Austria has a robust legal framework for digital accessibility, primarily structured around two key pieces of legislation that transpose EU directives into national law. These laws ensure that both public and private sector organizations provide accessible digital experiences for people with disabilities. Understanding the Web Accessibility Act (WZG) and the Accessibility Act (BFSG) is essential for any business operating in Austria.
1. The Web Accessibility Act (Web-Zugänglichkeits-Gesetz – WZG)
The WZG is Austria’s national transposition of the EU's Web Accessibility Directive (WAD), which came into force in 2019. Its main purpose is to ensure that websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies are accessible.
- Who it Applies To: The WZG applies to all federal government bodies and public law institutions, including ministries, federal states, and municipalities. It also indirectly impacts any private companies that provide digital services or products to these public entities.
- Technical Requirements: The law mandates conformance with the European standard EN 301 549. In practice, this means all covered websites and apps must meet the WCAG 2.1 Level AA criteria.
- Other Obligations: The WZG also requires these organizations to publish and maintain a detailed accessibility statement (Barrierefreiheitserklärung), provide a user feedback mechanism, and establish a complaints body to handle disputes.
2. The Accessibility Act (Barrierefreiheitsgesetz – BFSG)
While the WZG covers the public sector, the BFSG is Austria's national implementation of the European Accessibility Act (EAA). This law, which took full effect on June 28, 2025, extends accessibility obligations to the private sector.
- Who it Applies To: The BFSG impacts a wide range of private businesses offering products and services to consumers in Austria, even if the business is based elsewhere. Key sectors include :
- E-commerce platforms
- Consumer banking services
- Computers, smartphones, and operating systems
- E-books and e-readers
- Transport service websites and apps
- Technical Requirements: Like the WZG, the BFSG points to EN 301 549 (and therefore WCAG 2.1 Level AA) as the technical standard for compliance.
- Penalties: The consequences for non-compliance with the BFSG are severe. The law outlines a tiered system of fines, with penalties reaching up to €80,000 for serious violations, such as placing a non-compliant product on the market.
A Unified Path to Compliance
Although Austria has separate laws for its public and private sectors, the technical path to compliance is unified. For any organization with a digital presence in Austria, achieving conformance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the fundamental goal. This ensures alignment with EN 301 549 and satisfies the core requirements of both the WZG and the BFSG.
At Wawsome, our platform is engineered to simplify the complexities of Austrian and European accessibility laws. Our AI-driven tools help you audit, remediate, and maintain your digital assets against the WCAG standards, ensuring you are compliant, inclusive, and ready to thrive in the Austrian market.