This post is an attempt to summarise the key website accessibility guidance and law that anyone working on digital assets should be aware of.
What we will cover:
Website accessibility is an essential part of website development.
It is also a complex beast to get your head around. There is a mass of guidance and legislation – some of it seemingly contradictory.
- W3C Web Standards
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
- ISO 30071-1 (formerly BS 8878)
- Equality Act 2010
- Public Sector Accessibility Regulations
- European Accessibility Act (EAA)
Guidance – W3C Web Standards
Who publishes it?
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
Who does it apply to?
Everyone.
In a nutshell:
W3C is the international body responsible for developing web standards. Best practice in digital development is built on W3C guidance.
Key points include:
- Website mark-up should validate to W3C standards
- Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) should validate to W3C CSS Standards
- Websites should comply with W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (explained in more detail below)
- Scripting should use the W3C Document Object model (DOM)
- Sites should provide a privacy policy
Where can I find out more?
W3C Standards
Guidance – Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
Who publishes it?
The Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C).
Who does it apply to?
Everyone.
In a nutshell:
WCAG provides a global standard for making digital content accessible to people with disabilities. The guidelines are structured across three compliance levels: A, AA, and AAA (from minimum to most stringent).
The most current version is WCAG 2.2, released in 2023. It builds on previous versions (2.0 in 2008 and 2.1 in 2018), adding 9 new success criteria aimed at improving usability for people with cognitive impairments, low vision, and motor disabilities. WCAG sets out 55 guidelines that aim to ensure a website is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Reaching level AA compliance theoretically means that the site does not actively exclude any users, although it does not mean that the site is necessarily easy to use for many user groups. Care must be taken when applying the guidelines to ensure that the spirit of the guideline is followed, rather than simply the letter.
Where can I find out more?
Full WCAG Guidelines
Guidance – ISO 30071-1 (Replaces BS 8878)
Who publishes it?
The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).
Who does it apply to?
Everyone.
In a nutshell:
ISO 30071-1 is the international standard for embedding accessibility into digital product development and governance. It replaced the UK’s BS 8878 in 2019.
Unlike WCAG, which provides technical criteria, ISO 30071-1 offers a strategic process for making accessibility part of an organisation’s digital culture.
It helps organisations to:
- Create accessibility policies and governance structures
- Build accessibility into team roles and decision-making
- Embed accessibility into the full product lifecycle
- Procure accessible digital services and tools
- Communicate accessibility via accessibility statements
Legacy note:
BS 8878 helped pave the way for ISO 30071-1, but is no longer current. ISO now provides the international benchmark for strategic accessibility.
Where can I find out more?
ISO 30071-1 Overview
The Law – Equality Act 2010
Who publishes it?
The UK Government.
Who does it apply to?
All service providers—public, private, and third sector.
In a nutshell:
The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination against disabled people in the provision of services – which includes websites and digital platforms.
While the Act doesn’t mention websites specifically, the consensus (including government guidance and legal cases) is that web services fall under its remit.
Key developments:
- Since 1999: Duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled users
- Since 2010: Requirement not to discriminate in service delivery (including digital)
If a website or app is not accessible, an organisation may be in breach of the law.
Where can I find out more?
The full Equality Act 2010
A digestible summary from Out-Law
The Law – Accessibility for Public Sector
Who publishes it?
The UK government. This is an amend to the existing Equality Act.
Who does it apply to?
Public sector bodies include central government, local government, and some charities and other non-government organisations.
In a nutshell:
Since September 2018, public sector organisations have been legally required to make their websites and mobile apps accessible, based on WCAG 2.1 (now updated to 2.2) at AA level.
Requirements include:
- Making websites perceivable, operable, understandable and robust
- Publishing an accessibility statement
- Providing accessible alternatives on request
- Meeting deadlines for existing and new digital content
These rules are enforced by the Government Digital Service (GDS) and monitored by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
Where can I find out more?
Gov.co.uk
The Law – EN 301 549
Who publishes it?
Developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) in collaboration with CEN and CENELEC (European standardisation bodies).
Who does it apply to?
All organisations that need to comply with:
- The EU Web Accessibility Directive (public sector websites and apps)
- The European Accessibility Act (EAA) (private sector digital services and products)
In a nutshell:
EN 301 549 is the official European standard that defines accessibility requirements for ICT (information and communication technology) products and services. This includes:
- Websites and mobile applications
- Software and operating systems
- Self-service terminals (e.g. ATMs, ticket machines)
- Electronic documents
- Hardware such as phones, computers and interactive kiosks
Its current version, EN 301 549 v3.2.1, references WCAG 2.1 AA as the baseline for web and mobile accessibility. Once WCAG 2.2 is fully integrated into EN 301 549 (expected post-2025), compliance expectations may evolve further.
EN 301 549 is not just guidance – it’s the law when cited in national regulations implementing the Web Accessibility Directive or the EAA. It’s what public and private sector organisations must reference to demonstrate compliance with EU accessibility rules.
Where can I find out more?
You can access the standard via ETSI’s website
The Law – The European Accessibility Act (EAA)
Who publishes it?
The European Union.
Who does it apply to?
Organisations selling or providing digital products and services in EU member states – including UK companies offering services in Europe.
In a nutshell:
The EAA, enforceable from 28 June 2025, extends accessibility obligations to private sector organisations for a range of commercial products and services, including:
- E-commerce websites and apps
- Banking and payment terminals
- Ticketing and travel platforms
- eBooks and reading software
- Smartphones and operating systems
Unlike previous EU rules, which focused on public bodies, the EAA targets the entire digital market. It requires adherence to harmonised accessibility standards such as WCAG and mandates accessibility throughout the product lifecycle, including customer service and documentation.
If your organisation operates in the EU, this law applies to you – even if you’re based in the UK.
Where can I find out more?
European Commission – Accessibility Act
N.B. Web Usability is not a law firm. The information in this article is our understanding of the current state of play of website accessibility. However, we accept no liability for the accuracy of this information and recommend you seek legal advice if you want to be confident about the legal validity of any issue to do with website accessibility.