Accessibility standards

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a landmark EU directive designed to enhance the accessibility of products and services across member states. Taking full effect in June 2025, the EAA establishes common accessibility requirements for key digital services – including e-commerce websites, banking platforms, transportation apps, e-books, and more. Built on WCAG 2.1 guidelines and aligned with the EN 301 549 standard, the directive requires businesses serving the EU market to ensure their digital offerings are accessible to people with disabilities. This marks a significant step toward harmonized, inclusive access across Europe’s digital economy.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) establishes a unified legal framework across EU member states to enhance the accessibility of essential products and services, including digital technologies. While the directive defines common accessibility requirements, each member state must transpose the EAA into national law by June 2022, with full compliance required by June 2025.

This means that although the EAA sets standardized requirements at the EU level, the specific enforcement mechanisms and penalties are determined individually by each country as they incorporate the directive into their own legal systems.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the international standard for ensuring that websites, applications, and digital content are accessible to people with disabilities. Developed by the W3C, WCAG is built around four core principles: content must be Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust – often abbreviated as POUR.

The guidelines are structured into three levels of conformance: Level A (basic), Level AA (recommended), and Level AAA (the highest). Most legal requirements and industry best practices target WCAG 2.1 Level AA, which addresses key accessibility needs such as keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, sufficient color contrast, and a clear content structure.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a U.S. civil rights law passed in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, education, transportation, and digital services. Although the ADA does not explicitly reference websites, U.S. courts and the Department of Justice have interpreted it to cover digital accessibility – particularly for businesses considered “places of public accommodation.” As a result, websites and apps must be accessible to people with disabilities, with WCAG 2.1 Level AA commonly used as the standard for compliance.

EN 301 549 is the European standard for digital accessibility, designed to ensure that information and communication technologies (ICT) – including websites, mobile apps, software, documents, and hardware – are accessible to people with disabilities. It outlines technical requirements primarily based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA and is adopted by EU member states to support accessibility regulations for public sector services. EN 301 549 also plays a vital role in implementing the European Accessibility Act, fostering a more inclusive digital environment across the EU.

Section 508 is a U.S. federal law requiring government agencies to ensure that their electronic and information technology is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Originally part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 508 was updated in 2017 to align with WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards. It applies to federal websites, software, documents, and systems, as well as to contractors who provide digital services to the government. The law’s purpose is to guarantee equal access to digital content and technology for all users, regardless of ability.

RGAA (Référentiel Général d’Accessibilité pour les Administrations) is the official French government accessibility standard for public sector websites and digital services. It is based on the WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines and outlines detailed technical requirements and testing methods to ensure digital content is accessible to people with disabilities. RGAA supports public administrations in meeting legal accessibility obligations and promotes inclusive access to information and services across France.

The BITV 2.0 (Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung) is a German regulation that defines accessibility requirements for information technology, including websites and digital services used by public authorities. Serving as a benchmark for best practices in the private sector, it is based on EN 301 549 and aligned with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. The regulation ensures that websites, applications, and digital documents are accessible to people with disabilities in Germany. Grounded in DIN EN ISO 9241 and DIN EN ISO 14289 for digital documents, BITV 2.0 supports Germany’s commitment to digital inclusion and aligns with European accessibility directives.

WZG (Website Accessibility Act – Gesetz zur Barrierefreiheit von Websites und mobilen Anwendungen) is Austria’s national law requiring accessibility for public-sector websites and mobile applications. It aligns with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards to ensure digital content is accessible to all users, including people with disabilities. The WZG reinforces Austria’s commitment to equal access and inclusive digital services, supporting broader European accessibility initiatives.