Imagine you’ve just sat down at Restaurant Accessible, and your waiter approaches with the day’s menu of VPAT options. You’re not quite sure which edition to select.
And remember a VPAT is the template that we fill in to get an accounting of your product or service’s accessibility – now that you know you need one, the next question is which edition to use?
As your trusted accessibility guides, we’ll confidently recommend the WCAG edition every time—it’s our chef’s specialty for good reason. Just as a sommelier pairs the perfect wine with your meal, we’re here to pair you with the ideal VPAT for your accessibility and compliance needs.
There are four different editions (WCAG, 508, EU, and INT) on the menu so it’s understandable why you wouldn’t be sure. Here’s why the WCAG edition is our soup of the day, every day:
- Universal applicability: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are internationally recognized standards that apply to virtually all digital products
- Streamlined focus: Unlike the INT edition which combines multiple standards, the WCAG edition focuses specifically on the core technical standards most buyers require
- Flexibility: The WCAG edition allows you to specify which version (2.0, 2.1, or 2.2) and conformance level (A, AA, AAA) you’re documenting against
- Wide acceptance: Most procurement teams are familiar with WCAG standards and accept documentation based on WCAG 2.1 AA or WCAG 2.2 AA standards
In our experience working with hundreds of clients, we estimate 80% choose the WCAG edition for their Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). (The ACR is the document that results when your VPAT is filled in and completed.)
But another recommendation we always toss in: if possible, ask the procurement agent making the purchase; they might have a specific edition they’re looking for.
When to Consider Other Editions
While the WCAG edition is our default recommendation, there are specific scenarios where other editions make more sense:
Section 508 Edition
Choose this edition when:
- Selling directly to United States federal agencies
- Required specifically by a procurement team referencing Section 508
- Working under a contract that explicitly requires Section 508 documentation
EU Edition
Choose this edition when:
- Selling primarily to European public sector organizations
- Marketing products in regions where EN 301 549 is the mandated standard
- Required to demonstrate compliance with the European Accessibility Act
International (INT) Edition
Choose this edition when:
- Selling globally to diverse markets with different regulatory requirements
- Needing to document conformance against multiple standards simultaneously
- Working with buyers who explicitly request comprehensive documentation covering all standards
VPAT Edition Costs
Here is what we charge for VPAT services on each edition:
- WCAG Edition: $550
- 508 Edition: $650
- EU Edition: $750
- INT Edition: $950
Note that the audit cost remains the same regardless of edition choice (you can calculate your estimate by multiplying $275 by the number of pages/screens in scope).
Making Your Decision
When deciding which VPAT edition to use, use our super helpful decision tree:
- Do you have a specific requirement from a buyer? If yes, use their requested edition
- Are you selling to US federal government? If yes, use 508 edition
- Are you focused primarily on European markets? If yes, consider the EU edition
- Do you need to document against multiple standards? If yes, consider the INT edition
- None of the above? Default to the WCAG edition
The WCAG edition provides the most straightforward path to documenting your product’s accessibility while meeting the requirements of most procurement processes.
If you’re still unsure which edition best suits your needs, contact our team for a consultation. We can consult with you on determining the best option based on your specific product, market, and procurement requirements.
Also, if you need help determining the appropriate scope (page/screens) for your audit, just send us a message. We’ll be happy to scope everything out and provide you a proposal with quote.
