Legality
on Web Accessibility
Web accessibility is a legal obligation
From Royal Decree 193/2023 to the EAA (2025), compliance with regulations is essential to avoid sanctions and build a responsible digital business.
Why comply with Accessibility Law:
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You avoid sanctions and litigation
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You improve your brand reputation
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You expand your market and customers
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You ensure digital inclusion
Web accessibility is now an unavoidable legal requirement. With regulations such as Royal Decree 193/2023 in Spain and the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which has been in force since June 28, 2025, it is crucial to ensure that your website complies with the law.
At accedeMe, we understand the complexity of this legal framework.
Below, we break down the key web accessibility laws and standards that affect your project and show you how we can help you ensure compliance.
Legal Roadmap: Your Website Accessible and Compliant
Legality in Web Accessibility
Legality of web accessibility in Spain: Keys and Regulations
Spain has a solid legal framework and has implemented various laws and decrees to guarantee equal opportunities and non-discrimination for people with disabilities in the digital environment.
Learn about the key regulations that promote digital accessibility in Spain.
Royal Decree 193/2023: Universal access to goods and services
This Royal Decree 193/2023, of March 21, is essential because it establishes the basic accessibility conditions so that all people, including those with disabilities, can access and use goods and services available to the public.
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What does it entail? Its Article 14 is clear: both public and private entities must offer their products and services (including websites and applications) in accessible formats. It also requires compliance with Royal Decree 1112/2018, which means complying with the WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines.
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Consequences of non-compliance: Article 15 details a penalty regime to ensure compliance.
Law 15/2022: For equal treatment without discrimination
Law 15/2022, of July 12, is a comprehensive regulation that reinforces equal treatment and non-discrimination in all areas, including the digital world.
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Impact on the web: Article 17, point 3, emphasizes that websites and computer applications must "tend to meet accessibility requirements." The objective is clear: to guarantee equality and non-discrimination in access for all users, with special attention to people with disabilities and the elderly.
Royal Decree 1112/2018: accessibility of the public sector
This Royal Decree focuses on the accessibility of public sector websites and mobile applications in Spain. It defines accessibility as the set of principles and techniques necessary to design, build, and maintain digital platforms that guarantee equality and non-discrimination in access.
This law requires the implementation of WCAG 2.1 Level AA in the public sector and, under certain circumstances, also in the private sector, and is mandatory if you work for the government.
Royal Legislative Decree 1/2013: General Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
This Fundamental Law is the cornerstone of the rights of people with disabilities and their social inclusion in Spain. It recognizes this group as vulnerable and seeks to eliminate the barriers that have limited their basic rights and personal development.
Although it is a general law, it lays the groundwork for all subsequent accessibility regulations, upholding the right to equal access to resources and services for all.
UNE-EN 301-549:2022: Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services
This Spanish technical standard (UNE) is identical to its European version and is the technical reference for ensuring accessibility. It establishes the functional requirements that ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) products and services must meet, including mobile phones, computers, and, of course, websites.
Its web guidelines are directly based on the W3C's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1 level AA), which is the main technical reference for compliance in Europe.
Web Accessibility Regulations in Europe: The Common Framework
The European Union's approach has been to establish a solid legal framework that promotes digital accessibility in all Member States, harmonizing requirements and promoting a more inclusive single market.
Here are the key directives and regulations governing accessibility at the European level:
Directive (EU) 2016/2102: Accessibility of the Public Sector (Web and Apps)
This European Directive is a fundamental pillar for the accessibility of websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies in the European Union.
It requires Member States to ensure that these platforms are accessible and has been the basis for the development of national regulations, such as Royal Decree 1112/2018 in Spain.
European Accessibility Act (EAA) - Directive (EU) 2019/882
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a crucial directive that extends mandatory digital accessibility to private sector products and services across the EU. It covers areas as diverse as websites, e-commerce, banking, passenger transport, e-books, and more.
