Standards

RGAA vs WCAG: the differences and which one applies (+ EN 301 549)

Three acronyms, one logic. We untangle the international standard, the European norm and the French framework.

When you discover digital accessibility, you quickly run into three acronyms: WCAG, EN 301 549 and RGAA. Good news: they describe the same reality, at different levels.

WCAG: the international standard

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, published by the W3C, are the global reference. They define success criteria organised into three levels (A, AA, AAA) and four principles (perceivable, operable, understandable, robust). The current version is WCAG 2.2.

EN 301 549: the European standard

EN 301 549 is the European Union's harmonised standard for the accessibility of technology. For the web, it mirrors the WCAG level AA criteria. It is the technical reference cited by the EAA and by the public sector directive.

RGAA: the French framework

The RGAA translates WCAG into a precise testing method, with step-by-step tests. It serves as the operational framework in France and provides an accessibility statement template.

In short

Meeting WCAG 2.2 level AA means satisfying EN 301 549 for the web, and therefore answering the core of the EAA requirements. The RGAA is the methodological tool that helps verify it.