From WCAG to EN 301 549: Understanding and Applying Global Accessibility Standards
- Redazione ForAllWe
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
In an era where digitalization permeates every aspect of our lives, ensuring that everyone can access online content is not only an ethical duty but also a regulatory requirement. Many public and private organizations are discovering that accessibility isn't just a matter of compliance, but of the quality of experience for all users. Behind the words "digital accessibility" lies an ecosystem of guidelines and technical standards that define how to design inclusive experiences. In this article, we explore the journey from WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) to the European standard EN 301 549 , discovering how they integrate and how they can be applied concretely in digital projects.
WCAG: The Universal Foundation of Web Accessibility
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the international guidelines developed by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) to make the web accessible to everyone, including people with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive disabilities.
The four fundamental principles (known by the acronym POUR)
Each WCAG criterion is based on four key principles:
Perceivable – information must be perceivable by every user.
Operable – Interfaces must be navigable and usable across different devices or modalities.
Understandable – content and interactions must be clear and consistent.
Robust – Code must be compatible with assistive technologies and future browser evolutions.
Compliance Levels
WCAG provides three levels of conformance:
Level A – minimum essential requirements
Level AA – commonly required standard for public and private sites
Level AAA – advanced level (optional)
In Europe, WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance is the technical benchmark for most regulations.
EN 301 549: the European standard for ICT accessibility
Things
EN 301 549 is a European standard developed by ETSI, CEN, and CENELEC that defines accessibility requirements for ICT (Information and Communication Technology) products and services. It was designed to cover a much broader scope than WCAG: not just websites and apps, but also software, hardware, mobile devices, digital documents, and electronic communication systems.
What's included
EN 301 549 fully incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA , but extends it by introducing additional requirements relating to:
hardware (e.g. keyboards, displays, terminals, interactive kiosks);
downloadable and non-web documents;
voice and biometric interactions;
real-time communication services;
compatibility with assistive technologies.
Why it's important
This standard has become the official technical reference for ensuring compliance with the European Web Accessibility Directive (WAD) , and also represents a fundamental basis for the future European Accessibility Act (EAA) , which will come into full force in 2025-2026.
WCAG vs. EN 301 549: Key Differences
I wait | WCAG | EN 301 549 |
Scope of application | Web and mobile content | All ICT products and services |
Regulatory reference | W3C Guidelines (non-binding) | European Technical Standard |
Downloadable documents (PDF, Word, etc.) | Not always included | Explicitly included |
Hardware and software | Not covered | Included |
Level of detail | Technical but generic | Extended to system, hardware and service requirements |
From theory to practice: how to apply them in projects
1. Perform an accessibility audit
Start with a current state analysis: check conformance to WCAG 2.1 AA and identify any gaps compared to EN 301 549 (e.g. downloadable documents, apps, devices).
2. Create a roadmap
Define an adjustment plan with clear priorities:
Fix WCAG non-conformances.
Extend the analysis to the additional clauses EN 301 549.
Document findings and corrective actions.
3. Build internal teams
Accessibility isn't just about developers: it also involves designers, editors, marketing, and management. Training staff on Universal Design principles helps integrate accessibility from the earliest stages of a project.
4. Test with real people
In addition to automatic validators, it performs manual testing and testing with assistive technologies (screen readers, keyboards, voice recognition). Feedback from real users with various disabilities is irreplaceable.
5. Maintain compliance over time
Periodically update contents and systems, following the evolution of standards (e.g. WCAG 2.2 and EN 301 549 v4 , expected in the next few years).
Towards Integrated Accessibility: The Future of Inclusive Digital Experiences
Digital accessibility is evolving from a regulatory requirement to a competitive advantage . Adopting WCAG and EN 301 549 means creating better experiences for everyone: clearer, more usable, more inclusive, and in line with corporate social responsibility.
Useful links
Standards and guidelines
European legislation
Practical resources
The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation of official regulatory texts.
In short: WCAG is the technical foundation of digital accessibility; EN 301 549 represents its normative and operational extension in Europe. Knowing both means not only complying with the law, but also building a web that is truly for everyone .
Want to share your experience applying these standards? Tell us in the comments: every contribution helps make the web more accessible.
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