EN 301 549 Compliance Checker
EN 301 549 is the EU's harmonized technical standard for ICT accessibility, referenced by both the Web Accessibility Directive and the European Accessibility Act. Check your web content compliance now.
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What Is EN 301 549?
EN 301 549 is a European harmonized standard that specifies functional accessibility requirements for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products and services. Originally published by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute), CEN, and CENELEC, it is the technical standard referenced by EU accessibility legislation. The current version, EN 301 549 V3.2.1 (2021-03), incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA in its entirety for web content while adding requirements specific to non-web software, hardware, documentation, and support services. EN 301 549 serves as the presumption of conformity for both the Web Accessibility Directive (2016/2102) covering public sector websites and the European Accessibility Act (2019/882) covering private sector products and services.
EN 301 549 vs. WCAG: What Is Different?
For web content, EN 301 549 fully incorporates WCAG 2.1 AA — Clauses 9.1 through 9.4 map directly to WCAG's four principles. If your website meets WCAG 2.1 AA, the web content portion of EN 301 549 is satisfied. However, EN 301 549 goes beyond WCAG in several areas:
- Clause 10 — Non-web documents: PDFs, Word files, spreadsheets, and other documents must meet accessibility requirements similar to WCAG's but adapted for document formats
- Clause 11 — Software: Native applications must support platform accessibility APIs, provide keyboard access, and maintain accessible state information
- Clause 12 — Documentation and support: Product documentation must be accessible, and support services must accommodate users with disabilities through multiple channels
- Clause 13 — ICT providing relay or emergency services: Specific requirements for real-time text and video communication
For organizations focused on websites, the WCAG 2.1 AA subset is the most relevant portion. CompliScan tests this subset comprehensively.
Who Must Comply with EN 301 549?
EN 301 549 compliance is required wherever EU legislation mandates accessible ICT:
- All EU public sector bodies — under the Web Accessibility Directive, government websites and mobile apps must conform to EN 301 549 since September 2020 (websites) and June 2021 (mobile apps)
- Private sector companies selling products/services in the EU — under the European Accessibility Act (enforcement active since June 28, 2025), covering e-commerce, banking, telecom, transport, and more
- EU-funded projects — projects receiving EU funding often must demonstrate EN 301 549 conformance
- Public procurement — under Directive 2014/24/EU, accessibility requirements referencing EN 301 549 may be included in tender specifications for ICT
The standard applies across all 27 EU member states plus EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein). The UK has its own equivalent requirements post-Brexit but references similar WCAG standards. Any organization serving the European market should treat EN 301 549 as the definitive technical benchmark.
How CompliScan Tests Against EN 301 549
CompliScan evaluates your web pages against the Clause 9 (Web) requirements of EN 301 549, which correspond to all WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA success criteria. The scanner maps each detected violation to both the WCAG criterion number and the corresponding EN 301 549 clause, making it straightforward to reference findings in EU compliance documentation. For example, a missing image alt text violation maps to both WCAG 1.1.1 and EN 301 549 clause 9.1.1.1. Our reports include the EN 301 549 clause references alongside WCAG identifiers, which is particularly useful for public procurement responses and EU regulatory filings. AI-powered fix suggestions help your team remediate issues efficiently, whether you are a public sector body meeting the Web Accessibility Directive or a private company preparing for EAA enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EN 301 549 the same as WCAG 2.1 AA for website compliance?
For web content specifically, yes — EN 301 549 Clause 9 incorporates WCAG 2.1 AA in its entirety. Meeting WCAG 2.1 AA means your web content satisfies the web requirements of EN 301 549. However, EN 301 549 is broader than WCAG: it also covers non-web documents (Clause 10), software (Clause 11), documentation and support (Clause 12), and communication services (Clause 13). For a complete EN 301 549 assessment, you need to evaluate these additional areas beyond just website content.
Which version of EN 301 549 should I target?
The current version is EN 301 549 V3.2.1 (March 2021), which references WCAG 2.1 AA. An updated version incorporating WCAG 2.2 is expected. Always target the latest published version, as this is what EU legislation references through the harmonized standards process. The European Commission publishes a list of harmonized standards in the Official Journal of the EU — check there for the definitive reference.
Do I need EN 301 549 compliance for the EAA?
The EAA does not directly mandate EN 301 549, but EN 301 549 serves as the harmonized standard that provides presumption of conformity. This means that if your product or service meets EN 301 549, it is presumed to meet the EAA's essential accessibility requirements. While companies could theoretically demonstrate compliance through other means, following EN 301 549 is the most straightforward and legally secure approach.
How does EN 301 549 handle PDF accessibility?
Clause 10 of EN 301 549 addresses non-web documents including PDFs. Requirements mirror WCAG principles adapted for documents: proper reading order, text alternatives for images, tagged structure for headings and lists, accessible form fields, and bookmarks for navigation. PDFs must be created with accessibility features enabled — typically using PDF/UA (ISO 14289-1) as the technical standard. This goes beyond what web-only scanners can test, requiring dedicated document accessibility tools.
Is EN 301 549 compliance required for selling software in the EU?
Under the European Accessibility Act, software products sold to EU consumers in covered categories must be accessible (enforcement active since June 2025). EN 301 549 Clause 11 specifies software accessibility requirements including support for platform accessibility APIs, keyboard operability, accessible notifications, and proper labeling of UI elements. For web-based software (SaaS), the Clause 9 WCAG requirements apply. For native applications, Clause 11 requirements go beyond WCAG to address platform-specific accessibility features.
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