RGAA: the French digital accessibility standard explained
Updated October 14, 2026 · 4 min read
The RGAA (Référentiel général d'amélioration de l'accessibilité) is the French government's method for checking whether a website or app meets the accessibility standard. If you build or run sites in France, it is the reference you will hear about; it is built on WCAG 2.1 AA and the European standard EN 301 549. This page summarises what the official sources say. It is general information, not legal advice.
RGAA version and structure
According to the official site accessibilite.numerique.gouv.fr, the current version is RGAA 4.1.2, first published on 16 September 2019 and updated on 18 April 2023. It has 106 control criteria, with about 2.5 tests per criterion on average. The site states that RGAA version 5 is being drafted, with publication planned for late 2026.
RGAA vs WCAG
The RGAA is not a separate set of requirements. Its introduction says it covers the 50 success criteria of WCAG 2.1 at levels A and AA, which were selected for the reference standard EN 301 549 V2.1.2. The RGAA turns them into concrete criteria and tests.
For native mobile apps, software and hardware, the introduction says EN 301 549 itself must be checked directly.
| WCAG 2.1 AA | RGAA 4.1.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Author | W3C | French government |
| Form | 50 success criteria (A and AA) | 106 criteria with tests |
| Purpose | International guideline | French method for checking conformity |
A site that meets WCAG 2.2 AA covers the WCAG 2.1 AA criteria behind the RGAA, apart from 4.1.1 Parsing, which WCAG 2.2 removed. The RGAA's own tests can still be stricter in detail, so an RGAA audit is done against the RGAA itself.
Who must apply it
The scope page bases the obligation on article 47 of law no. 2005-102 of 11 February 2005. It covers:
- public law bodies;
- private bodies delegated a public service mission;
- certain private bodies serving general-interest needs, such as those set up by public bodies;
- companies with an average annual turnover in France of 250 million euros or more over the last three closed financial years.
Audiovisual media service providers are not covered, nor are non-profit private bodies that provide neither essential public services nor services specifically for people with disabilities. The official site also describes the required accessibility statement (déclaration d'accessibilité), multi-year plan (schéma pluriannuel) and mandatory notices.
The European Accessibility Act in France
Separately, the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) applies in France from 28 June 2025, according to a DGCCRF information sheet. It covers services such as e-commerce, consumer banking, electronic communications and passenger transport, and the DGCCRF checks them. The sheet lists decree 2023-931 and the order of 9 October 2023 as the French texts, with article L.412-13 of the Consumer Code, and refers to EN 301 549 V3.2.1 and the RGAA for further reading.
Service providers employing fewer than 10 people with annual turnover or balance sheet total below 2 million euros have no accessibility obligation under these rules. Not sure whether your shop is covered? Check who the EAA applies to and read the EAA guide.
Checking a site against WCAG and the RGAA
An automated scan finds part of the WCAG issues. Our free check and WCAG checker test a page against WCAG 2.2 A and AA, with the WCAG criterion and EN 301 549 clause for each finding. They do not run the RGAA test protocol, and most RGAA criteria need a person. Use the scan to fix code-level issues early, then test manually — see how to test WCAG — or commission an accessibility audit. A scan is an automated check, not a full audit.
Sources
- accessibilite.numerique.gouv.fr, RGAA 4.1.2: https://accessibilite.numerique.gouv.fr/
- accessibilite.numerique.gouv.fr, RGAA introduction (WCAG 2.1, EN 301 549 V2.1.2): https://accessibilite.numerique.gouv.fr/methode/introduction/
- accessibilite.numerique.gouv.fr, scope of the legal obligation: https://accessibilite.numerique.gouv.fr/obligations/champ-application/
- DGCCRF / handicap.gouv.fr, consumer information sheet on Directive (EU) 2019/882: https://handicap.gouv.fr/sites/handicap/files/2025-07/Fiche-conso-DGCCRF.pdf
Frequently asked questions
What is the RGAA?
The Référentiel général d'amélioration de l'accessibilité, the French government method for checking digital services against the accessibility standard. The current version is 4.1.2, with 106 control criteria.
What is the relation between the RGAA and WCAG?
The RGAA covers the 50 success criteria of WCAG 2.1 at levels A and AA, which were selected for the reference standard EN 301 549 V2.1.2. It turns them into 106 criteria with concrete tests.
Who must apply the RGAA?
Under article 47 of law 2005-102: public bodies, private bodies with a public service mission or serving general-interest needs, and companies with an average annual turnover in France of 250 million euros or more.
Does the European Accessibility Act apply in France?
Yes. Since 28 June 2025 its requirements apply to services such as e-commerce, and the DGCCRF checks them. Micro-enterprises providing services, with fewer than 10 employees and turnover or balance sheet under 2 million euros, have no obligation.
Is there a new RGAA version?
The official site says version 5 of the RGAA is being drafted, with publication planned for late 2026.