In Germany, the Accessibility Improvement Act, which is based on the EN 301 549 directive ‘Accessibility requirements for information and communication technology products and services’ for product-related accessibility, will come into force on 28 June 2025. But to whom does this regulation explicitly apply and what does it cover? Find out here!  

What exactly is EN 301 549?  

EN 301 549 stands for ‘Accessibility requirements for information and communication technology products and services’, which will be a standard in Germany from 28 June 2025. The aim of this standard is to make digital products and services – such as websites, apps, software, hardware and digital documents – accessible to people with different disabilities. The aim is to ensure that all users, regardless of physical, sensory or cognitive limitations, can access digital content and technologies without any problems.  

What topics does the new directive cover?  

Accessibility is a key aspect of digital services. Websites and apps should have intuitive navigation, e.g. sufficient contrast, full keyboard operability and be compatible with speech output. Documents and PDFs must be designed to be accessible, for example by providing alternative text for images. Hardware should also be inclusive, with tactile controls or voice control. Audiovisual content benefits from subtitles and image descriptions, while compatibility with assistive technologies such as reading programmes or tactile text lines is essential. This is the only way to ensure digital participation for all people.  

Who do these guidelines apply to?  

 The new guideline on accessibility in general applies to  

• Public bodies  
• Private companies   
• Public contracting authorities  
• Developers and designers  

Therefore the directive affects both public and private companies, especially those that offer digital content or services. The aim is to make the digital world accessible and usable for all people, regardless of their abilities.  

What are the consequences for breaches of the Directive?  

What happens if companies do not comply with them?  

Public bodies:  

• In the event of violations, those affected can submit a complaint.  
• In some countries, penalties or sanctions may be imposed.  

Private companies: 

• National authorities can impose fines for violations.  

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the new requirement for companies?  

Advantages of accessibility for companies:  

In addition to the legal obligation, digital accessibility brings many advantages:  

It creates a larger target group, as people with disabilities will then also have the opportunity to use software or apps digitally. Better usability also plays an important role. It ensures clear structures and good readability for all users. Another advantage is search engine optimisation, as accessible websites are often better optimised for search engines. Compliance with the legally prescribed rules creates legal certainty, allowing companies to avoid warnings and fines.   

Challenges for companies when implementing accessibility:  

A common problem when implementing accessibility is that many developers are unaware of the requirements. In addition, they often lack the time or financial resources to make accessible adaptations. It is also common for companies to have older software or websites that are difficult to customise.   

How is qnips dealing with the new regulation?  

We are already working on the requirements of EN 301 549, including support for screen readers, also known as screen readers. This means that for components of the user interface that contain labels with text or images, the name contains the visually displayed text. For qnips, for example, this means that any interaction areas or buttons (and their respective status) are also labelled with text and can therefore be better interpreted by screen readers. Let’s take an example: You have a checkbox in the app that you have to tick in order to perform an action. Now imagine you can’t see anything and only rely on your mobile phone to read out what you should see on the screen. Then this checkbox must contain the information where it is located, what it is for and whether the tick is already set or not.

All previously active digital applications have a grace period of 4-5 years for their implementation of the Accessibility Directive. All current qnips applications already fulfil the new requirements to a large extent. Digital applications that will only appear in the future must already fulfil the requirements. At qnips, the requirements are already covered by the redesign of the apps. Adjustments are still being made to our catering portals until the deadline.   

Responsibility for an accessible digital future  

EN 301 549 is central to an accessible digital society. It gives people with disabilities equal access to digital services – and at the same time improves usability for older people and many others. Compliance is mandatory for organisations in the EU and promotes an inclusive, non–discriminatory online world. We at qnips are already implementing this directive.