What is the average cost of a website accessibility statement?
- Legal obligation for public sites and certain private ones (Article 47, Law 2005-102)
- Observed prices: from 890 CAD (€600) to €2,500+ excluding tax depending on provider
- Price depends on number of pages, audit type, and delivered documents
- Sanctions up to €50,000 per non-compliant service are possible
- Sites with fewer than 10 employees and under €2M turnover are exempt
Providers compared
| Provider | Established in | Published price | What the price includes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AccessibilityStatement.org | Canada (Ontario) | Starting at 890 CAD | WCAG 2.2 AA test, policy, plan, signed statement in Ontario, complete AODA dossier | Companies with 20+ employees in Ontario (AODA) |
| Kolonellsource | France | On request | RGAA 4.1 audit (20 pages), corrections, accessibility statement | Mid-sized companies, French companies subject to RGAA |
| Accessiosource | France | Starting at €2,500 excluding tax | RGAA/EN 301 549 audit, gap report, statement, multi-year plan | Large accounts, public sites, full compliance |
| Axlasource | France | From €1,800 excluding tax | Certified human audit DINUM, RGAA statement, multi-year plan | Public sites, companies seeking certified expertise |
| Numauditsource | France | €125 excluding tax per page | Detailed audit, statement, help with multi-year plan | Medium-sized sites, per-page billing |
Prices as published on each provider's website on 4 November 2026, excluding VAT unless stated. Each row links to its source.
Legal Requirements: Obligations, Thresholds, and Scope
In France, Article 47 of the February 11, 2005 law requires all public services, as well as certain private sites (e-commerce, banks, transport, media), to publish an accessibility statement on their website. Since June 28, 2025, this obligation extends to these private sectors, requiring compliance display on the homepage. Sanctions for non-compliance can reach €50,000 per service, renewable. Sites with fewer than 10 employees and under €2 million turnover are exempt. Accessibility obligations include publishing a statement indicating the site's accessibility status, providing alternative formats upon request, and managing an accessible feedback process.
In Ontario (Canada), the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) requires businesses and non-profits with 20 or more employees to submit a compliance report every three years (next deadline: December 31, 2026). This report is a self-declaration but must be supported by solid evidence: accessibility policy, multi-year plan, WCAG 2.0 AA test (or higher), and a file signed by a responsible person in Ontario. Foreign companies with employees in Ontario are also concerned. Obligations vary by organization size, but compliance with WCAG 2.0 AA (excluding video criteria) is required from 50 employees. Administrative sanctions exist for false declarations or lack of proof during inspections.
- Article 47 (Law 2005-102)
- Declaration obligation on homepage
- Sanctions up to €50,000 per non-compliant service
- Exemption for entities with fewer than 10 employees and €2M turnover
- In Ontario: mandatory AODA report from 20 employees
Comparing Offers: What's Included and What's Not
Accessibility statement services vary widely depending on legal framework (RGAA, EN 301 549, AODA) and service level offered. Some providers offer a technical audit on a sample of pages (e.g., Kolonell, 20 pages), others charge per page (Numaudit), while some use an annual flat rate (AccessibilityStatement.org, Accessio, Axla). Service content may include: accessibility audit, statement drafting, gap report, multi-year plan, correction support, and even technical corrections if specified. It's essential to verify precisely what is included in the displayed price and what incurs additional fees.
| Provider | Audit | Statement | Corrections | Multi-year Plan | Additional Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AccessibilityStatement.org | Included (WCAG 2.2 AA) | Included | Not included | Not included | No |
| Kolonell | Included (20 pages) | Included | Included | On request | On request |
| Accessio | Included | Included | On request | Included | On request |
| Axla | Included | Included | On request | Included | On request |
| Numaudit | Included (per page) | Included | On request | Support | On request |
Note: source code correction, team training, or annual maintenance are generally not included unless explicitly stated. It is recommended to request a detailed quote and clarify each item before committing.
The True Price Content: Audit, Statement, Support
The cost of an accessibility statement usually includes several steps:
- Accessibility audit: technical analysis of the site according to RGAA, EN 301 549, or WCAG (number of pages varies by offer: flat rate, sample, or per-page billing).
- Statement drafting: document compliant with the official template, to be published on the homepage.
- Gap report: list of non-comformities and correction recommendations.
