What is EN 301 549?
EN 301 549 (“Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services”) is the standard for digital accessibility in the European Union. It outlines the requirements for information and communications technology (ICT) products and services to be accessible to people with disabilities.
Who does EN 301 549 apply to?
EN 301 549 compliance is essential for both public-sector and private-sector organizations in Europe. Public-sector entities, including government agencies and institutions, are mandated to make their digital technology accessible. This includes websites, software, electronic devices, and mobile apps.
Organizations and businesses in the EU private sector must comply with the requirements set by the EU Directive 2019/882, which applies to specific sectors such as e-commerce, banking, e-books, and electronics. Whether you operate in the public or private sector, achieving EN 301 549 compliance is essential to prevent legal issues and ensure accessibility for all.
What’s required for EN 301 549 compliance?
EN 301 549 formally adopts the WCAG 2.1 AA standards as its baseline for compliance. However, it also includes additional requirements that go beyond WCAG 2.1, such as use of biometrics and two-way communication on webpages. Our team of experts is always at hand to guide you through the compliance process and help you meet these requirements effectively.
Document Remediation
Electronic documents, including PDFs, Word documents, and presentations, must be made accessible. This involves providing alternative text for images, properly structuring headings, and ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies. Our experts will assess your documents and provide recommendations to make them align with Revised Section 508 guidelines.
Electronic Documents Accessibility
EN 301 549 extends its accessibility requirements to electronic documents. This includes PDFs, Word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and other digital documents commonly used in various industries.
Mobile App/Non-Web Software Accessibility
The EU’s Web Accessibility Directive 2016/2102 outlines requirements to make mobile applications and other non-web software solutions that are available to the general public accessible by June 2021. This directive is transposed into national legislation in all EU member states and anyone in violation is at risk of potential lawsuits.
Accessibility Statement
Public sector organizations in the EU are required to provide an accessibility statement that demonstrates their level of compliance with the EN 301 549 standard. This report must be not older than 3 years and should accurately reflect the organization's accessibility efforts.
When you choose Equally AI, you not only gain access to a 7-day free trial of our solution, but also receive a comprehensive accessibility statement tailored to our website as part of our offering.
Take the next step to EN 301 549 compliance
Equally AI provides an end-to-end solution which combines the power of AI technology and manual expertise to help you meet EN 301 549 requirements for digital accessibility. We understand that compliance is an ongoing process, and we are committed to helping you maintain accessibility standards as they evolve.
Start with a 7-day free trial on our automated accessibility widget or contact sales for more streamlined solutions and services.