Your 2026 Guide to the Updated WCAG 3.0 Standards

Expanding Beyond Standard Web Pages

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For e-commerce brands, the shopping experience is rarely just a single static page. WCAG 3.0 recognises this by allowing for the scoping of views (such as quick-add modals or pop-up carts visible in the viewport) and processes (like a multi-step checkout journey that might span multiple sites).

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The new guidelines are designed to support a much wider range of digital experiences. This includes mobile apps, digital documents like PDFs (which is highly relevant for B2B wholesale catalogues), and even augmented and virtual reality. By consolidating previously separate frameworks like ATAG, UAAG, and MWBP into one unified resource, WCAG 3.0 will be much easier to reference and maintain as technology shifts. It is also intended to be more flexible and easier to update in response to the evolving digital landscape.

A New and Flexible Approach to Compliance

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One of the biggest wins for merchants is how WCAG 3.0 measures compliance. Older versions relied on a strict, binary pass/fail model. The new system is much more flexible and offers nuanced levels of conformance, such as bronze, silver, or gold.

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This is broken down into three sets of requirements:

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• Foundational: This is similar to the current WCAG 2.2 AA standards.
• Supplemental: This level is for demonstrating higher accessibility.‍
• Assertions: This level recognises accessibility that is deeply embedded directly into organisational processes.

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This tiered approach gives brands room to progressively improve their platforms and aligns perfectly with broader holistic frameworks, such as the European Accessibility Act.

Designing for Cognitive Accessibility

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Historically, accessibility guidelines focused heavily on physical or sensory impairments, often leaving a gap when it came to cognitive support. WCAG 3.0 changes this by introducing draft requirements to help users with cognitive disabilities, autistic users, or those who speak English as a second language.

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For an online store, this translates into proposed guidance like providing clear explanations for idioms or figurative language in product descriptions. Additionally, the new guidelines include plain language summaries to ensure the standards themselves are easier to understand and apply for a wider audience.

How to Prepare Your E-commerce Store Today

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Even though the new standards are on the horizon, WCAG 2.2 will not be withdrawn. Both versions are expected to operate alongside each other for a practical and gradual transition, especially since WCAG 2.2 is already embedded in legislation in many countries, including the UK.

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Here is what you can do right now to future-proof your site:

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• Stick to WCAG 2.2 AA
  ‍Treat this as your current standard. If your site conforms to WCAG 2.2, it is likely to meet the core requirements of 3.0.
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• Embrace Inclusive Design
  ‍Continuously gather feedback from users of diverse abilities and design accessibility into your daily workflows. This approach goes beyond mere conformance and will remain valuable under WCAG 3.0.
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• Do Not Stress Over Tools Yet
  ‍Because WCAG 3.0 is still in development, no testing tools currently fully support it. Many of the existing WCAG 2.2 tools are likely to be updated once the 3.0 guidelines are finalised.