Missing the Mark: Major Webshops Lag Behind in Digital Accessibility Pre-Legislation Implementation
Online retail platforms yet to comply with accessibility laws
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As the Accessibility Enhancement Act (BFSG) gears up to take effect in June 2025, a sizable portion of prominent German webshops are still lagging behind in making their digital offerings accessible.
A study revealed by Google, the "Aktion Mensch" foundation, and the Pfennigparade foundation in Berlin unveiled that merely a third of the 65 most frequented online shops in Germany are keyboard-navigable — a crucial aspect for ensuring unhindered access for many individuals with disabilities. Notably, this accessibility aspect has only improved marginally from the previous year's figures, with less than 20% of popular webshops being accessible in 2024.
Barriers to Progress
Legal and Regulatory Hurdles
The Accessibility Enhancement Act (BFSG) necessitates that private providers ensure their digital products and services are accessible. However, the implementation of this law has been slow, and the mechanisms for enforcement, monitoring, and penalties for non-compliance are still under development [2]. This slow rollout may be due to companies not fully adapting their existing systems to accommodate the new requirements.
Technical and Operational Obstacles
Many large webshops rely on legacy digital platforms that were not designed with accessibility in mind, necessitating substantial investment in time, technical expertise, and resources for updates. Altering these systems to meet accessibility standards can be expensive, intricate, and time-consuming [2]. Additionally, some businesses still regard accessibility as a burden rather than a competitive opportunity [2].
Socio-Cultural and Structural Challenges
Digital skills and awareness remain significant barriers to a fully accessible digital environment in Europe, with gaps persisting both among users and developers. Many companies may lack the internal expertise or resources to efficiently implement accessible solutions [1]. Furthermore, there are challenges in harmonizing digital accessibility standards across member states within the EU, which can hinder progress [1][3].
Taking Steps Forward
As the Accessibility Enhancement Act takes effect, it will be crucial for its impact to be maximized by encouraging swift enforcement, investment in accessible solutions, and a cultural shift that values accessibility as a competitive advantage [2][1].
- The current sluggish implementation of the Accessibility Enhancement Act (BFSG) highlights the need for policy-and-legislation updates in technology sector, ensuring prompt enforcement and clear penalties for non-compliance.
- In the midst of increasing digitalization, it is essential for community policy and employment policy to address the technical and operational obstacles preventing webshop accessibility, recognizing accessibility as a means to foster inclusion and a competitive edge.
