According to the Barrier-Free Accessibility Reinforcement Act (BFSG), which comes into force in Germany on 28 June 2025, certain companies are obliged to make their websites accessible. There is no legal obligation to acquire certificates to confirm accessibility. However, certification by recognised bodies can be useful in order to demonstrate compliance with accessibility standards and increase user confidence.
Possible certifications:
BITV
test: In Germany, the BIK BITV test association offers a standardised test that checks websites for conformity with the Barrier-free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0).
If the test is successful, a seal of approval can be awarded.
IAAP
certifications: The International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) offers certifications such as the "Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC)" and the "Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS)". These are aimed at professionals who want to prove their expertise in the field of digital accessibility.
Advantages of certification:
-
Proof
of accessibility: A certificate confirms that the website complies with the applicable accessibility standards
-
Confidence
building:
Users, especially people with disabilities, can be confident that the website is accessible to them.
-
Legal
protection: In the event of inspections by authorities, a certificate can serve as proof of accessibility efforts.
Conclusion:
Although there is no legal obligation to obtain certificates, certification by recognised bodies can be a useful way of documenting compliance with accessibility requirements and boosting user confidence. Companies should therefore consider whether to seek such certification in order to emphasise their efforts in the area of digital accessibility.