Web Accessibility Directive
EU Directive 2016/2102 — the WAD. Requires public-sector body websites and mobile apps to meet EN 301 549 (which embeds WCAG 2.1 AA). Distinct from the EAA, which targets private-sector products and services. Some operators fall under both regimes.
An earlier EU law making public-sector websites and apps accessible — separate from the Accessibility Act, which covers private business.
WAD applies to public-sector bodies as defined by Directive 2014/24/EU. It requires an accessibility statement on each in-scope site/app, a working feedback mechanism, and periodic monitoring by Member States (typically a sample audit every 3 years). Reports are published and submitted to the Commission.
Waarom dit belangrijk is
WAD has been enforceable since 2019/2020 (depending on content age) and has a mature accessibility statement regime, monitoring methodology, and feedback mechanism. Private-sector operators preparing for EAA can borrow the WAD playbook — the underlying standard (EN 301 549) is the same.