:

• Bank terminals and cash machines

• E-book readers

• Payment terminals

• Computers and laptops (legally referred to as “universal computers”)

• Smart TVs

• Consumer devices (e.g. smartphones and mobile phones)

• Hardware systems and peripherals (e.g. keyboards, mice, monitors)

• Other computer hardware

Services:

• Online shops

• Electronic ticketing and ticket machines

• Online applications with consumer interfaces (e.g. banking and customer portals)

• Check-in terminals

• Travel information and digital transport services (e.g. bus and rail apps)

• Operating systems

• Streaming services

• Electronic signatures

• Electronic communications services

Small enterprises with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover of less than two million euros are exempt from the BaFG requirements for services.

Important: This exemption does not apply to products. Even micro-enterprises that sell products such as computers, smartphones or payment terminals must comply with the essential accessibility requirements – there are only minor simplifications, not a full exemption.

In addition to manufacturers and service providers, importers and distributors are also responsible for ensuring compliance with accessibility requirements.

What are the specific requirements?

The accessibility requirements include:

• Perceivability, operability, understandability and robustness of digital offerings (e.g. web content, mobile applications, user interfaces)

• Accessibility features and characteristics for hardware and software, such as screen reader compatibility, text-to-speech, audio description, sign language, subtitles for deaf users, and assistive technologies

• Clear user instructions, safety information and consumer support, including sign language interpretation and accessible package inserts

• Ensuring availability and usability across different devices, such as smart TVs, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets and payment terminals

As a rule, products and services must be designed to meet these accessibility requirements from the outset—that is, during the manufacturing or development stage.

For products covered by the Accessibility Act, compliance with these requirements will be a prerequisite for CE marking.
Manufacturers and importers may only place their products on the European single market if they have carried out a corresponding conformity assessment procedure and documented compliance. By affixing the CE mark, they officially confirm that their product meets the BaFG requirements—alongside other essential criteria such as safety and health protection.

If the CE marking is missing or has been applied unlawfully, sales bans, product recalls and administrative penaltiesmay be imposed.

When does the BaFG come into effect? Are there transitional periods?

The key date for the new obligations was 28 June 2025.

For services and products that were already lawfully on the market before this date, there is a transitional period until 28 June 2030, during which the necessary adjustments must be made.

After that, all facilities, products and applications must be fully accessible.

Who monitors the implementation of the law?

In Austria, compliance with the Accessibility Act is ensured by the central market surveillance authority, specifically the Sozialministeriumservice (SMS), regional office of Upper Austria. This authority conducts spot checks on products and services and may impose administrative fines in cases of non-compliance.

Consumers and organisations (such as the Austrian Disability Council) have the right to report violations informallyto the Sozialministeriumservice, thereby prompting official inspections.

For legal disputes or alternative mediation procedures, organisations such as the Sozialministerium and Help Desks may be involved.

What do businesses need to do?

• Thoroughly review and adapt their products, services and digital platforms to meet the new accessibility requirements

• Document all measures taken, and where applicable, carry out and provide evidence of conformity assessments

• Stay informed about and comply with legal transitional periods, and provide regular staff training on accessibility and its implementation

• In cases of exemptions (e.g. “disproportionate burden”), a factual justification must be documented and retained for at least five years

How does Eye-Able support me in meeting the BaFG requirements?

Accessibility under the BaFG is not just a legal obligation – it’s a key success factor. Every step towards accessible products and services enhances your reach, usability and customer trust, while securing your long-term competitiveness.

With Eye-Able, you can reduce barriers immediately. Using Eye-Able Access, you can remove initial obstacles for your users – for example, by enabling contrast adjustments, screen reader support or flexible text sizes – all in line with standards such as WCAG 2.2 and EN 301 549. At the same time, we work with you to develop a sustainable accessibility strategy that strengthens your business for the future.

We also support you with practical accessibility audits, legally required accessibility statements, and clear action plans. This helps you meet BaFG requirements quickly and effectively – transforming a legal obligation into genuine added value for your company.

But our approach goes further: through team training, continuous monitoring, and additional services such as translations into plain language and AI-powered multilingual accessibility, we provide long-term support. This not only reduces legal risks, but also builds trust, attracts new customers, and positions your company as a pioneer in digital inclusion.

Start early – and make your business future-proof and accessible with Eye-Able.