EN 301 549 Compliance for digital accessibility

EN 301 549 V3.2.1 (2021-03) is a harmonized European standard outlining accessibility requirements for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products and services. The standard details functional performance statements addressing diverse user needs, followed by specific technical requirements categorized across various ICT types (web, non-web, software, hardware).

The EN 301 549 standard includes several key points regarding web accessibility.
These points are primarily found in Clause 9, which addresses web pages.
• General Requirements: Clause 9 applies to web pages and web applications. It specifies that conformance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA is equivalent to meeting all of clauses 9.1 to 9.4 and the conformance requirements of clause 9.6. Web pages are evaluated individually.

• WCAG Conformance: The standard emphasizes the importance of the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
• WCAG 2.1 Level AA is a core requirement.
• The standard also encourages consideration of WCAG 2.1 Level AAA success criteria. However, it notes that achieving Level AAA conformance may not be possible for all content.
• The standard states that content conforming to WCAG 2.1 also conforms to WCAG 2.0.

• Specific Accessibility Requirements: The standard outlines specific requirements based on WCAG 2.1 success criteria under the following categories:

• Perceivable: This includes requirements for text alternatives for non-text content, captions for pre-recorded and live time-based media, and audio descriptions or media alternatives for pre-recorded content. It also includes requirements for information and relationships, meaningful sequence, sensory characteristics, orientation and identifying input purpose. Additionally, it covers the use of color, audio control, contrast (minimum), text resizing, and images of text. Further, reflow, non-text contrast, text spacing, and content on hover or focus are addressed.

• Operable: This category includes requirements for keyboard accessibility, ensuring enough time, minimizing seizures and physical reactions, and enabling navigation via headings and labels. It also covers input modalities including pointer gestures, pointer cancellation, label in name, and motion actuation.

• Understandable: This includes ensuring the language of the page and its parts are specified, that the content is predictable, and that input assistance is provided.

• Robust: This includes ensuring compatibility with parsing and that the name, role, and value of user interface components can be programmatically determined. It also addresses the presentation of status messages.

• WCAG Conformance Requirements: Clause 9.6 states that web pages must satisfy the five WCAG 2.1 conformance requirements at Level AA. These requirements are:
• Conformance level
• Full pages
• Complete processes
• Only Accessibility-Supported Ways of Using Technologies
• Non-interference

• Relationship to Directive 2016/2102: The standard provides one voluntary means of conforming to the essential requirements of Directive 2016/2102 on the accessibility of websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies.

• Testing: The standard includes test procedures for each of the accessibility requirements. For web accessibility, these procedures primarily involve inspections to verify that the web page does not fail the relevant WCAG 2.1 success criteria.
In summary, the EN 301 549 standard places a strong emphasis on aligning with WCAG 2.1 Level AA for web accessibility, along with additional considerations for Level AAA. It provides detailed requirements and test procedures to help ensure that web content is accessible to a wide range of users.

Partner with Corpowid to enhance your digital accessibility and ensure regulatory conformance. Our trusted widget provides a proven solution for making measurable improvements. Contact us to discuss your specific needs and how we can help you meet critical compliance standards. Request a Demo!