Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 — UK Guide 2026

„What are the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 and do they apply to me?" That's a question many UK public sector organisations ask. The Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 (PSBAR) are the UK's most important accessibility law for public sector websites.

In this guide, we'll explain what PSBAR is, who must comply, and what you need to do to meet the requirements.

What are the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018?

The Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 (often called PSBAR) is a UK law that requires public sector organisations to make their websites and mobile apps accessible.

The regulations came into force on 23 September 2018 and are based on the EU Web Accessibility Directive. Even though the UK has left the EU, the regulations remain in force in UK law.

The regulations require all public sector websites and mobile apps to meet the WCAG 2.2 Level AA standard.

Who must comply with PSBAR?

The regulations apply to all public sector bodies in the UK. This includes:

1. Government departments

• Central government — All government departments
• Local government — Councils, local authorities
• Devolved governments — Scottish Government, Welsh Government, Northern Ireland Executive

2. Public bodies and agencies

• NHS — Hospitals, health boards, CCGs
• Education — Schools, colleges, universities
• Housing — Social housing providers
• Transport — Transport agencies, TfL
• Police — Police forces, PCCs

3. Other public bodies

• Arm's length bodies — Quangos, executive agencies
• Non-departmental public bodies — NDPBs
• Public corporations — Publicly owned companies

What are the requirements?

1. Websites must meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA

All public sector websites must meet the WCAG 2.2 Level AA standard. This includes:

• All content — Pages, documents, multimedia
• All functionality — Forms, transactions, online services
• All devices — Desktop, mobile, tablet

2. Mobile apps must meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA

All public sector mobile apps must also meet the WCAG 2.2 Level AA standard.

3. Accessibility statement

Every public sector organisation must publish an accessibility statement on their website. The statement must explain:

• How accessible the website or app is
• Which parts are not accessible
• How to report problems
• Alternative formats available

4. Annual monitoring

Public sector bodies must monitor their websites and apps on an ongoing basis. They must update their accessibility statements regularly.

What are the deadlines?

The regulations have different deadlines depending on when the content was published:

What are the exemptions?

The regulations have several exemptions:

1. Disproportionate burden

If making your website accessible would be a disproportionate burden, you may be exempt. However, you must assess the burden and document your decision.

2. Archived content

Content that is archived and not used for live services is exempt.

3. Pre-September 2018 documents

Documents published before 23 September 2018 are exempt unless they are essential for active services.

4. Third-party content

Content that is not under your control (e.g., embedded social media) is exempt if it is not essential.

5. Internal content

Content that is only for internal use (e.g., internal documents) is exempt.

What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Failure to comply with PSBAR can lead to serious consequences:

1. EHRC investigations

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) can investigate your organisation and issue a non-discrimination notice. If you don't comply, they can take you to court.

2. Discrimination claims

Disabled users can bring a discrimination claim under the Equality Act 2010. If successful, you could be ordered to pay unlimited compensation.

3. Reputational damage

Accessibility failures can lead to negative publicity and loss of public trust.

4. Legal costs

Defending a claim can be expensive, even if you win.

PSBAR vs Equality Act — What's the difference?

Many people ask: „What's the difference between PSBAR and the Equality Act?" Here's the answer:

Conclusion: PSBAR is more specific and applies to the public sector only. The Equality Act applies to all service providers but is less specific about technical standards.

How to test your public sector website?

Step 1: Use a free accessibility checker

Use the free UK accessibility checker to scan your website against WCAG 2.2 Level AA. You'll get a report within 60 seconds with violations, warnings, and solutions.

Step 2: Manual testing

Conduct manual tests:

• Keyboard test — can everything be operated with the Tab key?
• Screen reader test — is the content logical with a screen reader?
• Contrast test — is the text readable?

Step 3: Publish an accessibility statement

Publish an accessibility statement on your website explaining how accessible your website is and how users can report problems.

Step 4: Monitor and update

Monitor your website regularly and update your accessibility statement at least once a year.

Frequently Asked Questions — PSBAR

Internal links — UK Accessibility Resources