An accessibility statement is a publicly available declaration in which website or shop operators document the extent to which their digital offering meets the applicable accessibility requirements. For public-sector bodies it is mandated by EU Directive 2016/2102 and the German BITV 2.0; the BFSG requires affected companies to provide comparable information on the accessibility of their service.
An accessibility statement is something like a public status report: it transparently tells visitors how accessible a website is, where gaps remain and who to contact in case of problems. For many operators it is now an obligation, not an optional extra.
Why do I need an accessibility statement?
Since EU Directive 2016/2102 and the German BITV 2.0, public-sector bodies have had to publish an accessibility statement for their websites and apps. With the BFSG, since 28 June 2025 private providers of affected services – including online shops – have also been obliged to provide information on how their service meets the accessibility requirements. In practice, a dedicated, easy-to-find statement page has become established for this as well, even though the law does not rigidly prescribe the format.
What belongs in it?
- Scope – which website, app or service the statement refers to
- Benchmark – which standard was used for testing, usually WCAG 2.1 AA or EN 301 549
- Conformance status – fully, partially or not conformant, including known limitations
- Non-accessible content – specifically named, with reasons and, where possible, a planned remediation
- Date and method – when and how the assessment was carried out (self-assessment or external audit)
- Feedback mechanism – a contact channel through which users can report barriers; public-sector bodies must additionally point to the enforcement procedure
Practical relevance for shop and website operators
The statement is more than a formality: it forces operators to assess and document the actual state of accessibility – and thereby creates a solid basis for further optimisation. It also carries weight as an outward signal: it shows customers, partners and authorities that the topic is taken seriously. The usual place for it is a footer link, similar to the imprint and privacy policy. Since websites change constantly, the statement should be reviewed regularly and updated after major relaunches or functional changes.
Typical mistakes
Common issues include copied boilerplate texts without any actual testing of the site, outdated statements that misrepresent barriers that have long been fixed or newly introduced, and placements that are hard to find. Particularly risky is a blanket claim of full conformance without a reliable audit: such a claim can be challenged under unfair competition law if it is inaccurate. The feedback channel is also frequently forgotten – even though it is a central component of the statement.
What to look out for
Every credible statement is based on a genuine assessment – for example an audit against the WCAG 2.1 AA criteria. Be honest and specific: which areas have been tested, which limitations exist, and by when is remediation planned? Anchor the maintenance of the statement in day-to-day operations so it does not go stale. Our accessibility optimisation service page supports audits, implementation and documentation; for strategic guidance, see our consulting services.
Anyone claiming to be "100% accessible" without being able to substantiate it risks legal action for misleading advertising. State the conformance status exactly as it was actually tested.