Relationship Between EN 301 549 and the European Accessibility Act
EN 301 549 is directly related to the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which is legislation aimed at improving the accessibility of products and services across the European Union. Here's how EN 301 549 aligns with and supports the EAA:
- Harmonized Standard for Public Procurement:
- EN 301 549 provides a harmonized standard that specifies the accessibility requirements for ICT products and services, making it a crucial reference for public procurement processes in Europe. This is essential for compliance with the EAA, which mandates accessibility in various domains.
- Directive 2016/2102 Compliance:
- The document serves as a voluntary means of conforming to the essential requirements of Directive 2016/2102 on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies. Annex A of EN 301 549 explicitly details the minimum requirements of this directive, helping organizations ensure their web content and mobile applications are accessible.
- Conformance and Testing:
- EN 301 549 outlines test procedures and evaluation methodologies that align with the European Accessibility Act's requirements. This ensures that ICT products and services can be reliably tested for compliance with accessibility standards, facilitating adherence to the EAA.
- Support for a Wide Range of ICT:
- The standard covers both web and non-web technologies, software, hardware, and hybrid systems, reflecting the broad scope of the EAA. It includes functional performance statements and specific criteria tailored for different types of ICT, ensuring comprehensive accessibility coverage.
- Functional Performance and Requirements:
- EN 301 549 includes functional performance statements and detailed requirements for various types of ICT, which are mapped to the essential requirements of Directive 2016/2102. This mapping ensures that ICT products and services meet the necessary accessibility criteria specified by the EAA.
Summary
EN 301 549 acts as a key technical standard supporting the European Accessibility Act by providing detailed accessibility requirements and testing methodologies for ICT products and services. It aligns with Directive 2016/2102, ensuring that public sector websites and mobile applications are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This standard is essential for public procurement and compliance with the EAA, promoting inclusive access to technology across Europe.