In France, web accessibility is governed by a specific legal and technical framework: RGAA. Yet for many organizations, the term remains unclear, often confused with WCAG or reduced to a simple checklist exercise. RGAA is more than a standard; it is the official reference used to assess whether digital services are accessible to people with disabilities under French law.
This article explains what RGAA is, how it works, and why understanding it is essential for teams delivering compliant digital products and professional Web Accessibility services.
What Does RGAA Mean?
RGAA stands for Référentiel Général d’Amélioration de l’Accessibilité. In simple terms, it is France’s official accessibility standard for digital services.
RGAA defines how websites, mobile applications, and digital documents must be designed so they are accessible to people with disabilities. This includes users who are blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, have motor disabilities, cognitive impairments, or use assistive technologies like screen readers or keyboard navigation.
RGAA is not a suggestion or best practice, it is a legal framework tied directly to French law.
The Legal Foundation of RGAA
RGAA is based on Law No. 2005-102 on equal rights and opportunities, participation, and citizenship for people with disabilities. This law established the obligation for public digital services to be accessible.
Over time, RGAA has evolved to align with European regulations and international standards. Today, it is closely mapped to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), published by the W3C.
Failing to comply with RGAA can result in:
- Legal risk
- Reputational damage
- Exclusion of users
- Financial penalties in some cases
This is why many organizations now rely on professional Web Accessibility services to ensure compliance.
Who Must Comply with RGAA?
RGAA compliance is mandatory for:
- Government websites and services
- Local authorities and public institutions
- Publicly funded organizations
- Some private companies providing public services or meeting size/revenue thresholds
Even when RGAA is not legally mandatory, many private organizations choose to follow it as a risk-management and inclusivity strategy.
RGAA Compliance Requirements by Organization Type
| Organization Type | RGAA Compliance Required? | Notes |
| Government websites | Mandatory | Includes ministries, agencies, and state portals |
| Local authorities | Mandatory | Municipalities, regional platforms |
| Public institutions | Mandatory | Universities, public hospitals |
| Publicly funded organizations | Mandatory | NGOs or entities receiving state funding |
| Private companies delivering public services | Conditional | Applies if operating under public mandate |
| Large private enterprises | Conditional | May apply depending on size & revenue |
| SMEs (non-public role) | Not mandatory | Often adopt RGAA voluntarily |
| E-commerce platforms | Not mandatory (yet) | Recommended for risk mitigation |
| Startups | Not mandatory | Best practice for inclusive design |
| Digital service providers | Increasingly expected | Especially in public-sector projects |
RGAA vs WCAG: What’s the Difference?
A common question is: Why RGAA when WCAG already exists?
Here’s the simple answer:
- WCAG is an international accessibility standard
- RGAA is France’s legal implementation of WCAG
RGAA takes WCAG principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust) and turns them into:
- Measurable criteria
- Testable conditions
- A standardized audit methodology
So while WCAG explains what accessibility is, RGAA explains how to verify it in France.
RGAA vs WCAG – Key Differences
| Aspect | WCAG | RGAA |
| Scope | International accessibility guidelines | France’s official legal accessibility framework |
| Authority | Published by W3C | Issued by the French government |
| Legal Status | Not legally binding on its own | Legally enforceable in France |
| Purpose | Defines accessibility principles | Defines how to verify accessibility compliance |
| Structure | Guidelines & success criteria | Testable criteria & audit methodology |
| Focus | What accessibility should achieve | How accessibility must be measured |
| Usage | Global reference standard | Mandatory for French public sector |
| Audit Method | Flexible interpretation | Standardized evaluation process |
| Output | Conformance levels (A, AA, AAA) | Compliance status (Compliant / Non-compliant / Not Applicable) |
| Practical Role | Strategic guidance | Operational enforcement |
How RGAA Is Structured
RGAA is organized into:
- 13 thematic categories (images, colors, navigation, forms, scripts, etc.)
- 106 accessibility criteria (in RGAA 4.x)
- Test conditions to objectively assess compliance
Each criterion is evaluated as:
- Compliant
- Non-compliant
- Not applicable
This structure makes RGAA highly technical, which is why audits and remediation often require specialized Web Accessibility services.
What Is an RGAA Accessibility Audit?
An RGAA audit is a formal evaluation of a digital product against RGAA criteria. It includes:
- Manual testing (keyboard navigation, screen readers, focus management)
- Automated checks (contrast, semantics, ARIA usage)
- Review of templates and representative pages
The result is:
- A compliance score
- A list of non-conformities
- Actionable recommendations
Audits must be conducted using the official RGAA methodology to be legally valid.
The Accessibility Declaration Requirement
RGAA also requires organizations to publish an accessibility declaration on their website. This declaration states:
- The level of RGAA compliance
- Known accessibility issues
- Contact methods for reporting problems
- A remediation roadmap (multi-year accessibility plan)
This transparency is a legal obligation not a marketing statement.
Why RGAA Matters Beyond Compliance
RGAA is not just about avoiding penalties. Accessible websites:
- Reach more users
- Improve usability for everyone
- Perform better in SEO
- Reduce technical debt
- Improve brand credibility
Organizations that invest early in RGAA-compliant design and Web Accessibility services typically save time and cost compared to late-stage fixes.
Getting Started with RGAA
If you’re new to RGAA, the most effective first steps are:
- Conduct an initial accessibility audit
- Train design and development teams
- Integrate accessibility into design systems
- Work with specialized Web Accessibility services providers
- Treat accessibility as an ongoing process, not a one-time task
Final Thoughts
RGAA is France’s way of turning digital accessibility into a concrete, enforceable reality. While the framework is technical, its goal is simple: equal access to digital services for everyone.
Understanding RGAA and working with experienced Web Accessibility services helps organizations stay compliant, inclusive, and future-proof in an increasingly regulated digital landscape.