Ability Bazaar guide
What is the difference between a VPAT and an ACR?
The short answer
A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template, or VPAT, is the reporting format created by the Information Technology Industry Council. When a vendor completes the appropriate VPAT edition for a specific product and version, the resulting document is an Accessibility Conformance Report, or ACR.
Procurement teams often say 'send us your VPAT,' but what they usually need is the current, completed ACR. The report should identify the product and evaluation methods and explain the level of support for each applicable accessibility requirement.
Important: An ACR documents an evaluation; it is not a government certification or a guarantee that every user and use case is barrier-free.
Which VPAT edition should a vendor use?
ITI publishes four editions. The WCAG edition reports against WCAG. The Section 508 edition is designed for U.S. federal procurement. The EU edition maps to EN 301 549. The International edition combines the major standards for organizations selling across markets.
Choose the edition requested by the buyer and confirm that it matches the procurement's jurisdiction. Publishing every edition is not automatically better; the report must be accurate for the product, version and features being sold.
Sources for this section: [1]
What belongs in a credible ACR?
- A precise product name, version, date and report owner.
- The VPAT edition and standards covered.
- Evaluation methods, environments, browsers and assistive technologies.
- A support level and specific remarks for every applicable criterion.
- Known limitations, exceptions and features not evaluated.
- Contact information and a process for requesting updates or accessible formats.
When do procurement teams ask for an ACR?
U.S. federal buyers use accessibility information when acquiring information and communication technology. An ACR gives the buyer a structured way to compare how products address applicable standards, but agencies still have to perform market research and evaluate whether a product meets their users' needs.
Private companies, universities and state or local governments may also request an ACR in a solicitation or vendor review. Ask for the specific standard, product version and deadline before scoping the work.
Why should disabled users be involved?
Standards-based evaluation is essential, but a checklist cannot by itself show how effectively people complete real tasks. W3C recommends combining conformance evaluation with evaluation by people with disabilities. Their findings can improve both the underlying product and the accuracy of the ACR's remarks.
Sources for this section: [4]
Frequently asked questions
- Is a VPAT the same as an ACR?
No. VPAT is the template; a completed, product-specific VPAT is called an Accessibility Conformance Report.
- Is an ACR an accessibility certification?
No. It is a vendor's structured disclosure of evaluation results, not a government certification or guarantee.
- Which VPAT edition is used for U.S. federal procurement?
The Section 508 edition is designed for U.S. federal requirements; buyers may request another edition when additional standards apply.
Sources
- Information Technology Industry Council, VPAT
- Section508.gov, ACR/VPAT Frequently Asked Questions
- Section508.gov, Sell Accessible Products and Services
- W3C WAI, Involving Users in Evaluating Web Accessibility
Sources were checked on August 21, 2026. Regulations, standards and product documentation can change; follow the linked source for the latest version.