EN 301 549. EN 301 549 is a European standard that supports the development of digital best practices for everyone, including people with disabilities. It's like a checklist for digital accessibility that creators use to make sure their technology is easy for everyone to use. It specifies requirements for information and communications technology to be accessible for people with disabilities. For the web, the latest version, EN 301 549 v 3.2.1 includes the full text of WCAG 2.1 AA.

History of EN 301 549

This standard was produced by CEN, CENELEC and ETSI to set requirements for products and services in the European Union. EN 301 549 is the harmonized European Standard for ICT Accessibility. It is used in public procurement, as it is important that government services are easy for everyone to use. With European Accessibility Act, it is applicable to most organizations in Europe. Since it started, the rules have been updated to keep up with best practices.

Versions over time 
 EN 301 549:2015 V1.1.2 (Date: 2015-04)
 EN 301 549:2018 V2.1.2 (Date: 2018-08)
 EN 301 549:2019 V3.1.1 (Date: 2019-11)
 EN 301 549:2021 V3.2.1 (Date: 2021-03)
 CAN/ASC - EN 301 549:2024 (Date: 2024-05)

Why digital standards matter
EN 301 549 has generally adopted the latest recommended version of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines from the W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative, after a period of review. In version 2.1.2 the Harmonized Accessibility Standards officially adopted the W3C's WCAG 2.1 guidelines. Previous versions of EN 301 549 embraced WCAG 2.0 as an ‘electronic attachment’. The next version of EN 301 549 (v4.1.1) will be released in 2026. This new version is planned to support the European Accessibility Act and to include WCAG 2.2 AA, as well as significant updates to requirements related to Real-Time Text. 

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. Having a global guideline like WCAG is great, but it is easier to implement for some countries as a clear standard. Member states had until September 2018 to create the laws and regulations which enforce the relevant accessibility requirements. Members states are free to determine how they achieve the standards of EN 301 549 standard and may exceed them. However, they now constitute a minimum standard for accessibility for European governments.

What is included
The standard includes web and mobile applications but also addresses a wide range of other technologies beside those covered by WCAG:
 Information and communications technology (ICT) products; 
 Services related to products; 
 Web sites; and 
 Some specific telecommunications services necessary to provide alternative modes of communication for speech modality (such as text or images) and their routing could offer access to services such as emergency calls or relay services for everyone.

Expectations for European governments

European public entities are expected to meet the following deadlines:
 Requirements are already in force for any website published since September 23, 2019.
 Public websites (including existing sites) are required to comply by September 23, 2020.
 Mobile apps in the public sector are required to comply by June 23, 2021.

Global Adoption
Countries outside of Europe, like Australia and Canada, are also using these rules. This helps them make their technology easier for everyone to use and keeps their standards in line, which facilitates trade with Europe. Even where it hasn't been yet adopted, it is being used as a bench-mark for evaluating digital accessibility.

In 2024, Canada adopted the current (2021) version of the European Union's EN 301 549, as CAN/ASC - EN 301 549:2024. It is now a National Standard of Canada. Their version is identical to the original, but is available not only in PDF format but also in MS Word and HTML formats. The Canadian version is also available in French.

Future updates
The rules are updated regularly to keep up with new technology. The next big update will be in 2025, and it will include the newest advice on how to make technology accessible.

See also

 Section 508 Amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
 Web Accessibility Directive
 European Accessibility Act

References

External links
 Deque: EU Web Accessibility Compliance and Legislation
 EN 301 549: Essential Accessibility: The European Standard for Digital Accessibility
 EU Directive on the Accessibility of Public Sector Websites and Mobile Applications
 EU Web Accessibility Laws: EN 301 549 and EAA
 EN 301 549 V3 the harmonized European Standard for ICT Accessibility

EN standards
Accessibility
Accessible procurement
Disability legislation
Disability in law