The Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 (PSBAR) is UK law, overseen by the Cabinet Office / GDS, requiring all public sector bodies to meet WCAG 2.2 AA and to publish an Accessibility Statement for every covered website and app.

What WCAG level does UK law require?

The government's guidance on the regulations says public sector websites and apps must meet WCAG 2.2 AA (the regulations themselves point to the EN 301 549 standard). Private organisations have no fixed technical standard, but WCAG 2.2 AA is the usual benchmark for the Equality Act duty.

Who has to comply with PSBAR?

PSBAR covers public sector bodies, including most universities. Charities and other non-government organisations are exempt unless they are mostly publicly funded, provide services essential to the public or are aimed at disabled people; public service broadcasters are exempt; schools and nurseries are partly exempt but still publish a statement. Private-sector organisations are not directly covered by PSBAR, but are separately subject to the Equality Act 2010, which covers reasonable adjustments for disabled users across the whole economy.

Is the Equality Act 2010 the same law as PSBAR?

No. They are two separate, real UK laws. PSBAR (2018) is a specific, public-sector-only technical regulation requiring WCAG 2.2 AA and a published Accessibility Statement. The Equality Act 2010 is a much broader civil-rights law with no fixed technical spec, covering reasonable adjustments for any organisation offering goods, services, or facilities to the public, in the public or private sector.

What must a compliant UK Accessibility Statement include?

Based on PSBAR's own requirement to publish an Accessibility Statement, a compliant one states your current WCAG 2.2 AA conformance status, lists any known non-accessible content, and provides a contact method for people to report accessibility problems.

Legal · United Kingdom

UK Accessibility Regulations

Two separate UK laws govern digital accessibility: the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 (PSBAR) and the Equality Act 2010. This guide covers what each requires.

Standard: WCAG 2.2 AAPSBAR: Since 2018Regulator: Cabinet Office / GDS

Two Separate UK Laws

"UK accessibility law" is not one single statute. These are two distinct, real laws with different scope.

Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 (PSBAR)

Since 2018 · Cabinet Office / GDS

UK law requiring all public sector bodies to meet WCAG 2.2 AA. Requires a published Accessibility Statement for every covered website and app.

WCAG 2.2 AA (per government guidance)Public sector bodies, including most universities; schools partly exempt

Equality Act 2010

Since 2010 · UK Parliament

Broader equality law covering the whole economy, not just the public sector. Service providers must make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, and an inaccessible website can amount to a failure to do so.

No fixed technical spec (reasonable adjustments duty)All organisations offering goods, services, or facilities to the public

PSBAR Compliance Checklist

A practical action list for UK public sector bodies working toward PSBAR compliance.

Audit all public-facing web properties and apps against WCAG 2.2 AA

Critical

Publish an Accessibility Statement (required by PSBAR)

Critical

Declare current conformance status: fully, partially, or not compliant

Critical

List any known non-accessible content and the reason it isn't accessible

High

Provide a working contact method for reporting accessibility problems

High

Fix identified WCAG 2.2 AA failures and keep the statement up to date

High

Consider reasonable adjustments for disabled users under the Equality Act 2010

Medium

Document a remediation roadmap for anything not yet fixed

Medium

Who Is Covered?

Public Sector Bodies

Directly covered by PSBAR: government departments, local councils, and public authorities.

Universities & Some Charities

Most universities count as public sector bodies. Charities are covered only if mostly publicly funded, providing essential public services or aimed at disabled people.

Everyone Else: Equality Act

Private sector organisations sit outside PSBAR but remain subject to the Equality Act 2010's reasonable-adjustments duty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for compliance advice specific to your organisation.

Check Your Site Against WCAG 2.2 AA

Scan your site against the standard PSBAR requires, and generate a UK Edition VPAT for your Accessibility Statement.

Run Free UK Accessibility Scan View WCAG 2.2 Guide