ACR Checklist
An ACR checklist is a working list of items required to produce a complete Accessibility Conformance Report. It typically covers product scope, the WCAG version and conformance level being claimed, the VPAT edition selected, audit data that supports each criterion, evaluation methods used, and the conformance language applied to every success criterion. The checklist exists so the document can be filled out accurately and the resulting ACR holds up to procurement review.
| Checklist Item | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Product scope | The specific website, web app, or software being evaluated, including in-scope pages or screens. |
| Standard and level | WCAG version (2.1 AA or 2.2 AA) and any additional standards referenced by the chosen VPAT edition. |
| VPAT edition | WCAG, Section 508, EN 301 549, or INT, selected based on the buyer or market requirement. |
| Audit data | Findings from a manual audit that inform the conformance language applied to each criterion. |
| Conformance language | Supports, Partially Supports, Does Not Support, or Not Applicable, written for every applicable criterion. |
Product Scope and Identification
The first section of an ACR checklist captures what is being reported on. This includes the product name, version, and a clear definition of which pages, screens, or components fall inside the evaluated scope. Anything outside that scope is excluded from the conformance claim.
Scope decisions affect every later step. A small marketing site may have a different scope than a multi-tenant web application with authenticated areas, and the checklist should reflect those distinctions before any evaluation begins.
Standard, Level, and VPAT Edition
The checklist records the standard the product is being measured against. Most current ACRs reference WCAG 2.1 AA, with WCAG 2.2 AA being requested more often by procurement teams. The conformance level (A, AA, or AAA) is documented alongside the version.
VPAT edition selection is part of the same step. The WCAG edition is the default for most SaaS products. Section 508 is selected when the buyer is a U.S. federal agency or contractor. EN 301 549 applies for European public sector procurement. The INT edition combines all three plus EN 301 549 for global use.
Audit Data Supporting Each Criterion
An ACR is only as accurate as the audit data behind it. The checklist confirms that a manual audit has been completed and that findings are organized by success criterion. Automated scans alone cannot produce the data needed for an ACR, since scans only flag approximately 25% of accessibility issues.
For each criterion, the checklist verifies that there is enough information to write a defensible conformance statement. Where issues exist, they are described in the Remarks and Explanations column with enough detail for the buyer to understand the impact.
Evaluation Methods Used
The checklist documents how the product was evaluated. This typically includes screen reader testing with NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver, keyboard testing, visual inspection, code inspection, browser zoom evaluation at 200% and 400%, and an automated scan as a supplementary component. Each method contributes to the conformance determination for relevant criteria.
Evaluation methods appear in a dedicated section of the ACR itself, so the checklist confirms that the methods used match what is recorded in the report.
Conformance Language for Every Criterion
Every applicable success criterion receives one of four conformance terms: Supports, Partially Supports, Does Not Support, or Not Applicable. The checklist confirms that each row in the criteria table has been completed and that the language matches the audit findings.
Partially Supports and Does Not Support entries require an explanation. The checklist verifies that those explanations are written, specific, and tied to actual issues identified during the audit. Vague language in this section is a common reason ACRs are rejected by procurement reviewers.
Final Documentation Review
The last items on the checklist cover the document itself. This includes the cover page details (product name, report date, contact information, evaluator name and credentials), the notes section explaining any caveats, and the formatting requirements for the chosen VPAT edition. ACR issuance services typically range from 300 dollars to 1,000 dollars, with the audit that supports the ACR priced separately.
Once the checklist is complete, the ACR is ready for review and delivery. Buyers may request updates after significant product changes, since ACRs do not have a formal expiration but are expected to reflect the current state of the product. For more on what compliance documentation looks like in context, see the ADA website requirements overview.
An ACR checklist is procedural, but the document it produces carries weight in procurement. Working through each item in order is what separates an ACR that closes deals from one that gets sent back for revision.