DreamHost EN 301 549 Checker

EN 301 549 for DreamHost Sites

EN 301 549 is the European standard for accessible information and communication technology. For websites, its clause 9 reuses WCAG: version 3.2.1 uses WCAG 2.1 Level AA, and version 4.1.1, published in September 2026 for the European Accessibility Act, uses WCAG 2.2 Level AA.

The European Accessibility Act has applied to e-commerce and other consumer services since June 28, 2025, wherever the business is based. This checker runs the scan with the EN 301 549 preset, which tests the WCAG 2.1 AA web requirements. Run the DreamHost WCAG 2.2 checker as well to cover version 4.1.1.

Hosting does not affect EN 301 549 conformance. For a site on DreamHost that serves EU customers, test the site itself, in every language you publish.

Who Should Run the DreamHost EN 301 549 Checker

• DreamHost businesses that sell products or services to consumers in the EU.
• Public sector bodies in the EU running a site on DreamHost.
• Vendors selling software or services to EU public bodies.
• Non-EU companies with EU customers, since the EAA follows the customer.

EN 301 549 Requirements to Check on DreamHost

• 1.4.10 Reflow

  Pages must reflow on a narrow screen without scrolling in two directions.

• 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast

  Controls, icons and focus indicators need 3:1 contrast.

• 3.1.1 Language of Page

  Each page must declare its language, which matters on multilingual EU sites.

• 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions

  Form fields, including checkout and consent forms, need visible labels or instructions.

• 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value

  Custom controls such as cookie consent switches need a name, role and state.

• 4.1.3 Status Messages

  Status messages, such as cart updates and form errors, must be announced.

Where DreamHost Sites Usually Fail EN 301 549

These problems come up again and again on DreamHost sites, and each one fails EN 301 549. The DreamHost accessibility checker explains how to fix them in DreamHost.

• Blog images. Featured images and in-post images published without alt text.
• Heading structure. Long posts that skip heading levels or use bold text instead of headings.
• Vague link text. Repeated "read more" and "click here" links that do not say where they go.
• Theme contrast. Light gray meta text, captions and buttons that fail WCAG contrast.
• Comment and search forms. Fields without labels and buttons without accessible names.

Worried about ADA claims as well? The DreamHost ADA compliance checker covers the DreamHost risks behind most complaints.

What to Test by Hand on DreamHost

Automated testing finds many, but not all, EN 301 549 failures. Check these yourself after the scan:

1. Check every language version, including the page language setting (3.1.1).
2. Test the cookie consent banner with a keyboard and screen reader.
3. Publish accessibility information for your service, as the EAA requires.
4. Rescan after each fix. Continuous monitoring rescans up to 500 URLs per domain daily and keeps a dated record in the Compliance Vault.

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Related Guides

• EN 301 549 CheckerThe EN 301 549 standard in full, for any website.
• WCAG 1.1.1 Non-text Content Explained in Plain EnglishWCAG 1.1.1 Non-text Content explained simply: how to write alt text for every kind of image, icon, chart and CAPTCHA, with code examples and a test routine.
• WCAG 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence Explained in Plain EnglishWCAG 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence explained simply: why reading order matters, how CSS and layout tables break it, how to fix it and how to test your pages.
• SEO Audit: How to Conduct a Full Site CheckHow to do an SEO audit step by step: crawling and indexing, technical health, speed, on-page basics, content and links, with free tools and a checklist.
• WCAG Success Criteria LibraryLook up any criterion the scan flags, in plain language.

DreamHost EN 301 549 Checker: Frequently Asked Questions