Create Accessible PDFs and Validate Compliance at Scale
Keep up with evolving regulations and provide accessible document experiences with Pdftools. Produce tagged PDFs or remediate existing files, and batch validate against PDF/UA and WCAG standards with detailed reports that guide fixes and support audit readiness.
Frequently asked questions
What does PDF/UA stand for?
PDF/UA stands for Portable Document Format / Universal Accessibility. It is an ISO standard (ISO 14289) that specifies the technical requirements for a PDF document to be accurately and reliably interpreted by assistive technologies, such as screen readers.
What is the connection between PDF/UA and WCAG?
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) provides the general, high-level principles for digital accessibility across all platforms. PDF/UA (ISO 14289) is the PDF-specific technical implementation standard, defining the concrete technical requirements (tagging, structure, metadata) necessary for a PDF file to meet those WCAG principles.
PDF/UA and PDF/A: What is the difference?
PDF/UA is focused on universal accessibility, establishing the required logical structure and tags to ensure assistive technologies can reliably consume content. PDF/A is focused on long-term archiving, guaranteeing the authentic visual reproduction of a document by requiring the embedding of all necessary elements, like fonts, and strictly limiting features, like encryption or external links. For guidance on conforming to both, please consult the PDF Association’s best practice guide on PDF/A and PDF/UA.
Which regulatory standards drive PDF/UA compliance?
The primary driver for PDF accessibility in Europe is the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which mandates compliance for a wide range of products and services and is now in effect. The recognized technical standard for demonstrating compliance is EN 301 549, which incorporates the WCAG 2.1 Level AA success criteria. Conforming to PDF/UA helps demonstrate that your PDF content meets these legal requirements.
