The Accessibility Act will come into force in Austria in June 2025. Companies will then be obliged to design their digital offerings in such a way that they are accessible to all people, regardless of limitations.
For B2B companies, this means that websites, portals and software solutions must be accessible. What may sound like an obligation at first glance opens up opportunities for improved user-friendliness, greater reach and a stronger brand image.
What is the Accessibility Act and what does it mean for companies in Austria?
Many people ask themselves: What is the Accessibility Act and how important is it for my company? It is the national implementation of the EU Accessibility Act. The aim is to make digital products and services accessible to everyone. In Austria, this will mainly affect the following from 2025 onwards:
- Websites and web shops
- E-commerce portals
- Digital product catalogues and configurators
- Internal software with external use
- Mobile applications and end devices
Why does the Accessibility Act also affect B2B companies?
It is often assumed that the law only applies to consumer platforms or the public sector. However, in the B2B sector in particular, the Accessibility Act forces companies in Austria to make their customer portals, catalogues and ordering systems more inclusive.
Examples:
- Customer portals for orders or service requests
- Digital catalogues or online configurators
- B2B websites with login or ordering functions
- Interfaces that are also used by external partners
In short: Every digital interface must be accessible from 2025 onwards.
In which cases does WCAG not apply?
- For example, the law does not apply to very small businesses (fewer than 10 employees and less than £2 million in turnover) if implementation would be disproportionate.
- Purely internal software that is not used by external users or business partners is also generally not covered.
- Purely informational websites (corporate websites without sales or ordering functions) are not automatically covered by the obligation. BUT: If a B2B website offers forms, configurators or other interactive features, for example, then the law applies.
Important: However, as soon as digital offerings are directed at customers, partners or external stakeholders, they must comply with legal requirements. You should therefore carefully check whether your systems fall within the scope of application.
The role of WCAG 2.2 standards
- sufficient colour contrast
- Keyboard operability without a mouse
- Alt text for images and graphics
- Clear structure for screen readers
- No purely visual cues ("red button")
Many of these measures not only ensure legal compliance, but also offer SEO advantages. For example, alt text is not only mandatory, but also improves visibility in search engines. This is an advantage that we at LeadEngine specifically utilise in web design and search engine optimisation.
What opportunities does the Accessibility Act offer companies in Austria?
Austrian companies that see the Accessibility Act not only as an obligation but also as an opportunity are securing long-term reach and brand strength. In addition to the legal obligation, the issue also offers strategic advantages:
- Greater reach: Around 15% of the population lives with some form of disability. Accessible digital offerings tap into this target group.
- Better SEO & conversion: Google prefers technically clean, structured websites. This is a positive side effect of accessible design.
- Stronger brand image: Companies that take inclusion seriously position themselves as responsible and innovative.
- Future-proofing: Investing in accessibility now reduces future adaptation costs and allows you to make targeted use of technologies such as AI-based accessibility checks.
How your B2B company can implement the Austrian Accessibility Act in 5 steps
1. Start taking stock
Conduct an accessibility audit. Automated tools help you get started, but they are no substitute for expert analysis.
2. Integrate WCAG standards into design and content
Pay attention to:
- Contrast and readability
- Accessible forms
- Logical structure
- Alt text for images
- Media-appropriate PDF and content preparation
Our web design , content and teams implement these standards in a practical manner.
3. Modernising systems
Many older CMS systems do not meet the requirements of the Accessibility Act and need to be modernised.
At LeadEngine, we set up modern systems that comply with WCAG 2.2 and thus meet the legal requirements in Austria.
4. Testing with real users
Automated testing is not enough. We recommend usability testing with people who use screen readers or keyboard navigation. This provides genuine feedback and prevents costly rework.
5. Anchoring processes sustainably
This is how Austrian companies can remain compliant with the Accessibility Act in the long term:
- Train editors in accessible content creation
- Raise awareness among developers for accessible coding
- Schedule regular reviews and monitoring
Austrian Accessibility Act: Act now and secure competitive advantages
The Accessibility Act is a clear mandate for companies in Austria to make their digital offerings more inclusive and user-friendly. For your B2B company, this means acting in good time to avoid risks and secure competitive advantages at the same time.
Those who take accessibility seriously not only improve the user experience for people with disabilities, but also increase
- usability,
- SEO performance and
- brand image.
Do you need support with implementation?
We not only help companies analyse their websites and portals. We also provide support in implementing WCAG standards and the Austrian Accessibility Act, optimising content and design , and integrating these into existing marketing and sales systems.
