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Universal Access · Guidelines & standards
Indian law as the floor. European standards as the ceiling.
We start from what Indian law requires, then reach for the best of international practice. Indian standards set the minimum every place must meet. European and international standards set the bar for our highest tier.
Two layers
What's required, and what's possible.
What's required
India
The RPwD Act 2016 and its Rules make accessibility a legal duty. New public buildings can't get an occupancy certificate without meeting accessibility standards (s.44), and existing buildings and services must be made accessible within notified timelines (s.45–46). The Harmonised Guidelines 2021 are the technical standard for buildings; IS 17802 and GIGW 3.0 cover digital.
What's possible
Europe & ISO
EN 17210 (with technical criteria in CEN/TR 17621) and ISO 21542 set the functional benchmark for buildings; EN 301 549 and WCAG 2.2 for digital. Design for All (EN 17161) treats accessibility as the way an organisation works, which is the model for our highest tier.
Standards map
Domain by domain, floor to ceiling.
| Domain | Indian base (enforceable) | European / international enhancement |
|---|---|---|
| Built Environment | Harmonised Guidelines 2021 · NBC 2016 · RPwD s.40, 44–45 | EN 17210:2021 · CEN/TR 17621 · ISO 21542:2021 |
| Mobility & Transport | RPwD s.41 · Harmonised Guidelines 2021 · Accessible India | EN 17210 · ISO 21542 (approach & parking) |
| Wayfinding & Communication | RPwD s.42 · Harmonised Guidelines 2021 (signage & tactile) | ISO 21542 · EN 17210 · ISO 7001 |
| Digital & ICT | IS 17802 Pt 1:2021 · IS 17802 Pt 2:2022 · GIGW 3.0 | EN 301 549 · WCAG 2.2 AA / AAA |
| Service & Experience | RPwD s.46 · reasonable accommodation duty | EN 17161:2019 (Design for All) · EAA 2019/882 |
A note on accuracy
Standards change. Every audit records which version we used.
EN 301 549 is moving from v3.2.1 (WCAG 2.1) towards a v4 aligned with WCAG 2.2. The European Accessibility Act's obligations applied from June 2025. And RPwD Rule timelines have been amended (2019–2024).
We audit against the versions in force on the day of assessment, and write the version on the certificate.
How to read a guideline
Why it matters, before how many millimetres.
European standards describe the outcome a design has to achieve. Indian and ISO standards add the exact dimension. We check both: the number you can measure, and the human result it's meant to deliver.
01
The requirement
What the standard says: a ramp no steeper than 1:12, a clear door width, a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1.
02
The intent
Why it's there: a wheelchair user can go up without help; someone can walk through without turning sideways; text is readable with low vision.
03
The check
How we confirm it: measured on site, tested with assistive technology, and walked by someone who depends on it.
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