The ‘Design for All’ approach promotes human diversity, inclusion, and equality, enabling the widest possible use of products, goods, and services.
Accessibility is particularly important as EU member states prepare for the implementation of the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Starting in June 2025, the EAA's mandatory accessibility requirements for products and services must be met. These requirements will also be applicable in public procurement and EU-funded projects.
The EAA emphasizes that accessibility should be achieved by systematically removing and preventing barriers through a universal design or 'Design for All' approach. This principle ensures equal access for persons with disabilities.
CEN/CLC JTC 12 ‘Design for All’ develops standards for human diversity, inclusion, and equality.
This committee was responsible for EN 17161:2019, the European Standard on Design for All, which resulted from Mandate M/473. In 2022, a new Mandate M/587, was issued to revise EN 17161 and develop two additional harmonized standards:
- Accessibility of non-digital product-related information
- Accessibility of support services (help desks, call centers, technical support, relay services, and training services)
EN 17161 provides a consistent approach for organizations to integrate accessibility within their management systems, enhancing innovation, expanding market reach, and supporting sustainable development and human rights.
It also helps organizations:
- Prepare for compliance with the European Accessibility Act (EAA)
- Integrate Design for All principles with ISO 9001 or 14001 management systems
- Demonstrate accessibility capability in public procurement and EU funding
- Engage diverse users in development activities
- Improve accessibility in products and services
- Implement human-centered design processes
- Develop new accessibility features where requirements are still evolving
