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1-786-885-5165The official technical standard defining accessible Information and Communication Technology (ICT) across the European Union.
EN 301 549 is the European Union’s official standard for ICT accessibility (Information and Communication Technology). It defines the technical and functional requirements that digital products and services must meet to be accessible for people with disabilities.
Originally published by CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI, EN 301 549 ensures that all websites, software, digital documents, hardware, and mobile applications sold or used within the EU comply with accessibility principles aligned with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1 AA).
This standard is central to the European Accessibility Act (EAA) a law that requires equal access to digital products and services across EU member states.
For businesses operating in or selling to the European market, EN 301 549 is not optional. It’s a legal and procurement requirement that directly impacts how organizations design, develop, and distribute technology.
The regulation applies to:
Websites and mobile apps in the EU.
Private companies offering digital products or services to EU citizens.
Manufacturers, software vendors, and SaaS providers selling crossborder in Europe.
Ensures market access across all EU member states.
In short: if your product or website is available to European users, you must ensure it meets EN 301 549 criteria to remain legally compliant and competitive.
EN 301 549 covers a wide range of technologies and digital services, including:
Websites and Web Applications, Mobile Applications.
Software and Operating Systems, Video Conferencing Platforms.
Hardware Products and Kiosks, Telecommunications and Network Equipment.
Digital Documents and PDFs, ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies.
The standard provides detailed success criteria to ensure compatibility with assistive technologies such as screen readers, voice input tools, and alternative input devices.
While WCAG defines what makes digital content accessible, EN 301 549 extends those principles to cover the entire ICT ecosystem including software, hardware, and services.
In simple terms:
EN 301 549 adopts WCAG 2.1 AA as the benchmark for web content but adds extra technical requirements for features like:
This makes it broader and more detailed than WCAG alone.
EN 301 549 was developed to support two major EU legal frameworks:
Starting **June 28, 2025**, businesses selling products or offering digital services in the EU must demonstrate conformance with EN 301 549 to remain compliant with the European Accessibility Act.
Achieving EN 301 549 compliance requires a structured approach across auditing, remediation, and documentation:
For companies that already produce VPATs or Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACRs), EN 301 549 fits seamlessly into your workflow. The **VPAT 2.x EU Edition** is specifically designed to document conformance with EN 301 549.
Using this template allows vendors to:
Learn how WCAG applies specifically to your sector.
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