A VPAT references one or more recognized accessibility standards depending on the edition selected. The four standards are WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), Section 508, EN 301 549, and the INT edition, which combines all three. The edition you choose determines which standard your Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) will document. For most SaaS companies and digital product vendors selling commercially, the WCAG edition is the default. Government procurement in the United States typically requires Section 508. European public sector procurement requires EN 301 549. Multinational vendors often use INT to cover every standard in a single document.
| VPAT Edition | Standard Referenced | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| WCAG | WCAG 2.1 AA or WCAG 2.2 AA | SaaS vendors, commercial buyers, private sector |
| Section 508 | Revised Section 508 (incorporates WCAG 2.0 AA) | U.S. federal government procurement |
| EU | EN 301 549 | European public sector procurement |
| INT | WCAG, Section 508, and EN 301 549 | Multinational vendors covering all markets |
The WCAG Edition
The WCAG edition references the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines published by the W3C. Most ACRs issued today document conformance against WCAG 2.1 AA, with WCAG 2.2 AA gaining traction as more buyers request it.
This edition is the right choice when your buyer is a private sector company, a SaaS customer, or any organization that uses WCAG as the benchmark for digital accessibility. The guidelines apply to web content, web apps, mobile apps, and software interfaces.
The Section 508 Edition
The Section 508 edition references the Revised Section 508 standards, which apply to information and communication technology procured by U.S. federal agencies. Revised Section 508 incorporates WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA by reference, then adds further requirements specific to hardware, software, and support documentation.
If you sell to the federal government or to contractors fulfilling federal contracts, the Section 508 edition is what procurement teams expect to see.
The EU Edition
The EU edition references EN 301 549, the European harmonized standard for accessibility requirements in ICT products and services. EN 301 549 incorporates WCAG 2.1 AA and adds further criteria covering non-web software, hardware, documentation, and support services.
EN 301 549 is the standard cited in the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and is required for public sector procurement across EU member states. With EAA enforcement now active, more private sector buyers in Europe are also requesting this edition.
The INT Edition
The INT edition combines all three standards: WCAG, Section 508, and EN 301 549. It produces a single ACR that documents conformance against every major accessibility standard in one document.
This edition is most useful for vendors selling globally who want one document that satisfies buyers in any market. It is longer and more detailed, but it eliminates the need to maintain separate ACRs for different regions.
Which Edition Should You Choose?
The edition depends entirely on who is asking for the ACR. If a buyer specifies an edition, follow their request. If you are producing an ACR proactively for sales and procurement, the WCAG edition covers most commercial scenarios. Vendors with U.S. federal contracts need Section 508. Vendors selling into Europe need the EU edition. Vendors with all three audiences benefit from INT.
An accurate ACR requires an accessibility evaluation against the same standard the edition references. The evaluation identifies issues, and the ACR documents conformance based on those findings. Without the evaluation, the ACR has no foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate VPAT for each standard?
Not if you choose the INT edition, which combines all three standards in one document. Otherwise, yes, each edition produces its own ACR. Many vendors start with the WCAG edition and add others as buyer requests come in.
Does Section 508 still reference WCAG 2.0?
Yes. Revised Section 508 incorporates WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA by reference. Some vendors voluntarily evaluate against WCAG 2.1 AA as well to align with current commercial expectations, but the formal Section 508 standard remains tied to WCAG 2.0.
Is WCAG 2.2 AA replacing 2.1 AA in VPATs?
WCAG 2.1 AA remains the most common standard referenced in ACRs today. WCAG 2.2 AA is growing in adoption as buyers update their procurement language. The choice depends on what your buyers request and what version your evaluation was conducted against.
What happens if my VPAT references the wrong standard?
An ACR referencing the wrong standard will not satisfy a buyer’s procurement requirements. If a federal agency asks for Section 508 and you provide a WCAG-only ACR, the document will be rejected or returned for correction. Confirm the edition before the evaluation begins.
The standard your ACR references should match what your buyer expects and what your evaluation covers. Get those two things aligned before the document is produced.
Need an ACR that references the right standard for your buyers? Contact Accessible.org to start the process.
