WCAG 2.2 is now an ISO standard: Why it belongs on your board agenda

Something quietly significant happened on 21 October 2025. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 became an official international standard: ISO/IEC 40500:2025.

If that sounds like another incremental update to the evolving WCAG guidelines, think again. This changes the conversation around digital accessibility in boardrooms, procurement departments, and legal teams worldwide.

WCAG has shaped accessibility legislation for years - from the UK PSBAR to Europe EN 301 549. But until now, it was not a formal ISO/IEC standard. That matters more than you might think. It is a major shift for accessibility, procurement, and digital governance.

What has actually changed?

ISO status fundamentally shifts how WCAG is perceived and applied:

• Governments can cite it as an official ISO/IEC standard in policy and regulation, strengthening its legal standing.
• Procurement teams have a recognised international benchmark to reference in contracts and supplier assessments - giving accessibility real teeth in vendor evaluations.
• Organisations gain a globally consistent framework that works across borders and industries, making it easier to implement accessibility at scale.

In practical terms, this elevates accessibility from something we should do to an international standard to be referenced in contracts and governance frameworks. And importantly, the standard is free to access, which removes a barrier that limited its wider use.

Why boards should care

Accessibility is not just a compliance issue. It is a strategic consideration that intersects with risk, procurement, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments.

• Procurement advantage: Buyers can now require conformance with ISO/IEC 40500:2025 in supplier contracts. This is not aspirational language - it is a measurable, internationally recognised standard that makes accessibility part of serious vendor evaluation.
• Regulatory alignment: Laws like the European Accessibility Act and UK public sector regulations already reference WCAG. ISO status strengthens those connections, improves enforceability, and signals where future legislation is headed.
• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) impact: Accessibility directly supports the ‘Social’ in ESG - social responsibility and inclusion. ISO recognition provides leadership with a clear, measurable way to demonstrate progress on diversity and inclusion commitments.

Forward-looking organisations are now treating accessibility as part of ESG, risk management, and digital strategy- not just a technical checkbox.

It is about better experiences, not just compliance

WCAG 2.2 introduces updates that benefit a broader range of users, including people with cognitive or motor disabilities and older adults. Features like clearer focus indicators, larger touch targets, and improved error prevention reduce friction for everyone.

Better accessibility means fewer abandoned transactions, higher customer satisfaction, and reduced support costs. The business case extends well beyond avoiding litigation.

What to do next

If you are wondering where to start, here is what we are seeing from organisations taking this seriously:

• Audit your current state Assess your digital products against WCAG 2.2 / ISO/IEC 40500:2025. Identify the high-risk areas affecting users and compliance.
• Integrate accessibility into procurement Make it a scored part of vendor selection. Ask for evidence of conformance and clear remediation plans.
• Build skills internally Train design, development, content, and QA teams so accessibility is part of the process, not an afterthought.
• Get leadership involved Ensure executives understand how accessibility connects to inclusion, ESG, and enterprise risk.

How we can help

At User Vision, we support organisations in meeting ISO/IEC 40500:2025 through a full range of accessibility services, including:

• Auditing & Accreditation
• Maturity Audits
• Training & Empathy Workshops
• Inclusive Research & User Testing
• Consultancy & Strategic Support

These services help you move beyond compliance to deliver accessible, inclusive experiences that work for everyone.

Now that WCAG 2.2 is an official ISO/IEC standard, accessibility carries more weight, more credibility, and more actionable authority than ever before.

Leading on inclusion today builds trust with every user tomorrow.

Further reading:

• W3C press release: WCAG 2.2 approved as ISO/IEC 40500:2025(this will open in a new window)