A New Era for Digital Accessibility in Europe: Draft EN 301 549 V4.1.0 Released, Aligning with WCAG 2.2 and the European Accessibility Act

[New Taipei, Taiwan] — [2025-11-20] — The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has published a landmark draft update to the key digital accessibility standard, EN 301 549. The new draft, V4.1.0, marks a comprehensive technical and regulatory upgrade, aligning the standard with the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 and the milestone European Accessibility Act (EAA). This update provides a clearer and more robust framework for the accessibility of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products and services across Europe.

EN 301 549 serves as a Harmonised European Standard, providing a benchmark for assessing the accessibility of ICT products and services, including websites, software, and hardware. The release of the V4.1.0 draft signals a significant step forward in building a more inclusive digital single market.

Key Highlight 1: Full Upgrade to WCAG 2.2

The most significant change in the new draft is the complete alignment of its core technical requirements with WCAG 2.2. This means that the accessibility criteria for web content (Clause 9), non-web documents (Clause 10), and software (Clause 11) now incorporate several new success criteria designed to address modern digital interactions.

Key additions include:

• Enhanced Mobile and Touch Support: New criteria such as "Target Size (Minimum)" and "Dragging Movements" improve usability on touch-screen devices.

• Improved Cognitive Accessibility: Criteria like "Accessible Authentication (Minimum)" and "Redundant Entry" aim to simplify complex login and form-filling processes for all users.

• Modernization: The obsolete "Parsing" criterion has been removed, reflecting the evolution of modern web browsers and assistive technologies.

Key Highlight 2: Deep Integration with the European Accessibility Act (EAA)

Draft V4.1.0 introduces critical new annexes - Annex ZA and ZB - which for the first time explicitly map the standard's technical requirements to the legal articles of the European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882). This change is pivotal, as it provides manufacturers, developers, and service providers with a clear "presumption of conformity." By complying with EN 301 549, their products and services can be presumed to meet the corresponding legal requirements of the EAA, streamlining the compliance process significantly.

Other Major Technical Updates

In addition to these core changes, the V4.1.0 draft includes several other important technical advancements:

• Expanded Communication Requirements: Clause 6 has been broadened from "two-way voice communication" to "real-time bidirectional communication," and now formally includes requirements for "Total Conversation"—the integration of voice, Real-Time Text (RTT), and video.

• Elevated Importance of Authoring Tools: Requirements for authoring tools have been moved from the software clause (11) to the generic requirements (Clause 5), emphasizing the importance of creating accessible content from the source.

• Structural and Terminological Improvements: Clauses on hardware, documentation, and support services have been restructured for greater logical clarity and ease of use.

What This Means for Stakeholders

• For Developers and Manufacturers: The draft provides a clear technical roadmap to ensure their products and services are compliant and ready for the EU market.

• For Public Procurement Bodies: It simplifies the process of specifying and verifying the accessibility of ICT products in public tenders.

• For Accessibility Professionals: It offers an authoritative assessment tool that is fully aligned with the latest global standards and EU legislation.

The draft EN 301 549 V4.1.0 is currently under review, with final publication expected in the coming months. All stakeholders in the ICT industry are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this crucial update and begin assessing its impact on their product development and compliance strategies.