What is RGAA?
The Référentiel Général d'Amélioration de l'Accessibilité (RGAA) is the French framework that defines the rules for making digital services accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. Version 4.1, in effect since 2021, is based on WCAG 2.1 level AA and contains 106 criteria across 13 themes.
Theme 1 — Images (9 criteria)
Image criteria ensure that all visual information is also available in text form.
- 1.1 — Does each informative image have a text alternative?
- 1.2 — Is each decorative image correctly ignored by assistive technologies?
- 1.3 — For each informative image with a text alternative, is this alternative relevant?
- 1.4 — For each image used as CAPTCHA or test image, does the alternative identify its nature and function?
- 1.5 — For each CAPTCHA image, is an alternative access solution provided?
- 1.6 — Does each informative image have a detailed description if necessary?
- 1.7 — Is each detailed description relevant?
- 1.8 — Should each informative text image be replaced by styled text?
- 1.9 — Is each image caption correctly linked to its image?
Theme 2 — Frames (2 criteria)
- 2.1 — Does each frame have a frame title?
- 2.2 — Is each frame title relevant?
Theme 3 — Colors (3 criteria)
- 3.1 — Is information not conveyed by color alone?
- 3.2 — Is text contrast sufficient (4.5:1 minimum)?
- 3.3 — Are UI component and graphic element colors sufficiently contrasted?
Themes 4-13
The remaining themes cover Multimedia (13 criteria), Tables (8), Links (2), Scripts (5), Mandatory elements (10), Information structure (4), Presentation (14), Forms (13), Navigation (11), and Consultation (12).
For the full French reference, visit the official RGAA documentation.
How to achieve compliance?
- Initial audit — Run an automated scan with RGAA Test to quickly identify common issues.
- Prioritization — Classify non-conformities by impact (critical, serious, moderate, minor).
- Fix — Start with critical criteria (images, forms, navigation).
- Complementary audit — Some criteria require manual verification.
- Accessibility statement — Publish your compliance declaration on your site.