EN 301 549 — The EAA Technical Standard Explained 2026
„What is EN 301 549 and why does it matter for my UK business?" That's a question many UK business owners ask when they learn about the European Accessibility Act.
In this guide, we'll explain what EN 301 549 is, how it relates to WCAG, and what UK businesses need to do to comply with the EAA.
📌 Quick Answer — What is EN 301 549?
EN 301 549 is the European standard for ICT (Information and Communication Technology) accessibility. It is the technical standard required by the European Accessibility Act (EAA). EN 301 549 is based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA but includes additional requirements for hardware, software, and services. The current version is v3.2.1 (2023).
✅ Test your website against EN 301 549
Use the free UK ADA checker to scan your website against WCAG 2.2 Level AA.
Free UK Checker →What is EN 301 549?
EN 301 549 is a European standard developed by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). It specifies accessibility requirements for ICT (Information and Communication Technology) products and services.
The standard is the technical foundation of the European Accessibility Act (EAA). It covers:
- Websites and web applications — based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA
- Software and applications — desktop, web, and mobile apps
- Hardware — computers, phones, self-service terminals
- Documentation — user manuals and support documents
- Services — support, help desks, training
📊 EN 301 549 — Key Facts
- Developed by: ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute)
- Current version: v3.2.1 (2023)
- Based on: WCAG 2.1 Level AA
- Applies to: ICT products and services
- Required by: European Accessibility Act (EAA)
- UK businesses: Required if trading in the EU
EN 301 549 vs WCAG — What's the difference?
EN 301 549 is based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA but extends beyond web content to cover hardware, software, and services.
| Feature | EN 301 549 | WCAG 2.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | ICT (hardware, software, services) | Web content only |
| Hardware | ✅ Included | ❌ Not included |
| Software | ✅ Included | ❌ Not included |
| Documentation | ✅ Included | ❌ Not included |
| Test procedures | ✅ Included | ❌ Not included |
| Approach | Outcome-based | Criteria-based |
Conclusion: EN 301 549 is more comprehensive than WCAG 2.1. It covers web content plus hardware, software, and services.
What are the requirements of EN 301 549?
EN 301 549 is divided into several clauses covering different aspects of ICT accessibility:
1. Functional Performance Requirements
These are high-level requirements that describe what users should be able to do:
- Vision — use without vision
- Hearing — use without hearing
- Motor — use without manual input
- Cognitive — use with limited cognitive ability
2. Web Content (Clause 9 — WCAG 2.1)
This clause requires websites to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA. This includes:
- Alt text for all images (WCAG 1.1.1)
- Colour contrast — minimum 4.5:1 (WCAG 1.4.3)
- Keyboard accessibility — all functions with Tab key (WCAG 2.1.1)
- Form labels — all input fields must have labels (WCAG 3.3.2)
3. Software (Clause 10)
This clause covers non-web software (desktop, mobile, and web apps):
- User interface accessibility
- Accessibility APIs
- Documentation
4. Hardware (Clause 8)
This clause covers physical hardware:
- Physical controls — buttons, switches
- Audio output
- Visual output
- Biometrics
5. Documentation and Support Services (Clause 11)
This clause covers documentation and support:
- Accessible documentation
- Accessible support services
EN 301 549 and the EAA
The EAA directly references EN 301 549 as its technical standard. This means:
- EN 301 549 is the technical foundation of the EAA
- WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the core of EN 301 549 (Clause 9)
- Hardware, software, and services have additional requirements
- EN 301 549 v3.2.1 is the current version
⚠️ Important for UK businesses
If your UK business trades in the EU, you must comply with EN 301 549 under the EAA. This means your websites, apps, hardware, and services must all be accessible.
If you comply with WCAG 2.2 Level AA (the UK standard), you are also compliant with EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1 AA) because WCAG 2.2 AA is more comprehensive.
How to comply with EN 301 549
Step 1: Understand the requirements
Review the EN 301 549 standard and understand which clauses apply to your products and services.
Step 2: Scan your website
Use the free UK ADA checker to scan your website against WCAG 2.2 Level AA (which exceeds EN 301 549 requirements).
Step 3: Fix all violations
Follow the recommendations in the report to fix all violations.
Step 4: Publish an accessibility statement
Publish an accessibility statement on your website (required under the EAA).
Step 5: Document everything
Document all tests and improvements. This serves as evidence of your compliance efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions — EN 301 549
EN 301 549 is the European standard for ICT accessibility. It is the technical standard required by the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and is based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
The current version is EN 301 549 v3.2.1, which was published in 2023.
No. EN 301 549 is based on WCAG 2.1 Level AA but includes additional requirements for hardware, software, and services. It is more comprehensive than WCAG.
Yes — if you trade in the EU. The EAA requires EN 301 549 compliance for UK businesses offering goods or services in the EU.
Use the free UK ADA checker to scan your website against WCAG 2.2 Level AA. This exceeds EN 301 549 requirements (WCAG 2.1 AA).
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