Accessibility legal obligations
Micro-enterprise or large corporation?
The legal background of accessibility often causes headaches for business leaders. Let’s clarify: who is mandatorily required to comply, and who is eligible for exemption?
Who are the primary obligated parties?
The regulation primarily affects the consumer (B2C) sector. If you provide a digital service that falls under the scope of the law, the associated websites and mobile applications must also be made accessible.
Micro-enterprises and conditions for exemption
The legislator is equitable: the smallest players may be exempt from the strict requirements.
- Who counts as a micro-enterprise? Those employing fewer than 10 people
AND whose annual turnover remains below 2 million EUR. - Disproportionate burden: A company may be exempt if it can be proven that
the costs of accessibility would jeopardize the viability of the business.
The supply chain and market pressure
Important warning: even if a company is legally exempt, the market may still force accessibility compliance. If you are a supplier to a large corporation, the partner will only accept your software or product if it is accessible; otherwise, they themselves would be breaking the law when selling it.