New ISO Standards, WCAG 2.2 Conformance, and Their Impact
As organizations adapt to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), specifically WCAG 2.2, global conversations around accessibility are shifting towards international harmonization. On October 21, 2025, the W3C standard Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 was approved by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as ISO/IEC 40500:2025.
ISO/IEC 40500:2025 signals a new bridge, establishing accessibility as a global benchmark rather than a regional obligation. What does that mean for you and your organization?
What Are ISO Standards?
ISO standards are internationally agreed-upon criteria by experts worldwide. Regulators and governments rely on ISO standards to inform policy frameworks. Businesses use these guidelines to develop products and systems that ensure usability, safety, and consistency worldwide.
Meaning, ISO standards govern everything from the shoes we wear to the safety of our children’s toys to the Wi-Fi networks we use. They help ensure that products are safe, reliable, and of high quality in our globalized world.
Accessibility standards are no exception. While U.S. legislation, such as HR 3417, risks missing an opportunity to align with international standards, the update to ISO/IEC 40500:2025 shows how WCAG 2.2 is becoming more formally embedded into this global framework.
Benefits of ISO Standards in Accessibility
Global Consistency
Instead of navigating conflicting requirements country by country, organizations gain a unified set of expectations. For accessibility, ISO/IEC 40500:2025 helps create a harmonized standard across regions.
Higher Consumer Confidence
International Standards provide consumers with assurance that the products, services, and digital experiences they use are trustworthy and safe.
Better Regulatory Alignment
Governments often base legislation on ISO guidelines, making compliance pathways more transparent and more predictable. For example, in the EU, compliance with the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is linked to the European Standard (EN) standard EN 301 549. ISO/IEC 40500:2025 similarly enables more countries internationally to formally adopt WCAG 2.2.
Aligning with WCAG 2.2 and ISO/IEC 40500:2025
Accessible Web RAMP is a digital accessibility platform designed to help organizations, both small and large, navigate both WCAG 2.2 and, by extension, the ISO/IEC 40500:2025 standard with confidence.
- Align with WCAG 2.2 with RAMP: Accessible Web RAMP’s automated and manual testing tools map directly to WCAG 2.2 success criteria. We’ll support teams through accessibility audits, remediation, and ongoing monitoring. (Plus, learn WCAG along the way!)
- WCAG Audits and VPATs: Generate documentation that aligns with global compliance frameworks, making it easier to demonstrate readiness for EAA, EN 301 549, and future ISO and WCAG-based requirements. So you’ll know exactly where you are and where you need to be.
- Organization-wide education: RAMP embeds accessibility into design, development, QA, and leadership workflows. It also teaches you how to implement the integrated approach expected by ISO standards.
