What’s the Difference Between WCAG, ADA, EAA, and EN 301 549?

In today’s increasingly connected world, making digital content accessible is both the right thing to do and a smart business move. Yet many organizations get stuck when trying to navigate a maze of guidelines, laws, and technical standards: **WCAG, ADA, EAA, and EN 301 549.((

So, what’s the difference between them and why does it matter for your business?

Let’s break it down.

1. WCAG, The Universal Technical Blueprint

At the core is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): a globally-recognized set of technical standards developed by W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative. WCAG defines clear, testable success criteria (levels A, AA, AAA) grounded in the POUR principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust).

• What it is: A global set of technical guidelines.
• What it covers: Success criteria (A, AA, AAA) built on the POUR principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust.
• Key fact: WCAG is not a law—but it’s the most widely adopted benchmark for accessibility worldwide.
• Latest version: WCAG 2.2 (October 2023).

WCAG is not a law, but it’s widely adopted as the technical benchmark for many accessibility regulations worldwide, including in the U.S. and EU. Think of WCAG as the “what”, a shared playbook that defines what accessible design looks like.

2. ADA (United States), Accessibility Legalized, Using WCAG

In the U.S., the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) establishes legal requirements for accessibility but doesn’t explicitly define technical specs. Courts and regulators have leaned on WCAG as the de facto standard, particularly WCAG 2.1 AA. Indeed,

recent DOJ guidance now formally references WCAG 2.1 AA

for state and local government websites and mobile apps

• What it is: A civil rights law.
• What it covers: Public accommodations, including websites and mobile apps.
• Key fact: ADA doesn’t spell out technical rules. Courts and the Department of Justice reference WCAG 2.1 AA as the de facto standard.

In short:

ADA = the legal obligation.

WCAG = the technical reference.

3. EAA (European Accessibility Act), EU’s Legal Mandate

The European Accessibility Act (EAAt) is a sweeping EU directive (effective April 2019) that mandates accessibility for a broad range of products and services (everything from e‑commerce, banking platforms, to ATMs and e‑books) for businesses operating in the EU Member states were required to enact these rules into national law by June 28, 2025.

• What it is: A legally binding requirement.
• What it covers: A broad range of products and services—e-commerce, banking, ATMs, e-books, transport ticketing systems, and more.
• Key fact: EU member states must enforce EAA rules by June 28, 2025.

Here, WCAG acts as the

guideline

, but the

EAA makes accessibility a legal must-have

.

4. EN 301 549 – The Technical Specification for EU Compliance

So, how do you

practically

comply with the EAA? That’s where

EN 301 549

comes into play.

EN 301 549

is a European (CEN/CENELEC/ETSI) standard designed to translate legal requirements into technical specifications for Information & Communication Technology (ICT)—covering websites, mobile apps, software, hardware, documents, and more.

• What it is: A European standard developed by CEN/CENELEC/ETSI.
• What it covers: Websites, mobile apps, documents, software, hardware, and other ICT products.
• Key fact: EN 301 549 maps EAA’s legal obligations to WCAG success criteria, but goes further—expanding into ICT procurement and technical specifications.

Think of it as the “how-to” standard for proving you meet the EAA.

The Quick Comparison

• WCAG = Technical guidelines (global benchmark).
• ADA = U.S. law (uses WCAG as reference).
• EAA = EU law (legally enforceable from June 2025).
• EN 301 549 = EU technical standard that bridges EAA with WCAG and beyond.

Why Understanding This Matters for Your Business

If you’re operating in the U.S., aligning your digital content with

WCAG 2.1 AA

makes good legal and UX sense. If you’re serving the EU (or aim to) then compliance means:

• Meeting WCAG standards,
• Applying EN 301 549 across ICT channels,
• And satisfying EAA legal obligations.

Ignoring accessibility risks lawsuits, penalties, and lost markets,

not to mention excluding millions of users

.

Your Path to Compliance Made Easy with AccessTime

Navigating WCAG, ADA, EAA, and EN 301 549 can be overwhelming. That’s where AccessTime helps you cut through the complexity.

Try Access Lens (beta) for Audit Clarity

Use our Access Lens (beta), an easy-to-use audit platform that scans your digital assets, surfaces WCAG gaps, aligns with EN 301 549 requirements, and flags areas critical for EAA readiness. Think of it as your compliance dashboard that transparent, visual, and of course actionable.

Or Book an Expert Consultation

. Need deeper insight? Book a one-on-one audit with one of our IAAP‑certified consultants. We’ll provide:

• A tailored roadmap to WCAG, ADA, EAA, and EN 301 549 compliance.
• Practical steps and quick wins for leveling up your accessibility.
• Proof-of-conformance documentation for regulators and stakeholders.

When we work together, we can keep your business safe from penalties, make sure everyone feels included, and make your users’ experiences better.