- Multi-year plan: action plan over several years (mandatory for some public bodies or large accounts, included with Accessio and Axla).
- Publication support: assistance with publishing the statement, sometimes help with internal or external communication.
Some providers (Kolonell) include technical corrections in their offer; others offer them as options or leave them to the client. Numaudit’s per-page billing suits medium-sized sites. AccessibilityStatement.org offers an annual flat fee, with no extra cost per page or retest, focusing on AODA compliance for Ontario. It is important to verify if the test covers the latest standards version (e.g., WCAG 2.2 AA at AccessibilityStatement.org, exceeding Ontario’s minimum legal requirement).
Hidden Costs and Common Exclusions
Beyond the displayed price, additional fees may apply: supplementary audits, technical corrections, re-audits after changes, publication assistance, or team training. Few providers include source code correction in their package (except explicitly at Kolonell). Audits of third-party content (marketplaces, external plugins) and annual maintenance are rarely covered. Some providers also charge follow-up or re-audit fees if the site is modified later. Finally, the responsibility for compliance always remains with the site owner: the statement is not an official certification, and no provider can guarantee absence of inspection or sanction.
Summary of common exclusions:
- Technical site correction (outside specific offers)
- Third-party content audits (marketplaces, external modules)
- Internal team training
- Annual maintenance (outside annual package)
- Legal assistance in case of dispute
It is recommended to request a comprehensive list of included services and any potential additional fees before signing.
How the Service Works: Key Steps and Practical Tips
- Request a quote or sign up: Contact your chosen provider, specify your sector, site size, number of pages, and applicable regulation (RGAA, EN 301 549, AODA).
- Select pages to audit: Depending on the offer, define a representative sample or the entire site to audit. A standard RGAA audit often covers 10 to 20 typical pages.
- Technical audit: The provider performs analysis according to the chosen framework (RGAA, WCAG, EN 301 549), identifies gaps, and writes a detailed report.
- Correction proposal: If included, the provider proposes or performs necessary corrections. Otherwise, your technical team applies the recommendations.
- Accessibility statement drafting: The provider drafts a compliant statement specifying compliance level, any exemptions, and user contact methods.
- Delivery and publication: The statement is delivered digitally to be published on the homepage. In Ontario, the file is signed by a local responsible person and the AODA report is submitted online.
- Record keeping: It is essential to keep all documents (audit, statement, correction proofs) for inspections or complaints.
Tip: Allow sufficient time for audit and compliance, especially if technical corrections are needed. Check internal team availability and ability to handle recommendations on time.
Risks, Sanctions, and Inspections
Failure to comply with the accessibility statement obligation exposes to significant financial penalties. In France, fines can reach €50,000 per non-compliant service, renewable if the issue persists. Inspections may be conducted by authorities or following user complaints. During inspection, you must provide the statement, audit report, correction proofs, and communications with the provider. In Ontario, a false AODA declaration or lack of proof during inspection can lead to administrative penalties and liability for the signing executive. There is no official certification: compliance depends on the ability to justify every point of the statement. The most frequent risks concern recruitment forms, transactional services (payment, booking), and dynamic content. Public buyers or large accounts increasingly require a complete compliance dossier during tenders or supplier listings.
- Sanctions up to €50,000 per non-compliant service (France)
- Administrative penalties for false declarations (Ontario)
- Liability of the signing executive
- Obligation to provide proof during inspections
Decision: Who Needs an Accessibility Statement?
The need to publish an accessibility statement depends on several criteria: headcount, turnover, sector, employee location, and target audience. Here is a decision matrix to clarify your situation:
| If you are… | You need… | You don’t need it if… |
|---|---|---|
| Company with 10+ employees in France | Mandatory RGAA statement | Fewer than 10 employees AND <€2M turnover |
| Public site (France) | Mandatory RGAA statement | Never exempt |
| Company with 20+ employees in Ontario | Mandatory AODA statement | Fewer than 20 employees in Ontario |
| Marketplace (Amazon, Etsy, eBay) | Obligation if own site subject to law | No obligation on the marketplace itself |
| Company outside EU/Canada | Obligation if activity or employees in concerned country | No activity or employees concerned |
Examples: a US SaaS with public clients in France must publish an RGAA statement; a Chinese seller on Amazon.fr is not concerned unless operating their own site; a UK shop with 20+ employees in Ontario must submit an AODA report.
