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Shaping Europe’s digital future

Latest changes to accessibility standard

Find out about the latest changes to accessibility standard EN 301 549 and the rationale behind them.

    Blind person using a screen reader software to use smartphone

© iStock by Getty Images -1267390670 Chansom Pantip

Introduction

Standards can take a long time to be developed, as they require agreement from many different parties. As far as the WAD is concerned, only once a modified standard is harmonised through a reference in the Official Journal, does it have legal significance. So new versions of the WCAG or of EN 301 549 do not automatically change the legal obligations of the Member States with respect to the WAD.

In order for changes to have an effect on the WAD, first, the standard has to be updated, and then it needs to be referenced in the Official Journal.  The last change happened in August 2021. In this case EN 301 549 v2.1.2, which was referenced in the Official Journal in 2018, was replaced by v3.2.1. An overlap of several months until February 2022 was provided for in the legislation.

Reference lists on this page:

Changes in v3.2.1

The following table lists the changes between v2.1.2 and v3.2.1 of EN 301 549. Both versions build heavily on WCAG 2.1. Since WCAG 2.1 has not changed in this period, the changes in the new version are quite small. One important change in v3.2.1, due to an editorial oversight in v2.1.2, is that WCAG 2.1 now applies to documents downloaded from the web.

Clauses added in v3.2.1

Note that the row number in the first column refers to the row in Table A.1 of Annex of EN 301 549, v3.2.1.

Row Requirement Rationale
20 6.5.4 Synchronization between audio and video Was upgraded from a recommendation to a requirement in version 3.2.1
21 6.5.5 Visual indicator of audio with video A new requirement in version 3.2.1
22 6.5.6 Speaker identification with video (sign language) communication A new requirement in version 3.2.1
26 7.1.4 Captions characteristics A new requirement in version 3.2.1
27 7.1.5 Spoken subtitles A new requirement in version 3.2.1
81 9.6 WCAG conformance requirements This was in version 2.1.2 (as 9.5) but wrongly omitted from Table A.1
82 to 126 Downloadable document requirements (all based on WCAG 2.0 Newly added to Table A.1 in version 3.2.1 for the reason described above in 2.

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Clauses removed in v3.2.1

Note that the row number in the first column refers to the row in Table A.1 of Annex of EN 301 549, v2.1.2.

Row Requirement Rationale
4 5.5.1 Means of operation Will automatically be met if all of the WCAG 2.1 SCs are met
5 5.5.2 Operable parts discernibility Will automatically be met if all of the WCAG 2.1 SCs are met
6 5.6.1 Tactile or auditory status Will automatically be met if all of the WCAG 2.1 SCs are met
7 5.6.2 Visual status Will automatically be met if all of the WCAG 2.1 SCs are met
8 5.7 Key repeat Will automatically be met if all of the WCAG 2.1 SCs are met
9 5.8 Double-strike key acceptance Will automatically be met if all of the WCAG 2.1 SCs are met
10 5.9 Simultaneous user actions Will automatically be met if all of the WCAG 2.1 SCs are met
30 9.1.2.4 Captions (live) The WAD "does not apply to live time-based media".

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Requirements in EN 301 549 and relevant to the WAD, but not in WCAG 2.1

This tables lists the requirements of EN 301 549 that go beyond WCAG 2.1, based on Table A.1 (covering websites) of Annex A in EN 301 549 v3.2.1. 

To note: Table A.2 (covering mobile applications) is not covered by WCAG at all, even though it makes use of requirements from WCAG. This is because the WCAG does not actually apply to mobile applications.

Note that the row number in the first column refers to the row of Table A.1 of Annex of EN 301 549, v3.2.1.

