Everything You Need to Know About EN 301 549

EN 301 549 is the European standard for the accessibility of information and communication technology (ICT). It defines harmonized requirements for websites, software, documents and hardware so people with disabilities can use digital products and services. For web content, it is based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level AA.

EN 301 549 itself is a standard, not a law — but it is legally binding through the legislation that references it. In the EU, meeting EN 301 549 gives you a recognized way to fulfill the technical accessibility requirements of the European Accessibility Act and of public procurement rules. Which obligations apply to your website depends on your business and audience; a qualified adviser can confirm the details.

For websites, EN 301 549 largely adopts WCAG Level AA: text alternatives, keyboard accessibility, captions, sufficient contrast, scalable text, clear headings and labels, defined language, visible error messages and compatibility with assistive technologies. On top of that, it adds requirements for documentation, support services and interoperability with assistive tools.

WCAG is the international W3C guideline for accessible web content. EN 301 549 is the European standard that references WCAG for web content and extends the requirements to software, documents, hardware and user support. In practice: if your website meets WCAG Level AA, you cover the web part of EN 301 549; the standard adds the broader product and service context.

The European Accessibility Act is the law; EN 301 549 is the harmonized technical standard used to meet it. Products and services that conform to EN 301 549 benefit from a presumption of conformity with the EAA's accessibility requirements. That makes EN 301 549 the practical benchmark for websites and apps sold into the EU.

Start with an automated scan. allyWay checks your website for automatically detectable issues behind EN 301 549 and WCAG — missing alt text, low contrast, incorrect markup and more — and gives you a prioritized report. Criteria that need human review come with step-by-step guidance. You can run your first scan free of charge and see exactly where your site stands.

allyWay combines everything you need in one tool: an AI-powered scan against EN 301 549 and WCAG 2.2, automatic fixes for common issues, an accessibility widget for your visitors and continuous monitoring that alerts you when new barriers appear. One workflow to find issues, fix what can be automated and guide you through the rest.

A traditional expert audit against EN 301 549 often costs thousands of euros per review. allyWay starts with a free scan and trial, and paid plans cover continuous scanning, automatic fixes and monitoring for a predictable monthly price. That makes ongoing work towards the standard affordable for small businesses and scalable for agencies.