It is vital to remember that this regulation came into force on June 28, 2025, directly affecting a wide range of companies operating in the European Union.
EN 301 549 V3.2.1 (2021-03): Accessibility Requirements for ICT
This harmonized European standard (identical to UNE-EN 301-549:2022 in Spain) establishes the detailed functional requirements that guarantee that ICT products and services —from mobile phones and computers to web pages— are accessible.
Its web guidelines are directly based on the W3C's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1), which is the main technical reference for compliance in Europe.
Global Web Accessibility Standards and Guidelines: WCAG, ADA, and the Equality Act (UK)
Beyond the specific legislation of each country or region, there are international standards that serve as a technical basis for implementing web accessibility.
These standards are essential to ensuring an inclusive digital experience anywhere in the world.
W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), are the most important global technical standard for web accessibility.
They provide detailed guidelines on how to make web content accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities.
The latest versions, such as WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.2 Level AA, are the universal technical reference for compliance with most accessibility laws worldwide.
Virtually all regulations (including the EAA and RD 1112/2018) rely on these guidelines to define their technical requirements.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - United States
Although not a technology-specific law, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a U.S. civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. U.S. courts have increasingly interpreted this to include access to websites and mobile apps.
The U.S. Department of Justice has affirmed that websites offering goods or services to the public must be accessible, often using WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the standard for compliance. For many companies operating in the U.S. market, complying with the ADA is as crucial as European or Spanish regulations.
Equality Act 2010 - United Kingdom
The UK's Equality Act 2010 is a fundamental law that prohibits discrimination on the grounds of disability in access to goods, facilities, and services. Although it doesn't explicitly mention websites, the statutory interpretation extends it to online services.
This means that companies and organizations operating in the UK have a legal obligation to ensure their digital platforms are accessible to people with disabilities. Failure to do so can lead to discrimination claims.
How does accedeMe help you comply with Web Accessibility laws?
Understanding the complex web of web accessibility regulations is the first step. The next step is ensuring your digital project complies with them. At accedeMe, we are your expert allies in navigating this legal framework, ensuring that your website is not only inclusive but also 100% compliant with the law.
We protect you from legal risks and sanctions with our comprehensive solutions. We help you expand your audience and strengthen your brand reputation.
Here's how we help you ensure compliance:
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Detailed accessibility audits: We perform exhaustive analyses of your website to identify each point of non-compliance with regulations such as WCAG 2.1/2.2 Level AA, EAA, ADA and the Spanish Royal Decrees. Our reports are clear, actionable, and prepare you for any certification or legal requirement.
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Expert consulting and support: We don't just tell you what to do; we support you throughout the entire process. Our specialists guide you through the implementation of the necessary improvements, from the design phase to launch, ensuring that each step complies with current legislation.
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Certificates of Compliance: Once your website is accessible, we issue certification seals that publicly demonstrate your commitment to inclusion and regulatory compliance. This builds trust with your users and validates your efforts with the authorities.
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Widget de accedeMe: The accedeMe Widget, a product developed by us, offers a set of utilities and solutions that code alone cannot easily provide. It allows, for example, to apply contrast adjustments for different types of color blindness, or to activate a magnifying glass for people with low vision. These unique features help comply with multiple international regulations (such as WCAG, EAA, ADA, and UNE-EN 301549), allowing visitors to adapt the site to their needs easily and instantly.
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Content Remediation: Accessibility goes beyond the web. We make your PDFs, documents, and multimedia content fully accessible, ensuring that all your digital communication complies with the law.
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VPAT Service: If your business operates in markets where the VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is required, such as in public procurement, we assist you in its generation to certify the conformity of your products and services.
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Specialized training: We train your team with the knowledge and tools necessary to create and maintain an accessible digital environment from the start, promoting a culture of internal inclusion.
Don't let legal compliance be a concern. With AccedeMe, you'll turn an obligation into an opportunity to reach more customers and strengthen your brand.