Accessibility legislation: Switzerland

The Federal Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against People with Disabilities (BehiG), Switzerland’s legislation on digital accessibility, has undergone significant updates to align with international standards. Following a landmark revision in late 2024, expanded requirements for both public and private service providers will be enforced starting June 2025. The Federal Bureau for the Equality of People with Disabilities (FBED) oversees the coordination of these mandates, ensuring that digital barriers are removed across the Confederation.

The BehiG, supported by the eCH-0059 standard, mandates that a wide range of digital content and services must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes:

• Public sector digital offerings: All websites, mobile applications, and digital services provided by federal, cantonal, and municipal authorities.
• Private service providers: Entities offering publicly accessible services, particularly in sectors such as banking, telecommunications, and transport.
• Electronic commerce: Online shops and digital marketplaces serving the Swiss public must ensure non-discriminatory access to their interfaces.
• Administrative processes: This encompasses electronically supported processes like digital filings, electronic case management, and public-facing software used by public agencies.

While the legislation is comprehensive, certain types of content are exempt from immediate compliance under the current Swiss framework:

• Pre-recorded time-based media and office file formats published before June 28, 2025.
• Online maps and mapping services, provided that essential information (such as addresses) is provided in an accessible digital alternative.
• Third-party content that is neither funded nor controlled by the service provider.
• Archived content that has not been updated or edited after the enforcement date.
• Micro-enterprises (typically those with fewer than 10 employees or low annual turnover) may be exempt from certain private-sector obligations if compliance constitutes a disproportionate burden.