Dissecting the WAD, part 8
This is a 10 parts series examining the WAD. In this 8th part of the series we look at article eight of the directive. The previous parts of this series are:
- Part 1, covering the title and preamble
- Part 2, covering recitals 1 to 20
- Part 3, covering recitals 21 to 32
- Part 4, covering recitals 33 to 46
- Part 5 covering recitals 47 to 56
- Part 6, covering articles 1 to 6
- Part 7, covering article 7
The complete official text of the WAD is available here.
Article 8
Monitoring and reporting
1. Member States shall periodically monitor the compliance of websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies with the accessibility requirements set out in Article 4 on the basis of the monitoring methodology provided for in paragraph 2 of this Article.2. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts establishing a methodology for monitoring the conformity of websites and mobile applications with the accessibility requirements set out in Article 4. That methodology shall be transparent, transferable, comparable, reproducible and easy to use. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 11(3). By 23 December 2018, the Commission shall adopt the first such implementing act.
Member states will monitor the accessibility of public sector websites targeted by the WAD, using a methodology still to be defined by the Commission. The method will be defined by the 23rd December 2018. The relevant implementing decision on monitoring and reporting can now be found here.
3. The monitoring methodology referred to in paragraph 2 may take into account expert analysis and shall include:
(a) the periodicity of the monitoring, as well as the sampling of the websites and mobile applications that are to be subject to monitoring;
(b) at website level, the sampling of web pages and of the content on those pages;
(c) at mobile application level, the content to be tested, taking into account the moment of the initial release of the application and of subsequent functionality updates;
(d) a description of the way in which compliance or non-compliance with the accessibility requirements set out in Article 4 is to be sufficiently demonstrated, directly referencing, when appropriate, the relevant descriptions in the harmonised standard or, in the absence thereof, in the technical specifications referred to in Article 6(2), or in the European standard referred to in Article 6(3);
(e) in the event of deficiencies being identified, a mechanism to provide data and information on compliance with the accessibility requirements set out in Article 4 in a format which can be used by public sector bodies to correct those deficiencies; and
(f) appropriate arrangements, including where necessary examples and guidance, for automatic, manual and usability tests, in combination with the sampling settings, in a way which is compatible with the periodicity of the monitoring and reporting.
The monitoring methodology will specify how often to monitor, how to sample pages and content to be monitored, including of mobile applications. Further it will define how compliance to the directive will be determined, taking in to account to the relevant harmonised standard and will define how to report on the compliance status. Finally, guidance and tooling should be provided by the Commission to help with the automatic, manual and usability testing of content.
4. By 23 December 2021, and every three years thereafter, Member States shall submit to the Commission a report on the outcome of the monitoring including the measurement data. That report shall be drawn up on the basis of the arrangements for reporting referred to in paragraph 6 of this Article. The report shall also cover information on the use of the enforcement procedure set out in Article 9.
Reporting on the compliance to the directive should be submitted by member states every three years. These reports should also include information on the use of enforcement procedures with respect to the directive.
5. In relation to the measures adopted pursuant to Article 7, the first report shall also cover the following:
(a) a description of the mechanisms set up by Member States for consulting with relevant stakeholders on the accessibility of websites and mobile applications;
(b) procedures to make public any developments in accessibility policy relating to websites and mobile applications;
(c) experiences and findings from the implementation of the rules on conformity with the accessibility requirements set out in Article 4; and
(d) information on training and awareness-raising activities.
Where significant changes have been made in relation to the elements referred to in the first subparagraph, Member States shall include in their subsequent reports information concerning those changes.
The first report by member states will include details on the consultations done with relevant stakeholders by member states, as well as procedures for publicising accessibility policy. Member states should also document their experiences from implementing the directive and give information on training and awareness raising activities they might have used.
Subsequent reports should include any substantial changes to these aspects of the first report.
6. The content of all the reports, which need not list the websites, mobile applications or public sector bodies examined, shall be made public in an accessible format. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts establishing the arrangements for reporting by Member States to the Commission. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 11(3). By 23 December 2018, the Commission shall adopt the first such implementing act.
The reports will be made public in an accessible format. The manner in which this will be done will be defined by the Commission no later than the 23rd December 2018.
7. By 23 September 2018, Member States shall inform the Commission of the body designated to perform the monitoring and reporting functions.
Defines the date (23rd September 2018) by which member states must inform the Commission who is responsible for monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the directive.