Switzerland navigates a unique position in the European digital accessibility landscape. As a non-EU member, it is not bound by the European Accessibility Act (EAA) within its own borders. Instead, its primary domestic legislation is the Federal Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against People with Disabilities (Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz, BehiG), commonly known as the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
However, due to its close economic ties with the EU, Swiss businesses that serve customers in the single market must also comply with the EAA. This creates a dual compliance environment that companies need to understand.
The Swiss Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
Enacted in 2004, the DDA is the foundational law for accessibility in Switzerland. Its main goal is to prevent, reduce, and eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities.
- Who it Applies To: The DDA primarily applies to federal public sector organizations. However, its principles and technical requirements also extend to private entities that provide public services, and it sets the general standard for accessibility in the country.
- Technical Requirements: The law mandates that internet services from federal authorities must be accessible. The official technical ordinance (BehiV) points to international standards, making WCAG 2.1 Level AA the recognized benchmark for compliance. Switzerland also references its own national standard, eCH-0059, which is based on and aligns with WCAG.
- Penalties: Individuals who experience discrimination due to inaccessible digital content from a covered entity can bring a claim to court. If successful, the court can award compensation of up to 5,000 Swiss Francs and order the organization to remediate the accessibility issue.
The Impact of the European Accessibility Act (EAA)
Even though Switzerland is not an EU member, the EAA has significant implications for Swiss companies. As of its effective date on June 28, 2025, the EAA requires that any business—including those based in Switzerland—offering covered products and services to consumers within the EU must comply with its accessibility rules.
- Who Is Affected: Swiss businesses in key sectors are impacted if they have customers in the EU. This includes :
- E-commerce platforms
- Banking and financial service providers
- Telecommunication providers
- Software companies
- Transport and tourism services
- What This Means: A Swiss online store that ships goods to Germany, France, or any other EU country must ensure its website is compliant with the EAA (i.e., meets the WCAG 2.1 AA standard via EN 301 549). Failure to do so can result in fines from EU member states, sales bans, and reputational damage.
- Exemptions: The EAA does include an exemption for micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees and under €2 million in annual turnover), but this does not apply if the Swiss company is selling into the EU market.
A Unified Path to Compliance
For Swiss businesses, the compliance strategy is clear. Whether aiming to meet the domestic requirements of the DDA or to serve customers in the EU market under the EAA, the technical standard is the same: WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
Adhering to this globally recognized standard ensures that your digital assets are not only compliant with Swiss law but are also ready for the broader European market. It’s a unified approach that mitigates legal risk both at home and abroad.
Wawsome’s AI-powered platform simplifies this dual challenge. We provide the tools to audit, remediate, and continuously monitor your website against the WCAG standards, ensuring you are compliant, inclusive, and ready to do business anywhere.