Row Clause in v3.2.1 of the standard Condition
1 5.2 Activation of accessibility features Where web content has documented accessibility features
2 5.3 Biometrics Where web content uses biological characteristics
3 5.4 Preservation of accessibility information during conversion Where web content converts information or communication
4 6.1 Audio bandwidth for speech Where web pages provide two-way voice communication
5 6.2.1.1 RTT communication Where web pages provide two-way voice communication
6 6.2.1.2 Concurrent voice and text Where web pages provide a means for two-way voice communication and for users to communicate by RTT
7 6.2.2.1 Visually distinguishable display Where web pages have RTT send and receive capabilities
8 6.2.2.2 Programmatically determinable send and receive direction Where web pages have RTT send and receive capabilities
9 6.2.2.3 Speaker identification Where web pages have RTT capabilities, and provide speaker identification for voice
10 6.2.2.4 Visual indicator of Audio with RTT Where web pages provide two-way voice communication, and have RTT capabilities
11 6.2.3 Interoperability item a) Where web pages with RTT functionality interoperate with other ICT with RTT functionality (as required by clause 6.2.1.1)
12 6.2.3 Interoperability item b) Where web pages with RTT functionality interoperate with other ICT with RTT functionality (as required by clause 6.2.1.1)
13 6.2.3 Interoperability item c) Where web pages with RTT functionality interoperate with other ICT with RTT functionality (as required by clause 6.2.1.1)
14 6.2.3 Interoperability item d) Where web pages with RTT functionality interoperate with other ICT with RTT functionality (as required by clause 6.2.1.1)
15 6.2.4 RTT responsiveness Where web pages utilise RTT input
16 6.3 Caller ID Where web pages provide provides caller identification or similar telecommunications functions
17 6.4 Alternatives to voice-based services Where web pages provide real-time voice-based communication and also provide voice mail, auto-attendant, or interactive voice response facilities
18 6.5.2 Resolution item a) Where web pages that provide two-way voice communication includes real-time video functionality
19 6.5.3 Frame rate item a) Where web pages that provide two-way voice communication includes real-time video functionality
20 6.5.4 Synchronization between audio and video Where web pages provide two-way voice communication include real-time video functionality
21 6.5.5 Visual indicator of audio with video Where web pages provide two-way voice communication, and include real-time video functionality
22 6.5.6 Speaker identification with video (sign language) communication Where web pages provide speaker identification for voice users
23 7.1.1 Captioning playback Where web content displays video with synchronized audio
24 7.1.2 Captioning synchronization Where web content displays captions
25 7.1.3 Preservation of captioning Where web pages transmit, convert or record video with synchronized audio
26 7.1.4 Captions characteristics Where web content displays captions
27 7.1.5 Spoken subtitles Where web content displays video with synchronized audio
28 7.2.1 Audio description playback Where web content displays video with synchronized audio
29 7.2.2 Audio description synchronization Where web content has a mechanism to play audio description
30 7.2.3 Preservation of audio description Where web pages transmit, convert, or record video with synchronized audio
31 7.3 User controls for captions and audio description Where web pages primarily display materials containing video with associated audio content
82 to 126   Essentially the parts of WCAG that can be applied to downloaded documents. Note that WCAG itself does not apply to downloaded documents. Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page
127 11.7 User preferences Unconditional
128 11.8.1 Content technology Where web content is an authoring tool
129 11.8.2 Accessible content creation Where web content is an authoring tool
130 11.8.3 Preservation of accessibility information in transformations Where web content is an authoring tool
131 11.8.4 Repair assistance Where web content is an authoring tool
132 11.8.5 Templates Where web content is an authoring tool
133 12.1.1 Accessibility and compatibility features Unconditional
134 12.1.2 Accessible documentation Unconditional
135 12.2.2 Information on accessibility and compatibility features Unconditional
136 12.2.3 Effective communication Unconditional
137 12.2.4 Accessible documentation Unconditional

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Requirements in EN 301 549 but not relevant to the WAD

Below are listed the requirements of EN 301 549 that are not listed in Table A.1 (covering websites) or Table A.2 (covering mobile applications) of Annex A in EN 301 549 v3.2.1.  They are therefore a part of the standard, but are not a part of the presumption of conformity to the WAD. 

Requirements not relevant because the WAD does not apply to hardware:

  • 5.1 Closed functionality
  • 6.5.2 Resolution item b)
  • 6.5.3 Frame rate item b)
  • 6.6 Alternatives to video-based services
  • 8 Hardware (in its entirety)

Requirements not relevant because the WAD does not apply to live time-based media:

  • 9.1.2.4 Captions (live)
  • 10.1.2.4 Captions (live)
  • 11.1.2.4 Captions (live)

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Summary of all requirements in EN 301 549 that apply to the WAD

The acronym POUR stands for Perceivable, Operable, Understandable and Robust. These are considered the 4 main principles of digital accessibility requirements. The third column in the table below indicates which of these principles each clause is aiming to satisfy. The last column indicates whether a clause is based on WCAG. It provides a link to the clause’s definition, either in WCAG or in EN 301 549 if the clause is not in WCAG.

No. Clause in v3.2.1 of the standard POUR Condition WCAG level
1 5.2 Activation of accessibility features POUR Where web content has documented accessibility features Not WCAG
2 5.3 Biometrics -O-- Where web content uses biological characteristics Not WCAG
3 5.4 Preservation of accessibility information during conversion P-UR Where web content converts information or communication Not WCAG
4 6.1 Audio bandwidth for speech P--- Where web pages provide two-way voice communication Not WCAG
5 6.2.1.1 RTT communication PO-- Where web pages provide two-way voice communication Not WCAG
6 6.2.1.2 Concurrent voice and text PO-- Where web pages provide a means for two-way voice communication and for users to communicate by RTT Not WCAG
7 6.2.2.1 Visually distinguishable display P--- Where web pages have RTT send and receive capabilities Not WCAG
8 6.2.2.2 Programmatically determinable send and receive direction P--- Where web pages have RTT send and receive capabilities Not WCAG
9 6.2.2.3 Speaker identification P--- Where web pages have RTT capabilities, and provide speaker identification for voice Not WCAG
10 6.2.2.4 Visual indicator of Audio with RTT P--- Where web pages provide two-way voice communication, and have RTT capabilities Not WCAG
11 6.2.3 Interoperability item a) P--- Where web pages with RTT functionality interoperate with other ICT with RTT functionality (as required by clause 6.2.1.1) Not WCAG
12 6.2.3 Interoperability item b) P--- Where web pages with RTT functionality interoperate with other ICT with RTT functionality (as required by clause 6.2.1.1) Not WCAG
13 6.2.3 Interoperability item c) P--- Where web pages with RTT functionality interoperate with other ICT with RTT functionality (as required by clause 6.2.1.1) Not WCAG
14 6.2.3 Interoperability item d) P--- Where web pages with RTT functionality interoperate with other ICT with RTT functionality (as required by clause 6.2.1.1) Not WCAG
15 6.2.4 RTT responsiveness P--- Where web pages utilise RTT input Not WCAG
16 6.3 Caller ID POUR Where web pages provide provides caller identification or similar telecommunications functions Not WCAG
17 6.4 Alternatives to voice-based services POU- Where web pages provide real-time voice-based communication and also provide voice mail, auto-attendant, or interactive voice response facilities Not WCAG
18 6.5.2 Resolution item a) P-U- Where web pages that provide two-way voice communication includes real-time video functionality Not WCAG
19 6.5.3 Frame rate item a) P-U- Where web pages that provide two-way voice communication includes real-time video functionality Not WCAG
20 6.5.4 Synchronization between audio and video P-U- Where web pages provide two-way voice communication include real-time video functionality Not WCAG
21 6.5.5 Visual indicator of audio with video P-U- Where web pages provide two-way voice communication, and include real-time video functionality Not WCAG
22 6.5.6 Speaker identification with video (sign language) communication P-U- Where web pages provide speaker identification for voice users Not WCAG
23 7.1.1 Captioning playback P-U- Where web content displays video with synchronized audio Not WCAG
24 7.1.2 Captioning synchronization P--- Where web content displays captions Not WCAG
25 7.1.3 Preservation of captioning P-U- Where web pages transmit, convert or record video with synchronized audio Not WCAG
26 7.1.4 Captions characteristics P--- Where web content displays captions Not WCAG
27 7.1.5 Spoken subtitles P-U- Where web content displays video with synchronized audio Not WCAG
28 7.2.1 Audio description playback P-U- Where web content displays video with synchronized audio Not WCAG
29 7.2.2 Audio description synchronization P--- Where web content has a mechanism to play audio description Not WCAG
30 7.2.3 Preservation of audio description P-U- Where web pages transmit, convert, or record video with synchronized audio Not WCAG
31 7.3 User controls for captions and audio description PO-- Where web pages primarily display materials containing video with associated audio content Not WCAG
32 9.1.1.1 Non-text content P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
33 9.1.2.1 Audio-only and video-only (pre-recorded) P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
34 9.1.2.2 Captions (pre-recorded) P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
35 9.1.2.3 Audio description or media alternative (pre-recorded) P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
36 9.1.2.5 Audio description (pre-recorded) P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
37 9.1.3.1 Info and relationships P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
38 9.1.3.2 Meaningful sequence P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
39 9.1.3.3 Sensory characteristics P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
40 9.1.3.4 Orientation PO-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
41 9.1.3.5 Identify input purpose PO-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
42 9.1.4.1 Use of colour P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
43 9.1.4.2 Audio control P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
44 9.1.4.3 Contrast (minimum) P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
45 9.1.4.4 Resize text P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
46 9.1.4.5 Images of text P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
47 9.1.4.10 Reflow P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
48 9.1.4.11 Non-text contrast P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
49 9.1.4.12 Text spacing P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
50 9.1.4.13 Content on hover or focus P--- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
51 9.2.1.1 Keyboard -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
52 9.2.1.2 No keyboard trap -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
53 9.2.1.4 Character key shortcuts -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
54 9.2.2.1 Timing adjustable -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
55 9.2.2.2 Pause, stop, hide -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
56 9.2.3.1 Three flashes or below threshold -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
57 9.2.4.1 Bypass blocks -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
58 9.2.4.2 Page titled -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
59 9.2.4.3 Focus Order -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
60 9.2.4.4 Link purpose (in context) -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
61 9.2.4.5 Multiple ways -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
62 9.2.4.6 Headings and labels -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
63 9.2.4.7 Focus visible -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
64 9.2.5.1 Pointer gestures -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
65 9.2.5.2 Pointer cancellation -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
66 9.2.5.3 Label in name -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
67 9.2.5.4 Motion actuation -O-- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
68 9.3.1.1 Language of page --U- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
69 9.3.1.2 Language of parts --U- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
70 9.3.2.1 On focus --U- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
71 9.3.2.2 On input --U- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
72 9.3.2.3 Consistent navigation --U- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
73 9.3.2.4 Consistent identification --U- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
74 9.3.3.1 Error identification --U- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
75 9.3.3.2 Labels or instructions --U- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
76 9.3.3.3 Error suggestion --U- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
77 9.3.3.4 Error prevention (legal, financial, data) --U- Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
78 9.4.1.1 Parsing ---R Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
79 9.4.1.2 Name, role, value ---R Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 A
80 9.4.1.3 Status messages POUR Where ICT is a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
81 9.6 WCAG conformance requirements POUR Where ICT is a web page ???WCAG 2.1 Related
82 10.1.1.1 Non-text content P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
83 10.1.2.1 Audio-only and video-only (pre-recorded) P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
84 10.1.2.2 Captions (pre-recorded) P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
85 10.1.2.3 Audio description or media alternative (pre-recorded) P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
86 10.1.2.5 Audio description (pre-recorded) P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
87 10.1.3.1 Info and relationships P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
88 10.1.3.2 Meaningful sequence P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
89 10.1.3.3 Sensory characteristics P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
90 10.1.3.4 Orientation PO-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
91 10.1.3.5 Identify input purpose PO-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
92 10.1.4.1 Use of colour P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
93 10.1.4.2 Audio control P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
94 10.1.4.3 Contrast (minimum) P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
95 10.1.4.4 Resize text P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
96 10.1.4.5 Images of text P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
97 10.1.4.10 Reflow P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
98 10.1.4.11 Non-text contrast P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
99 10.1.4.12 Text spacing P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
100 10.1.4.13 Content on hover or focus P--- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
101 10.2.1.1 Keyboard -O-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
102 10.2.1.2 No keyboard trap -O-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
103 10.2.1.4 Character key shortcuts -O-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
104 10.2.2.1 Timing adjustable -O-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
105 10.2.2.2 Pause, stop, hide -O-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
106 10.2.3.1 Three flashes or below threshold -O-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
107 10.2.4.2 Document titled -O-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
108 10.2.4.3 Focus Order -O-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
109 10.2.4.4 Link purpose (in context) -O-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
110 10.2.4.6 Headings and labels -O-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
11 10.2.4.7 Focus visible -O-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
112 10.2.5.1 Pointer gestures -O-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
113 10.2.5.2 Pointer cancellation -O-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
114 10.2.5.3 Label in name -O-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
115 10.2.5.4 Motion actuation -O-- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
116 10.3.1.1 Language of document --U- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
117 10.3.1.2 Language of parts --U- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
118 10.3.2.1 On focus --U- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
119 10.3.2.2 On input --U- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
120 10.3.3.1 Error identification --U- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
121 10.3.3.2 Labels or instructions --U- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
122 10.3.3.3 Error suggestion --U- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
123 10.3.3.4 Error prevention (legal, financial, data) --U- Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
124 10.4.1.1 Parsing ---R Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
125 10.4.1.2 Name, role, value ---R Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 A
126 10.4.1.3 Status messages POUR Where the documents and forms are downloadable from a web page WCAG 2.1 AA
127 11.7 User preferences POUR Unconditional Not WCAG
128 11.8.1 Content technology POUR Where web content is an authoring tool Not WCAG
129 11.8.2 Accessible content creation POUR Where web content is an authoring tool Not WCAG
130 11.8.3 Preservation of accessibility information in transformations POUR Where web content is an authoring tool Not WCAG
131 11.8.4 Repair assistance POUR Where web content is an authoring tool Not WCAG
132 11.8.5 Templates POUR Where web content is an authoring tool Not WCAG
133 12.1.1 Accessibility and compatibility features POUR Unconditional Not WCAG
134 12.1.2 Accessible documentation POUR Unconditional Not WCAG
135 12.2.2 Information on accessibility and compatibility features POUR Unconditional Not WCAG
136 12.2.3 Effective communication P-U- Unconditional Not WCAG
137 12.2.4 Accessible documentation POUR Unconditional Not WCAG

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Related Content

Big Picture

Web Accessibility

What is web accessibility? Web accessibility allows everyone, including people with disabilities, to perceive, understand, navigate and interact with the Internet.

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Member States need to promote web accessibility through training programmes, awareness raising, and measures to facilitate accessibility.