Accessible websites in Switzerland: EU law and the requirements from 2025

Starting in 2025, accessibility for websites and mobile applications will play a central role in Switzerland. This is linked to the ongoing alignment with European Union (EU) standards, particularly with regard to EU law on accessibility. Businesses, public institutions, and other organizations should familiarize themselves with the upcoming requirements now to ensure compliance on time and guarantee discrimination-free access to their digital services.

Background: Accessibility as a Legal and Ethical Obligation

The EU has established clear guidelines for digital accessibility with the Directive (EU) 2016/2102 on accessible access to websites and mobile applications of public authorities, and the Directive (EU) 2019/882 (European Accessibility Act). The goal is to facilitate access to digital information and services for people with disabilities. These regulations also affect Switzerland, as many Swiss businesses and organizations have international relations or operate within the EU. Furthermore, it is expected that Switzerland will further develop its own accessibility standards to align with digital transformation.

What Changes in 2025?

The new regulation will come into effect in Switzerland on June 28, 2025, and includes the following points:

• Extended Requirements: Websites and mobile applications must be designed to be accessible to all users, including those with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments. This will reference international standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1 or higher.
• Scope of Regulations: The requirements will apply not only to public institutions but may also extend to the private sector, especially in services of public interest, such as healthcare, e-commerce, banking, or transport.
• Testing and Reporting Obligations: Organizations may be required to regularly conduct accessibility audits and report on them. Transparent feedback mechanisms for users will also be required.

Who is Affected by the European Accessibility Act in Switzerland?

From 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will be implemented in EU member states. From this point, websites and online stores in Switzerland serving customers within the EU must comply with accessibility requirements. Failure to do so could result in fines, warnings, sales bans, and significant reputational damage.

Which Swiss Online Offerings are Affected?

EAA regulations affect Swiss online services when they provide products or services for EU customers. These include:

• Operators of e-commerce platforms and online stores
• News providers with subscription models
• Advertising platforms
• Professional services like healthcare providers, tourism businesses, transport providers, financial services, translation agencies, or marketing firms
• Entertainment and media offerings
• Telecommunications providers
• Software providers, if end users interact with the interface

Are There Exceptions?

Some providers are exempt from the accessibility obligation, including:

• Micro-enterprises and startups with annual revenues of less than 2 million euros and fewer than 10 employees
• Providers facing disproportionate burden, where adjustments would offer minimal benefit, such as niche providers with very small user bases
• Special content, such as mapping services

Important: Swiss online stores shipping goods or services to the EU are not exempt – regardless of company size or founding date.

It is important to note that the specific implementation and enforcement of the EAA in individual EU countries is still not uniform. Some countries are stricter in enforcing violations than others.

What About Software Solutions?

The handling of software sold by Swiss providers in the EU has not yet been fully clarified. The EAA specifically mentions applications such as e-book apps and self-service terminals. However, it is becoming clear that legislators are increasingly focusing on inclusive design in software.

Why is Accessibility Important?

The importance of digital accessibility goes beyond legal compliance. It is an expression of inclusion and equal opportunity. It is estimated that around one billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. An accessible website means that these people can access information and services on equal terms.

Additionally, accessibility offers economic benefits:

• Expanded Target Audience: Accessible offerings open up new customer groups.
• Better User Experience: Many accessibility measures, such as clear navigation and well-structured content, improve usability for all users.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Accessible websites are often better optimized for search engines.

Recommendations for Businesses and Organizations

1. Audit the Current Website: Conduct a comprehensive analysis of your existing digital offerings to identify barriers.
2. Implement WCAG Standards: Work with experienced web developers and UX designers to implement WCAG guidelines. We are happy to support you in this step.
3. Employee Training: Raise awareness and train your team to consider accessibility as an integral part of projects.
4. User-Centered Approach: Involve people with disabilities in the development process to better understand their needs.
5. Regular Audits: Establish ongoing processes to ensure that your website and mobile applications remain accessible.

Our Expertise: Accessibility as a Standard

When developing websites for our clients, we focus on accessibility from the outset. All websites we create are WCAG-compliant to ensure they meet the highest standards. This approach is an integral part of our development process and includes the following steps:

• UX Design: Even in the design phase, we consider aspects such as clear navigation structures, sufficient contrast, and intuitive user guidance to ensure all users can access content seamlessly.
• Technical Implementation: Our developers use semantically correct HTML code, ensure that all interactive elements are accessible via keyboard and screen readers, and optimize media content with alternative texts and captions. With our custom-developed frontends, we can also respond to requirements beyond website builders effortlessly.
• Testing and Validation: Before launch, each website is automatically tested for accessibility to ensure it meets the requirements.

This holistic approach enables us to develop accessible websites that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing while meeting the needs of all users.

Conclusion

The commitment to accessibility is not only a legal requirement but also an opportunity to make digitalization more inclusive. Businesses and organizations in Switzerland should use the time until 2025 to make the necessary adjustments. This will not only help minimize legal risks but also strengthen user trust and satisfaction.

Accessibility is not a short-term trend but a long-term goal for a fairer and more accessible digital world.

Our Support for You

As an experienced digital agency, we are happy to support you in making your website and mobile applications accessible. From analyzing your existing platforms to implementing WCAG standards and training your team – we will accompany you on the path to an inclusive digital presence. Contact us and let's work together to make your digital offerings accessible to everyone.