WZG (Austria)

Introduction

Austria's Web Accessibility Act (Web-Zugänglichkeits-Gesetz ,WZG) is the country's primary legislation on digital accessibility for the public sector.

In force since 2019, aimed at improving the accessibility of public sector websites and mobile applications for all users, particularly people with disabilities.

What is the WZG?

The WZG sets accessibility requirements for websites and mobile applications operated by the federal government and related public bodies, so that they are more accessible to users, particularly people with disabilities.

It is the Austrian public-sector counterpart to laws such as Italy's Stanca Law and Germany's BITV 2.0, all of which implement the same underlying EU directive.

What are the legal framework and technical standards?

Accessibility obligations under the WZG are based on:

• WCAG principles

• EN 301 549, the European standard for ICT accessibility

• Directive (EU) 2016/2102 (Web Accessibility Directive) 

Current requirements align with WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

Who must comply with the WZG?

The WZG applies to websites and mobile applications of:

• The federal government

• Bodies established for the specific purpose of meeting needs in the general interest, of a non-industrial or non-commercial nature, that have at least partial legal capacity, and that are predominantly financed or controlled by the federal government

Public broadcasters and their branches are excluded, insofar as the content serves their public broadcasting mandate.

Are there any exemptions under the WZG?

Certain content is excluded from the WZG's scope, including:

• Office file formats and pre-recorded media published before specific 2018–2020 cutoff dates

• Live media

• Online maps (where key navigation info is otherwise accessible)

• Third-party content outside the body's control

• Cultural heritage reproductions where accessibility conflicts with preservation

• Closed intranets and extranets published before 23 September 2019 (until the site undergoes a substantial revision)

• Websites of schools, kindergartens, and nurseries (except for essential online administrative functions)

Bodies may also invoke a "disproportionate burden" exemption, assessed case by case based on size, costs versus benefits, and how often the site or app is actually used, there is no fixed small-entity or revenue threshold.

What happens if you do not comply? 

Unlike Austria's BaFG (Barrierefreiheitsgesetz) which covers specific products and services defined by law, including e-commerce, and imposes direct administrative fines up to €80,000, the WZG does not provide for administrative fines.

Summary: WZG vs. BaFG Penalties

How WZG Enforcement Works:

1. Direct Contact: Users must first contact the public body directly using the feedback mechanism in its Accessibility Statement.

2. FFG Escalation: If the response is unsatisfactory or missing, users can escalate the issue to the FFG (Austria's federal monitoring and complaints body), which reviews the claim and issues recommendations for remediation.

3. Legal Action: Where the issue also amounts to unlawful disability discrimination, users can pursue formal conciliation and, ultimately, court action under Austria's anti-discrimination law.

How Accessiway supports WZG compliance

Accessiway supports public sector organizations in meeting WZG requirements through:

• Accessibility audits aligned with WCAG and EN 301 549

• Remediation guidance

• Continuous compliance monitoring

• Accessibility training