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Only 22% of German stores pass BFSG
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Continuing the series on digital accessibility reports, AIOPSGROUP, a valantic company, has evaluated 25 top German online stores for compliance with the Barrier-Free Information Technology Act (BFSG). The audit closely examined critical and serious violations against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the European Accessibility Act (EAA), and the BFSG, identifying barriers that prevent people with disabilities from properly interacting with and navigating these websites. The BFSG mandates that public and private sector websites and mobile applications in Germany must be accessible to all users, ensuring digital inclusivity.
This report provides insights into the current accessibility landscape in Germany’s e-commerce sector, urging businesses to improve their digital inclusivity. Our findings aim to offer actionable recommendations to help German online stores meet accessibility standards, improve user experiences, and mitigate the risks associated with non-compliance. This report provides insights into the current accessibility landscape in Germany’s e-commerce sector, urging businesses to improve their digital inclusivity. Our findings aim to offer actionable recommendations to help German online stores meet accessibility standards, improve user experiences, and mitigate the risks associated with non-compliance. Non-compliance with the Barrier-Free Information Technology Act can result in fines of up to 100,000€, making accessibility a critical business priority. This significant penalty highlights the urgency for businesses to align their digital platforms with statutory obligations to avoid financial and reputational damage.
Key insights
The assessment found that the average accessibility score among German online stores was 67 out of 100, far below the recommended benchmark of 90 or above. Under the Barrier-Free Information Technology Act, German websites must remove barriers to digital access for users with disabilities. This underscores a widespread lack of adequate accessibility measures, highlighting the struggles that people with disabilities face when navigating these platforms.
Perhaps most notably, around 60% of the identified issues were classified as critical or high-priority. These severe errors directly affect users’ ability to interact with the sites. Among the most common issues were missing descriptive ALT text, insufficient color contrast, and poor keyboard accessibility, all of which are essential for users who rely on assistive technologies.
The study also found that only 22% of the companies reached a score of 90 or higher, signaling that most German online stores are far from meeting necessary accessibility standards. Only three companies surveyed had no critical errors, while seven exhibited hundreds of such issues, pointing to an urgent need for improvement.
With an average score of 64, homepages in the study still fell short of expectations. As the primary entry point for users, these pages often suffered from inconsistent navigation structures, missing ARIA labels, and inadequate color contrast, making it difficult for users with disabilities to access or move through the site easily.
These pages, essential for browsing products, averaged a score of 71. While slightly better than other sections, PLPs still encountered frequent accessibility problems. Issues such as unlabeled buttons, inaccessible filters, and missing ALT text on product images were commonly identified, making it challenging for users to engage effectively with the content.
Scoring an average of 67, PDPs – critical for conveying product-specific information – showed significant room for improvement. Issues included poorly labeled interactive elements, missing or inadequate ALT text for images, and challenges with text readability, all of which hamper a user’s ability to understand product details clearly.
Positive takeaways from successful companies
Despite the overall lackluster results, a few companies stood out for implementing strong accessibility practices. These businesses demonstrated a clear commitment to inclusivity by focusing on a few key areas:
- The best-performing sites ensured that every interactive element, such as buttons or links, was appropriately labeled. This clarity helps users, especially those using screen readers, to navigate and perform actions confidently.
- Leading websites consistently applied detailed ALT descriptions for images, particularly on product pages. This made visual content accessible to users who rely on screen readers to gather information.
- Another standout feature was the high contrast between text and background, making content easier to read for users with visual impairments. These sites adhered closely to WCAG’s color contrast recommendations, ensuring an improved user experience.
Complying with the Barrier-Free Information Technology Act
To achieve more accessible websites and comply with digital accessibility standards, German businesses need to address key problem areas. Start by tackling the most pressing problems, particularly those related to navigation, ALT text for images, and keyboard usability. Ensuring that all interactive elements are properly labeled and navigable with assistive technologies can significantly enhance accessibility. Businesses should schedule frequent audits using both automated tools and manual testing to ensure ongoing compliance with WCAG and EAA guidelines. As websites change over time, periodic evaluations will help catch new issues early. Design and development teams must receive consistent training in accessibility best practices. This includes building accessibility into the design process and ensuring that updates do not introduce new barriers for users.
By prioritizing accessibility, German online stores can create a more inclusive environment, meeting legal standards and reaching a wider audience while enhancing the user experience. Accessibility is not only a legal requirement but also a strategic investment in customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
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EAA has been effective since June 28, 2025.
