Web accessibility compliance, explained

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of global web standards that aim to make the internet a more accessible space for all. While WCAG is not a regulation in itself, it is the primary technical standard referenced by accessibility legislation across both the UK and EU — including the Equality Act 2010, the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018, and the European Accessibility Act.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is the EU's landmark accessibility legislation, requiring organisations that provide products and services across EU member states to meet defined accessibility standards. It comes into force in June 2025 and applies to a wide range of digital products and services, including websites, mobile apps, e-commerce platforms, and banking services.

The Equality Act 2010 is the UK's primary accessibility law, requiring organisations to make reasonable adjustments so that disabled people can access digital services on equal terms, making it the legal foundation for web accessibility compliance in the UK.

Germany's primary digital accessibility law is the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG), which transposes the European Accessibility Act into German national law. It requires organisations to ensure their websites, apps, and digital services meet accessibility standards, with enforcement beginning June 2025.

France enforces digital accessibility through the Loi pour une République Numérique and the RGAA standard for public sector bodies, with broader private sector requirements now in effect under the European Accessibility Act from June 2025.

Italy's primary digital accessibility law is the Legge Stanca (Law 4/2004), which has been expanded through the 2022 EAA transposition to cover both public sector bodies and private organisations with more than 10 employees and annual revenue exceeding €2 million.

Spain enforces digital accessibility through Real Decreto 1112/2018 for public sector bodies and Ley 11/2023, which transposes the EAA and extends requirements to a broad range of private sector organisations from June 2025.

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses to make “reasonable modifications” to serve individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including the internet. Get a deeper understanding of website accessibility compliance standards and the ADA’s regulations.