With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) now in effect, more organizations are asking how to ensure compliance. VPATs play an important role in determining product accessibility and should be understood by vendors, procurement teams, resellers, and customers in the EU. Read on to learn more about what VPATs are and how they relate to the European Accessibility Act, or explore ViewSonic’s EAA-ready solutions now. Accessibility terms like VPAT, WCAG, EN 301 549, DoC, and CE marking can sound overwhelming at first. Many organizations know accessibility matters, but they are still figuring out how all these pieces connect. In this guide, we’ll explain what a VPAT is, why it supports accessibility efforts, and how it fits into the broader picture of EAA compliance. Understanding the European Accessibility Act The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a European Union law designed to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It creates shared accessibility requirements for digital products and services sold in the EU. As of June 28, 2025, organizations selling covered technologies in the European market need to meet certain accessibility expectations and provide supporting documentation. Failure to comply could result in removal from the market, fines, and even legal action. The goal of the EAA is simple: Make technology easier for everyone to use. That includes people who: Use screen readers Navigate with keyboards instead of a mouse Need captions or audio support Have limited vision or hearing Use assistive devices Need clearer layouts and easier navigation The EAA affects many types of technology, including: Displays and interactive screens Websites and apps Software platforms Communication tools E-commerce services Educational technology For procurement teams and partners, accessibility is becoming an important part of evaluating products and vendors. EN 301 549 and WCAG in Brief To understand VPATs, it helps to know the standards they often report against. Two of the most common are EN 301 549 and WCAG. EN 301 549 is the main European accessibility standard for information and communication technology (ICT ) products and services. It covers areas such as software, websites, hardware, documents, and user support. It also helps organizations understand what accessibility can mean under EAA compliance. WCAG, or Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, focuses on digital accessibility for websites, apps, and software interfaces. Many procurement teams look for WCAG 2.1 Level AA alignment because it is widely used as a practical accessibility benchmark. In short, WCAG and EN 301 549 describe accessibility expectations. A VPAT explains how a specific product performs against those expectations. How to Show EAA Compliance Organizations usually need more than just good intentions to support accessibility claims. Procurement teams often ask vendors for documentation that explains how products meet accessibility standards. This documentation can include a: Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) Declaration of Conformity (DoC) CE conformity marking information Internal accessibility testing report A Declaration of Conformity, often shortened to DoC, is a formal statement that a product meets applicable EU requirements. A CE mark or CE conformity marking shows that a product meets certain European Union safety, health, environmental, and regulatory requirements. Under the EAA, accessibility may become part of those broader compliance discussions for covered products. These kinds of documentation help procurement teams compare vendors and reduce uncertainty during purchasing decisions. They also help technology vendors build trust. What is a VPAT? A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template, or VPAT, is a reporting framework developed by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) to help organizations document how their technology supports accessibility standards, such as WCAG and EN 301 549. Put simply, a VPAT works like a detailed accessibility report card. It usually explains: Which accessibility criteria a product supports Which areas may still have limitations How accessibility was tested Which standards were used during evaluation When completed, a VPAT often becomes part of an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), which is the finished report procurement teams review. How VPATs Support Accessibility VPATs help accessibility conversations become more transparent and easier to evaluate. Without a VPAT, buyers may struggle to understand: Whether a product was accessibility tested Which standards were considered Whether assistive technologies are supported How accessibility gaps are being addressed A VPAT can make vendor comparisons easier for procurement teams during requests for proposals (RFPs), tenders, and purchasing reviews. For resellers and partners, it can help answer customer questions more confidently. It also demonstrates a vendor’s commitment to accessibility-conscious design and ongoing improvement. Note that a VPAT itself is not a certification. A VPAT doesn’t automatically mean a product is “fully compliant” or legally approved. Instead, it is a transparency document that explains accessibility support in detail. This is one reason people sometimes confuse: VPAT vs. WCAG VPAT vs. compliance VPAT vs. accessibility certification WCAG is an accessibility standard, as is EN 301 549. A