Breaking News! WCAG 2.2 is the New ISO/IEC 40500:2025 International Standard

The past October 2025 marked a decisive turning point for the digital world. The W3C's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 have been approved as an ISO/IEC 40500:2025 International Standard.

Although version WCAG 2.0 was already recognized as ISO/IEC 40500:2012 over a decade ago, the ratification of the latest version, 2.2, solidifies the evolution and importance of these guidelines. It is a clear statement that accessibility is no longer an extra, but a fundamental requirement for quality and legality in information technology.

🌐 What Does the ISO Seal Imply? From Recommendation to Global Law

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is responsible for creating universal rules to ensure that products, services, and systems function consistently and predictably worldwide.

1. Formal Recognition: Moving from a W3C "Recommendation" to an "ISO Standard" grants WCAG an authority and recognition that transcends the boundaries of the web.

2. Facilitates Legislation: Many countries and public procurement bodies can only formally adopt documents that are ISO standards into their laws and regulatory frameworks. This change opens the door for a growing number of nations and regions to convert the accessibility guidelines into mandatory requirements with legal weight.

3. International Harmonization: As a universal standard, it promotes the alignment and harmonization of web accessibility laws in different countries, making it easier for global businesses to achieve compliance.

In short: The ISO certification turns WCAG 2.2 into an internationally recognized technical standard, paving the way for accessibility to be a legal obligation and not just a best practice.

💡 Who Benefits from WCAG 2.2 and its New Status?

WCAG 2.2 builds upon previous versions (2.0 and 2.1), including 9 new Success Criteria that enhance accessibility, especially for users with:

• Cognitive and Learning disabilities.

• Low vision and disabilities on Mobile devices.

By becoming an ISO standard, the impact of these guidelines is maximized, benefiting:

• People with Disabilities (PwD): It ensures they can effectively access and operate web content, promoting digital inclusion.

• Governments and Public Bodies: It provides them with a solid, recognized foundation to establish their procurement policies and legal accessibility requirements.

• Businesses: It offers a clear reference framework and a globally recognized quality seal for building and maintaining websites that comply with the law and reach a broader audience.

At Inclusif, we celebrate this achievement. Elevating WCAG 2.2 to an ISO standard is a monumental step toward a truly universal Internet. It is the perfect time for your organization to not only comply but to lead the way toward digital inclusion.