Standards Comparison

    WCAG

    Voluntary
    2023

    W3C standard for accessible web content worldwide

    VS

    AS9120B

    Mandatory
    2016

    Aerospace QMS standard for distributors ensuring traceability.

    Quick Verdict

    WCAG ensures web accessibility for people with disabilities via testable success criteria, while AS9120B mandates quality management for aerospace distributors emphasizing traceability and counterfeit prevention. Organizations adopt WCAG for legal/ethical compliance and AS9120B for supply chain certification.

    Web Accessibility

    WCAG

    Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • POUR principles organize accessibility requirements comprehensively
    • Testable success criteria at A/AA/AAA conformance levels
    • Technology-agnostic for evolving web platforms and frameworks
    • Backward-compatible additive updates across 2.0/2.1/2.2 versions
    • Strict conformance for full pages and complete processes
    Quality Management

    AS9120B

    AS9120B Quality Management Systems – Requirements

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Counterfeit and suspected unapproved parts prevention
    • Traceability and chain-of-custody controls for split lots
    • Risk-based external provider evaluation and flowdown
    • Configuration management via sales order records
    • Enhanced preservation and storage requirements

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    WCAG Details

    What It Is

    Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 is the W3C's technology-agnostic framework for web accessibility. It defines testable success criteria under POUR principles to ensure content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for people with disabilities.

    Key Components

    • POUR principles as foundational framework
    • 13 guidelines with ~90 success criteria at A, AA, AAA levels
    • Informative techniques, understanding docs, and failure patterns
    • Conformance requires full pages, complete processes, accessibility-supported tech, non-interference

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Aligns with regulations (ADA, Section 508, EN 301 549, EAA)
    • Mitigates litigation risks and procurement barriers
    • Boosts UX, SEO, conversion (e.g., 23% uplift), market reach
    • Builds stakeholder trust and ESG reputation

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: policy, assessment, training, design systems, hybrid testing (axe, manual, user). Applies globally to web-owning orgs; no formal certification but VPAT/ACR for vendors. Suits enterprises via continuous CI/CD integration.

    AS9120B Details

    What It Is

    AS9120B is the official Quality Management Systems – Requirements certification standard from IAQG, built on ISO 9001:2015's 10-clause structure. Tailored for aviation, space, and defense distributors procuring, storing, splitting, and reselling parts without alteration, its purpose is safeguarding product conformity, traceability, and safety. It uses risk-based thinking and PDCA methodology.

    Key Components

    • Over 100 aerospace additions to ISO 9001, focusing on operations
    • Pillars: context/leadership (Clauses 4-5), planning/support (6-7), operations (traceability, counterfeit prevention in Clause 8), evaluation/improvement (9-10)
    • Requires documented information, internal audits, management review
    • Certification model via accredited bodies, OASIS listing

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Commercial gatekeeper for OEM/Tier-1 supply chains
    • Mitigates counterfeit risks, traceability loss, documentation errors
    • Builds stakeholder trust, enables market access (2,442 global certs)
    • Drives efficiency, reduces nonconformities, enhances reputation

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, process design, training, audits (6-12 months)
    • Applies globally to distributors; scalable by size
    • Needs cross-functional teams, Management Representative, IAQG audits

    Key Differences

    Scope

    WCAG
    Web content accessibility for disabilities
    AS9120B
    Aerospace parts distribution quality management

    Industry

    WCAG
    All web-publishing sectors globally
    AS9120B
    Aerospace distribution supply chains

    Nature

    WCAG
    Voluntary W3C guidelines, technology-agnostic
    AS9120B
    Certification standard based on ISO 9001

    Testing

    WCAG
    Automated/manual/AT/user testing, no certification
    AS9120B
    Internal audits, certification body surveillance

    Penalties

    WCAG
    Litigation risk, no direct penalties
    AS9120B
    Loss of certification, market exclusion

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about WCAG and AS9120B

    WCAG FAQ

    AS9120B FAQ

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