Using EN 301 549 to specify mandatory accessible reqiurement

Using EN 301 549 to specify mandatory accessibility requirements

Directive (EU) 2016/2102, the ‘Web Accessibility Directive’ or ‘WAD’, requires public sector bodies to make their websites and mobile applications (apps) accessible.

EN 301 549 “Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services” is a technical standard that was developed by the European Standards bodies, CEN, CENELEC and ETSI.

EN 301 549 is cited in the Web Accessibility Directive as the ‘harmonised’ European standard that may be used by public bodies to show a presumption of conformity with the directive. This means that public bodies can meet their legal obligations under the Web Accessibility Directive by implementing this standard.

EN 301 549 is designed to be used in a number of ways, but was first developed to be used to specify in a procurement exercise the requirements and features that mainstream ICT products must have in order to be accessible to persons with disabilities. Therefore EN 301 549 is suitable for use by public bodies when specifying accessibility requirements in the procurement of ICT products and services.

EN 301 549 is designed to be applicable to all ICT products and services, from smart phones to PCs, from smart watches to home monitors.