Laws and standards
AccessFold runs one assessment against WCAG. These 18 frameworks point to WCAG in different ways; each page explains the relationship, what our evidence can support and what it cannot.
European Union & EEA
EN 301 549
The European standard for the accessibility of ICT products and services, published by ETSI, CEN and CENELEC. Version 3.2.1 is the harmonised standard cited in the Official Journal of the EU; its web chapter incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA.
Learn moreEuropean Accessibility Act
Directive (EU) 2019/882 sets accessibility requirements for a range of products and services — among them e-commerce, consumer banking, e-books, electronic communications and passenger transport services. It has applied since 28 June 2025 through national laws.
Learn moreWeb Accessibility Directive
Directive (EU) 2016/2102 requires the websites and mobile apps of public sector bodies to be accessible, to publish an accessibility statement and to be monitored periodically by national bodies.
Learn moreBFSG (Germany)
The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz is Germany’s transposition of the European Accessibility Act for the private sector. It has been in force since 28 June 2025; market surveillance is carried out by the joint authority of the Länder (MLBF).
Learn moreBITV 2.0 (Germany)
The Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung 2.0 sets the accessibility requirements for the IT of German federal public bodies, under the Disability Equality Act (BGG). It references EN 301 549.
Learn moreStanca Act (Italy)
Italy’s Law 4/2004 (the Stanca Act) and the AgID accessibility guidelines. It applies to public bodies and has been extended to private companies above a revenue threshold.
Learn moreReal Decreto 1112/2018 (Spain)
Spain’s Royal Decree 1112/2018 on the accessibility of public sector websites and mobile apps. It refers to UNE-EN 301 549 — the Spanish adoption of the same European standard.
Learn moreRGAA (France)
The Référentiel général d’amélioration de l’accessibilité is France’s test methodology, with its own numbered criteria and test procedures. It is derived from WCAG but is not a relabelling of it. RGAA 5, integrating WCAG 2.2, was announced in March 2026.
Learn moreUnited Kingdom
PSBAR 2018 (UK)
The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. The Regulations refer to the harmonised standard; current GOV.UK guidance sets the working baseline at WCAG 2.2 Level AA.
Learn moreEquality Act 2010 (UK)
The Equality Act 2010 imposes a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. It codifies no web technical standard; WCAG is used in practice as evidence of the adjustments made.
Learn moreUnited States
ADA Title II
The U.S. Department of Justice rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act adopts WCAG 2.1 Level AA for the web content and mobile apps of state and local governments. Compliance dates were extended by an interim final rule in April 2026; the technical standard is unchanged.
Learn moreADA Title III
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act covers places of public accommodation. There is no codified web technical standard under Title III; courts commonly apply WCAG as a yardstick, and the main driver is private litigation.
Learn moreSection 508
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act covers ICT that U.S. federal agencies develop, buy or use. The Revised 508 Standards (2017) incorporate WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA by reference — 2.0, not 2.1 or 2.2.
Learn moreSection 504 (HHS)
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rule under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act adopts WCAG 2.1 Level AA for the web content and mobile apps of recipients of HHS funding. Compliance dates were extended by an interim final rule in May 2026; the standard is unchanged.
Learn moreCanada, Australia & Israel
AODA (Ontario)
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and its Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation require WCAG 2.0 Level AA for public-facing web content of organisations in scope. Accessibility compliance reports are due from organisations with 20 or more employees by 31 December 2026.
Learn moreAccessible Canada Act
The Accessible Canada Act applies to federally regulated organisations, which must publish accessibility plans and progress reports. It does not hard-code a web standard; organisations commonly align with WCAG 2.1 Level AA in practice.
Learn moreDDA 1992 (Australia)
Australia’s Disability Discrimination Act 1992 prohibits disability discrimination, including in access to services online. It codifies no web standard; the Australian Human Rights Commission’s advisory notes point to WCAG, and government policy uses WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
Learn moreSI 5568 (Israel)
Israeli Standard 5568, applied through the service accessibility regulations, incorporates WCAG 2.0 Level AA and adds Israeli-specific requirements. It applies to private as well as public organisations.
Learn more