Buyer Checklist: 7 Steps to Compliance
- Check your organization's employee and turnover thresholds.
- Identify applicable regulation: RGAA (France), EN 301 549 (EU), AODA (Ontario).
- List pages and content to audit (main pages, forms, PDFs, dynamic modules).
- Choose a provider suited to your scope and budget.
- Request a detailed quote specifying audit, statement, corrections, multi-year plan, and possible extra fees.
- Publish the statement on the homepage according to the official template.
- Keep all supporting documents (audit, statement, correction proofs, communications) for inspections or complaints.
Tip: Plan a preliminary audit (quick scan or free test if offered) to assess correction scope before starting the full process.
What Providers Don’t Always Say
- The accessibility statement is not an official certification: legal responsibility remains with the site owner, who must justify every statement point.
- Technical site corrections are generally not included in the displayed price: they can represent significant costs if major non-compliance exists.
- Re-audit, follow-up, or support fees may apply if the site changes or standards update.
- Delivery time depends on page volume, internal team availability, and correction complexity.
- Third-party content audits (marketplaces, external modules) are not covered unless expressly stated.
- In Ontario, the AODA report is a self-declaration: no provider can submit it for you, but they can prepare all necessary documents.
Concrete Scenarios: Obligations by Profile
- US SaaS with French clients: If the service targets public or B2C users in France and exceeds thresholds (10+ employees, €2M turnover), RGAA statement is mandatory. Process: RGAA audit, statement drafting, site publication, document retention.
- Chinese seller on Amazon.fr: No obligation to declare on the marketplace unless operating own site for French public and exceeding thresholds. Then, same process as above.
- UK online shop with employees in Ontario: If employing 20+ in Ontario, must submit AODA report: WCAG 2.0 AA audit (or higher), file prep, signature by Ontario responsible, online submission. No provider can submit on your behalf but can prepare all documents and tests.
In all cases, the key is to anticipate obligations, choose a provider adapted to local regulations, and keep all supporting documents.
When you do not need this
- Micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees and <€2M turnover in France)
- Personal sites, non-commercial blogs
- Sellers operating only on marketplaces without own site
- Companies without activity or employees in concerned countries
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of a website accessibility statement?
In 2026, prices range from 890 CAD (about €600) to over €2,500 excluding tax depending on provider, number of pages audited, and support level (audit only or including corrections).
Which sites must publish an accessibility statement?
Public sites, companies with 10+ employees in France, and sites in specific sectors (e-commerce, banks, transport, media) are concerned. In Ontario, threshold is 20+ employees.
What are the risks of not publishing?
Sanctions up to €50,000 per non-compliant service, renewable, and administrative inspections. In Ontario, the signing executive may be held liable.
Does the accessibility statement include site correction?
No, unless explicitly stated. Most offers include audit and statement, but technical correction is usually charged extra or left to the client.
How many pages are audited in the base price?
Depends on provider: some offer a flat rate (e.g., 20 pages), others charge per page (e.g., €125 excluding tax at Numaudit).
Should the statement be renewed annually?
In France, update is required if major changes occur. In Ontario (AODA), report must be submitted every three years.
Must a foreign company publish a statement?
Yes, if targeting the French market or employing staff in Ontario, according to local thresholds. Otherwise, no.
Is the statement an official certification?
No. There is no official certification: the statement is a commitment by the publisher, who must justify answers during inspections.
Can I make the statement myself?
Yes, but an independent audit is recommended to ensure compliance and reduce risks in case of inspection or complaint.
What documents should I keep?
Audit report, published statement, correction proofs, and all communications with the provider. These are needed in case of inspection.
Are marketplaces concerned?
No, unless you operate your own site subject to regulation. Obligations apply to your site, not Amazon, Etsy, or eBay.
Can a provider submit the AODA report for me?
No. The AODA report is a self-declaration signed by a company official. The provider can prepare the file but cannot submit it on your behalf.
Sources
- Law of February 11, 2005, Article 47 — design.numerique.gouv.fr
- Sanctions and extension to private sectors — lemonde.fr
- RGAA accessibility for mid-sized companies — kolonell.com
- Accessio – Pricing — app.elevateco.fr
- Axla – RGAA audit and statement — axla.fr
- Numaudit – Audit and statement — numaudit.fr
- AccessibilityStatement.org – AODA service — accessibilitystatement.org
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