EN 301 549

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EN 301 549 is a European standard for digital accessibility. It specifies requirements for information and communications technology to be accessible for people with disabilities.

Contents

EN 301 549 was developed by CEN, CENELEC and ETSI [1] to set requirements for public procurement of products and services in the European Union. It has since been superseded by subsequent releases:

In version 2.1.2 the Harmonized Accessibility Standards officially adopted the W3C's WCAG 2.1 guidelines. [6] Previous versions of EN 301 549 embraced WCAG 2.0 as an ‘electronic attachment’, but version 2.1.2 directly referenced WCAG 2.1 AA.

The EU approved the Web Accessibility Directive before this harmonized standard had been developed. The implemented decision provides for the presumption of conformity between member states. [7] Member states had until September 2018 to create the laws and regulations which enforce the relevant accessibility requirements.[ citation needed ] Members states are free to determine how they achieve the standards of EN 301 549 and may exceed them. However, they now constitute a minimum standard for the EU. [8]

The standard includes web and mobile applications but also addresses a wide range of other technologies beside those covered by WCAG: [9]

European public entities are expected to meet the following deadlines: [10]

The EN 301 549 standards are being applied outside the European Union as countries like Australia are adopting it to improve accessibility for their citizens and ease trade with the EU. [11] This is an example of the Brussels effect.[ citation needed ]

See also

Section 508 Amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

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References

  1. "New European Standard will help to make ICT products and services accessible for all". cencenelec.eu.
  2. "EN 301 549 V1.1.2 (2015-04)" (PDF). etsi.org.
  3. "EN 301 549 V2.1.2 (2018-08)" (PDF). etsi.org.
  4. "EN 301 549 V3.1.1 (2019-11)" (PDF). etsi.org.
  5. "EN 301 549 V3.2.1 (2021-03)" (PDF). etsi.org.
  6. "WCAG 2.1 ADOPTION IN EUROPE". w3.org.
  7. "Web Accessibility". europa.eu.
  8. "What does European accessibility standard EN 301 549 mean for US organizations?". deque.com.
  9. "EN 301 549: The European Standard Guidance for the application of the Accessibility Standard EN 301 549 for procurers and suppliers of ICT in Sweden" (PDF). pts.se.
  10. "EN 301 549: The European Standard for Digital Accessibility". essentialaccessibility.com. October 2019.
  11. "EN 301 549: What it means for Australia". intopia.digital. 18 July 2017.