Standards Comparison

    WCAG

    Voluntary
    2023

    Global standard for web accessibility to disabilities

    VS

    ISO 56002

    Voluntary
    2019

    International guidance standard for innovation management systems

    Quick Verdict

    WCAG ensures web accessibility for disabled users via testable criteria, while ISO 56002 builds innovation systems for value creation. Companies adopt WCAG for legal compliance and inclusion; ISO 56002 for strategic governance and competitive advantage.

    Web Accessibility

    WCAG

    Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2

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

    Key Features

    • Four POUR principles organize accessibility requirements
    • Testable success criteria at A/AA/AAA levels
    • Technology-agnostic for all web content types
    • Backward compatible incremental version updates
    • Separates normative requirements from techniques
    Innovation Management

    ISO 56002

    ISO 56002:2019 Innovation management system — Guidance

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • PDCA cycle for structured IMS implementation
    • Emphasizes top-management leadership commitment
    • Portfolio governance with stage-gate processes
    • Balanced KPIs for performance evaluation
    • Tailorable guidance for all organization sizes

    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 a W3C Recommendation, the global standard for web content accessibility. It defines testable success criteria to ensure content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for people with disabilities. Scope includes all web technologies; layered approach uses principles, guidelines, and criteria.

    Key Components

    • **POUR principlesPerceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust.
    • 13 guidelines with ~90 success criteria at A/AA/AAA levels.
    • Informative techniques, failures, and understanding documents.
    • Conformance requires full pages, complete processes, accessibility-supported tech, non-interference.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Aligns with laws (ADA, Section 508, EAA/EN 301 549).
    • Mitigates litigation, boosts UX/conversion/SEO.
    • Enables procurement, enhances reputation/inclusion.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: governance/policy, assessment, remediation via design systems/CI tools, training, monitoring.
    • Applies universally; no formal certification but VPATs/audits common. (178 words)

    ISO 56002 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 56002:2019 is an international guidance standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an Innovation Management System (IMS). It applies to organizations of all sizes and sectors, using a PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle structured across Clauses 4-10 to manage innovation strategically.

    Key Components

    • Seven core clauses: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
    • Eight principles: value realization, future-focused leaders, strategic direction, culture, insights, uncertainty management, adaptability, systems thinking.
    • Non-prescriptive; tailorable processes like portfolio governance and stage-gates.
    • Aligns with Annex SL for integration; no fixed controls, optional certification via ISO 56001.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Drives measurable innovation outcomes and ROI.
    • Enhances resilience, agility, and competitive edge.
    • Builds stakeholder trust; no legal mandate but strategic for markets valuing innovation capability.
    • Mitigates risks like project failure and resource waste.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: diagnostic, design, pilot, scale, sustain (12-18 months typical).
    • Involves maturity assessments (e.g., PII), policy development, tooling, audits.
    • Universal applicability; pragmatic for SMEs via staged adoption.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    WCAG
    Web content accessibility for disabilities
    ISO 56002
    Innovation management systems organization-wide

    Industry

    WCAG
    All web-publishing sectors globally
    ISO 56002
    All sectors and sizes worldwide

    Nature

    WCAG
    Voluntary W3C guidelines, technology-agnostic
    ISO 56002
    Voluntary ISO guidance, management framework

    Testing

    WCAG
    Automated scans, manual audits, user testing
    ISO 56002
    Internal audits, management reviews, KPIs

    Penalties

    WCAG
    Litigation under ADA, no direct fines
    ISO 56002
    No penalties, business performance risks

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about WCAG and ISO 56002

    WCAG FAQ

    ISO 56002 FAQ

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