VPAT is the reporting document used to explain accessibility support against these standards. In educational environments especially, accessibility documentation is becoming more important as schools and institutions look for technology that supports inclusive learning experiences. ViewSonic’s accessibility-focused ecosystem reflects this broader commitment to inclusive technology design. Solutions like ViewBoard® interactive displays and the myViewBoard® digital whiteboarding platform support accessibility-conscious classrooms through features like high-resolution displays, speech-to-text, live collaboration tools, and support for assistive devices. How to Get a VPAT and When Many organizations wonder how to actually obtain a VPAT, but this can mean two things: Creating a VPAT for a product that you intend to sell to prove compliance Checking that a product you intend to buy has a VPAT that shows compliance In most cases, the product vendor creates the document using ITI’s VPAT® template after evaluating their product against accessibility standards like WCAG or EN 301 549. This process may involve: Internal accessibility testing Third-party accessibility reviews Manual audits Automated accessibility testing tools Assistive technology testing Some organizations refer to this process informally as a VPAT audit, though the VPAT itself is the document created after accessibility evaluation. Procurement teams usually request VPATs: During vendor selection Before large purchases During public-sector procurement reviews When accessibility documentation is required Resellers and partners may also request VPATs to help answer customer questions or support accessibility discussions during sales processes. Importantly, accessibility is not a one-time task. As products evolve, accessibility testing and VPAT documentation may need updates as well. Organizations that approach accessibility as an ongoing process are often better prepared for changing standards, customer expectations, and EAA compliance requirements. Final Thoughts As accessibility expectations continue evolving across Europe, VPATs are becoming an increasingly important way to ensure EAA compliance during procurement. They help vendors communicate accessibility efforts more clearly while giving buyers and partners better visibility into how products align with standards like WCAG and EN 301 549. At the same time, it’s good to remember that accessibility is not just about documentation. Strong accessibility practices start with thoughtful product design, ongoing testing, and a commitment to creating technology that works for more people. ViewSonic continues supporting accessibility-conscious innovation through its hardware and software solutions, with VPATs to show European Accessibility Act conformance. Learn more about ViewSonic’s EAA readiness now. Frequently Asked Questions About VPATs What is a VPAT? A VPAT, or Voluntary Product Accessibility Template, is a document that explains how a product supports accessibility standards like WCAG and EN 301 549. Organizations like ViewSonic use VPATs to share accessibility information with procurement teams, customers, partners, and public-sector buyers during purchasing and compliance reviews. What does VPAT stand for? VPAT stands for Voluntary Product Accessibility Template. The document helps vendors explain how accessible their products are and how they align with accessibility standards and requirements. Is a VPAT the same as WCAG? No. WCAG is an accessibility standard, while a VPAT is a reporting document. A VPAT may use WCAG criteria to explain how a product supports accessibility, but the VPAT itself is not the accessibility standard. Does a VPAT prove EAA compliance? Not necessarily. A VPAT does not prove EAA compliance on its own. It is a document that explains how a product supports accessibility standards like WCAG and EN 301 549. For procurement teams and partners, VPATs are an important tool because they provide transparency into a vendor’s accessibility efforts and help support more informed purchasing decisions. ViewSonic supports these conversations through EAA-compliant solutions and with VPATs that document accessibility. How do you get a VPAT? Organizations usually create a VPAT after testing their products against accessibility standards such as WCAG or EN 301 549. This may involve internal testing, third-party accessibility reviews, assistive technology evaluations, and documentation work. When purchasing from another organization, buyers can request a VPAT to understand how the product meets accessibility standards like EN 301 549. What is the difference between a VPAT and a Declaration of Conformity? A VPAT explains how a product supports accessibility standards, while a Declaration of Conformity is a formal statement that a product meets applicable regulatory requirements. Under EAA compliance discussions, organizations may use both documents for different purposes. What is CE marking? CE marking, sometimes called the CE mark or CE conformity marking, shows that a product meets certain European Union regulatory requirements. Depending on the product and regulations involved, accessibility may become part of broader compliance discussions connected to CE marking and EAA readiness. TAGS accessibility complianceAccessibility Conformance ReportACRCE markingDigital AccessibilityEAAEAA complianceEN 301 549European Accessibility ActVoluntary Product Accessibility TemplateVPATWCAG SHARE