# Accessibility in Switzerland: BehiG, the EAA and eCH-0059
URL: https://pandus.online/en/switzerland-accessibility-law-behig
Updated: 2026-10-14

Does the European Accessibility Act apply in Switzerland? What the BehiG requires of private providers and federal bodies, when EU law still applies, and what eCH-0059 is.

Switzerland has not adopted the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Websites and online shops fall under the Disability Equality Act (BehiG): private providers who offer services to the public must not discriminate on grounds of disability (Article 6), and federal bodies must make their internet services accessible. If you serve consumers in the EU, the EAA law of the target country may also apply to you.

| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does the EAA apply in Switzerland? | no, Switzerland is not an EU member |
| Main law | Disability Equality Act, BehiG (SR 151.3) |
| Private providers | ban on discrimination in services offered to the public (Article 6) |
| Consequence of discrimination | compensation of at most CHF 5,000 (Article 8(3), Article 11(2)) |
| Federal bodies | accessible internet services (Article 14(2), BehiV Article 10) |
| Technical standard (federal) | eCH-0059 version 3, equal to WCAG 2.1 AA |

## Does the EAA apply in Switzerland?

No. The EAA is an EU directive (2019/882) that member states transpose into national law, in Germany as the [BFSG](https://pandus.online/en/bfsg-germany-accessibility-act), in Austria as the [BaFG](https://pandus.online/en/austria-accessibility-act-bafg). Switzerland has no such transposition. The law of the target market can still reach providers outside the EU if they provide services to consumers in the EU. A Swiss shop that delivers to Germany or Austria should therefore check whether it falls under that law. The [EAA checker](https://pandus.online/en/eaa-checker) walks you through the questions: consumers, covered sector, company size.

## What does the BehiG require of private providers?

**Article 6 BehiG** ("services of private parties"): private parties who offer services to the public must not discriminate against people with disabilities because of their disability. Under **Article 2(4)**, there is a disadvantage in using a service where it is impossible for people with disabilities, or possible only under aggravating conditions.

For an online shop this can mean: if a blind customer using a screen reader cannot place an order, or a customer without a mouse cannot reach the basket, that may count as a service made harder to use. For private providers the act names neither WCAG nor any other technical standard. Whether a given case is discrimination is for a court to decide. This is not legal advice.

## What are the consequences of discrimination?

- A person discriminated against under Article 6 can ask a court for **compensation** (Article 8(3)).
- The compensation is **at most CHF 5,000** (Article 11(2)).
- Nationwide disability organisations that have existed for at least ten years have their own right to sue under the conditions of **Article 9**.

For private parties the act relies on those affected, organisations and courts, not on a market supervision authority as in EU law.

## What applies to federal bodies?

The rules are stricter for the federal administration. Under **Article 14(2) BehiG** and **Article 10 of the Disability Equality Ordinance (BehiV)**, internet services of the Confederation must be accessible. The federal administration relies on **eCH-0059 version 3**, which corresponds to WCAG 2.1 level AA. Many cantons and municipalities follow it too. If you build for public bodies, plan for WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 AA from the start; the differences are in [WCAG 2.1 vs 2.2](https://pandus.online/en/wcag-2-1-vs-2-2).

## Is the law changing?

In December 2024 the Federal Council adopted a message on a partial revision of the BehiG that also concerns private providers. According to our sources, a committee of the National Council was dealing with it in February 2026. On 25 February 2026 the Federal Council also adopted a message on a counter-proposal to the Inclusion Initiative. We do not predict the outcome. Check the parliament's website for the current state before you plan around it.

## What should Swiss shops do now?

1. **Clarify your target markets**: if you sell to consumers in the EU, the law of the target country probably applies to that service. Check it with the [EAA checker](https://pandus.online/en/eaa-checker).
2. **Test the key pages**: home, category, product, basket, checkout, account. Start with the [free check](https://pandus.online/en/free-accessibility-check).
3. **Fix errors by priority**: first everything that blocks a purchase.
4. **Publish accessibility information** if EU law applies: [guide](https://pandus.online/en/eaa-accessibility-statement).
5. **Monitor continuously**: theme and plugin updates bring new errors.

Pandus checks websites automatically against WCAG 2.2 AA and sends reports in your language. It is an automated check, not a full audit, and not legal advice. The EU overview is in the [EAA guide](https://pandus.online/en/european-accessibility-act-guide).

## Frequently asked questions

### Does the European Accessibility Act apply in Switzerland?

No. Switzerland is not an EU member and has not adopted the EAA. If you sell to consumers in the EU, though, the EAA law of the target country may apply to that service.

### Must Swiss online shops be accessible?

Article 6 of the BehiG forbids private providers who offer services to the public to discriminate against people with disabilities. For private providers the act names no technical standard such as WCAG.

### What happens after discrimination under Article 6 BehiG?

The person affected can ask a court for compensation. It is capped at CHF 5,000 (Article 8(3) and Article 11(2)).

### What is eCH-0059?

The Swiss standard for accessible web applications. Version 3 corresponds to WCAG 2.1 level AA and is used by the federal administration.

### Will the BehiG become stricter for private companies?

In December 2024 the Federal Council adopted a message on a partial revision. According to our sources, a committee of the National Council was dealing with it in February 2026; we do not predict the outcome.

## Sources

- Disability Equality Act (BehiG, SR 151.3), in German: [Fedlex](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2003/667/de)
- Disability Equality Ordinance (BehiV, SR 151.31), in German: [Fedlex](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2003/668/de)
- eCH-0059 and accessibility in the federal administration: [Federal Office of Information Technology](https://bit.admin.ch/en/accessibility-in-the-federal-administration)
- Federal Council messages on the BehiG and the Inclusion Initiative (in German): [admin.ch](https://www.admin.ch/de/newnsb/ifvRj-FVGXCEp1LP6KJkM)
- Directive (EU) 2019/882: [EUR-Lex](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/882/oj)

*Last checked: 14 October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.*

Q: Does the European Accessibility Act apply in Switzerland?
A: No. Switzerland is not an EU member and has not adopted the EAA. If you sell to consumers in the EU, though, the EAA law of the target country may apply to that service.

Q: Must Swiss online shops be accessible?
A: Article 6 of the BehiG forbids private providers who offer services to the public to discriminate against people with disabilities. For private providers the act names no technical standard such as WCAG.

Q: What happens after discrimination under Article 6 BehiG?
A: The person affected can ask a court for compensation. It is capped at CHF 5,000 (Article 8(3) and Article 11(2)).

Q: What is eCH-0059?
A: The Swiss standard for accessible web applications. Version 3 corresponds to WCAG 2.1 level AA and is used by the federal administration.

Q: Will the BehiG become stricter for private companies?
A: In December 2024 the Federal Council adopted a message on a partial revision. According to our sources, a committee of the National Council was dealing with it in February 2026; we do not predict the outcome.