Website accessibility law

Website accessibility law in Switzerland

Switzerland's Disability Discrimination Act (BehiG) sets web rules for the federal administration. Private service providers may not discriminate against disabled people, but no technical standard applies to their websites.

Low exposure for private websites. Private businesses must not discriminate, but there is no web standard for them and claims are rare.

Quick answers

Does website accessibility law apply to my business in Switzerland?
Disability Discrimination Act (BehiG) (SR 151.3) applies to: Federal bodies in full; private service providers only through the ban on discrimination.
What accessibility standard must a website meet in Switzerland?
eCH-0059 (based on WCAG) for federal websites; none set for private sites.
How is website accessibility enforced in Switzerland?
Individual claims.
What are the penalties for an inaccessible website in Switzerland?
Compensation for discrimination by a private provider is capped; check the current text.

The laws

Disability Discrimination Act (BehiG)

SR 151.3

Who is covered
Federal bodies in full; private service providers only through the ban on discrimination.
Standard
eCH-0059 (based on WCAG) for federal websites; none set for private sites.
Enforcement
Individual claims.
What it can cost
Compensation for discrimination by a private provider is capped; check the current text.
Key dates
In force since 2004.
Impact on your website
Low legal risk for private websites today; selling into the EU brings the European Accessibility Act.

What it means for your website

  • Switzerland is not in the EU; Swiss sellers to EU consumers still fall under the European Accessibility Act.

How Jralo helps in Switzerland

  • Daily checks against WCAG 2.2 A and AA with axe-core. Automated testing finds many, not all, problems.
  • A dated, independently timestamped record of what was checked and fixed, so you can show what you did and when.
  • Website Mechanic fixes problems in your code and opens a pull request for you to review.
Start free

Good to know

  • A revision of the Act has been under discussion; check for changes.

Sources

  1. BehiG, Fedlex

General information, checked 9 October 2026. Not legal advice. Laws, guidance and enforcement change; speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation.