In the European Union, 27% of adults, roughly one in four, live with some form of disability, amounting to 101 million people. To address their needs, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) was introduced to enhance accessibility to products and services across the EU. Organizations must comply with this directive by June 28, 2025. As part of this effort, the EU has established the EN 301 549 standard to ensure digital accessibility for everyone.
What is EN 301 549?
EN 301 549 is a European accessibility standard that defines how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products and services should be made accessible to people with disabilities. It builds on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and turns them into specific, testable criteria. The standard helps designers and developers ensure that digital tools, like websites, software, and hardware, can be used by individuals with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments.
To put it simply, it is a guide to making digital products more inclusive for everyone.
What are the Harmonized Versions of EN 301 549?
EN 301 549 offers a standardized framework for digital accessibility, but individual member states may create their own harmonized versions with slight variations. Nevertheless, these versions must still meet the core accessibility requirements of the standard.
The harmonized versions of the EN 301 549 standard ensure consistent guidelines for accessibility across the EU, promoting equal access to digital resources for all citizens by facilitating uniformity in compliance efforts. This helps to implement accessibility standards effectively and efficiently.
Who Needs to Comply with EN 301 549?
EN 301 549 is a standard for the European market as it outlines accessibility requirements for digital technologies like websites, software, mobile apps, self-service kiosks, ATMs, and more. It is primarily aimed at improving digital accessibility across the public sector in the European Union.
So, who needs to comply with this act?
- Government agencies
- Public sector bodies
- Organizations that receive public funding
- Third-party vendors and contractors that provide digital products or services to, or on behalf of, public sector entities
While private sector companies are not legally bound by this standard, they are strongly encouraged to adopt it, especially if they want to expand their reach, improve digital inclusion, and align with best practices in accessibility.
Accessibility Requirements for EN 301 549
The accessibility requirements outlined in EN 301 549 cover various aspects to ensure comprehensive inclusivity:
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Hardware and Software
Both hardware and software components must be accessible to users with visual and cognitive impairments, using assistive technologies when necessary.
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Telecommunications
Telecommunications services and devices must include accessibility provisions to facilitate communication for all users, including telephones, mobile networks, and other technologies.
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Non-Web Documents
PDFs and eBooks must have proper structure and alternative text descriptions for images to make them accessible for assistive technologies.
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Compatibility with Assistive Technologies
Assistive technologies should be compatible with digital content and services, so users with cognitive and visual impairments can access and interact with them effectively.
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Usability
The user interface of digital products and services should be easy to navigate and understand for all users, including those with disabilities.
How to Comply with EN 301 549
To ensure your websites and applications meet the requirements of EN 301 549, consider taking the following strategic steps:
Step 1: Conduct a Comprehensive Accessibility Audit
Begin by commissioning a thorough audit of your digital platforms to assess their current accessibility status. The findings will serve both as a benchmark for improvement and as documented evidence to support your accessibility conformance statement under EN 301 549.
Conduct accessibility audits with a comprehensive AI-enabled accessibility solution like Continual Engine.
Step 2: Identify and Prioritize Remediation Areas
Evaluate which parts of your site or application are most heavily used and where accessibility barriers are most severe. Prioritizing high-impact areas ensures that remediation efforts are both effective and efficient.
Step 3: Provide Accessibility Training for Teams
Invest in structured training for your developers, quality assurance professionals, and content creators. Equipping them with a strong understanding of accessibility principles and techniques empowers your team to address current issues and prevent new ones from arising.
Step 4: Integrate Accessibility Throughout
Provide your teams with the right tools and resources to embed accessibility checks at every stage of the development process, from planning and design to testing and deployment. This proactive approach promotes long-term compliance and inclusive digital experiences.
How is EN 301 549 Different from EAA?
EN 301 549 is a European standard that outlines accessibility requirements specifically for ICT (Information and Communication Technology) products and services. The EAA (European Accessibility Act), on the other hand, is a broader directive that sets legal obligations for accessibility across various products and services in the EU. While EN 301 549 supports the EAA, it focuses more on technical compliance.
What is the Difference Between WCAG and EN 301 549?
When navigating digital accessibility, you most likely have come across two key names — WCAG and EN 301 549. While they serve similar goals, ensuring digital content is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, they serve different purposes and have different scopes. Take a look:
| Aspect | EN 301 549 | WCAG |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Addresses accessibility standards across a wide range of ICT (Information and Communication Technology), including websites, software, and physical devices. | Concentrates specifically on ensuring accessibility of online and mobile content. |
| Geographical Focus | Applicable within the European Union (EU). | Recognized and applied internationally. |
| Main Purpose | Aims to create consistent accessibility criteria across EU nations. | Designed to offer a comprehensive set of technical rules for making digital content accessible. |
| Level of Detail | Provides detailed technical requirements for various ICT products and services. | Offers in-depth accessibility guidance specifically for digital interfaces and content. |
| Legal Relevance | Serves as the official compliance benchmark under the EU Web Accessibility Directive and is presumed to meet the European Accessibility Act (EAA) standards. | Referenced by several international and U.S. laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 508, and Ontario's AODA. |
What are the Benefits of EN 301 549 Conformance?
Beyond being a responsible organization that meets legal compliance requirements, businesses benefit from EN 301 549 conformance by improving their user experience and overall reputation in the marketplace.
Below is a list of all the advantages you have after complying with EN 301 549:
- Reach Larger Audience: By meeting EN 301 549 standards, your digital products become accessible to users with disabilities, allowing more people to engage with your content and services.
- Avoid Legal Risk: Conformance helps reduce the risk of legal action related to accessibility non-compliance, ensuring your organization meets regulatory requirements.
- Increase Your Search Presence: Accessible websites are often better structured and more easily read by search engines, which can positively impact SEO and boost your online visibility.
- Improve Overall User Experience: Accessibility improvements often benefit all users, not just those with disabilities, by creating clearer navigation, improved readability, and smoother interactions.
- Become Socially Responsible: Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility enhances your brand’s reputation and shows that your organization values inclusivity and social responsibility.
- Enhance Inclusivity: EN 301 549 conformance ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can access and benefit from your digital content, supporting true inclusivity.
Continual Engine’s AI-Powered Accessibility Solutions Aligned with EU Regulations
While compliance with EN 301 549 is necessary to avoid legal complications and reach a wider audience, the process of adopting digital accessibility is time-consuming. Leave it to Continual Engine, a comprehensive AI-powered digital accessibility solution. Here’s how we can help you:
- Simplifying Compliance with EN 301 549: Continual Engine provides tailored AI-driven solutions to help organizations meet complex EU accessibility standards like EN 301 549. Our expertise reduces the burden of compliance while ensuring your digital platforms are inclusive and accessible to all.
- Promoting Inclusivity Through Technology: Accessibility is a commitment to inclusivity. Continual Engine helps organizations create user-friendly experiences that go beyond compliance and support a more equitable digital environment.
- Your Strategic Partner in Digital Accessibility: By working with Continual Engine, organizations can minimize the risks of non-compliance, expand their reach, and demonstrate their commitment to accessibility and ethical digital practices.
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