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W3C WCAG · WCAG-3-3-ERROR-ID

W3C WCAG 3.3.1 Error Identification (Level A)

When input errors are automatically detected, identify the specific field in error and describe the error in text

HIGHRequirementDesign defaultsTechnical standardIn forceApplies from 5 October 2023

Where this comes from

Provision: 3.3.1 Error Identification (Level A)

Instrument: W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2

Citation: W3C, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, Success Criterion 3.3.1 Error Identification, Level A, W3C Recommendation 05 October 2023

Text version: WCAG 2.2

Read the official text ↗

Who it applies to

It applies when all of these are true:

  • Service type — any answer
  • Data categories collected — any answer

What engineering work it implies

Sample acceptance criteria Landfall generates for this obligation:

  • Input errors are identified in text (not colour or icon alone), describing what is wrong
  • The field in error is programmatically associated with its message (aria-invalid + aria-describedby)
  • Errors are announced to assistive tech via a live region or by moving focus to the error
  • Error text names the specific field and the nature of the problem
  • Unit tests cover the core logic (aim for >80% coverage on new code)

Questions people ask

Does W3C WCAG 3.3.1 Error Identification (Level A) apply to my service?
It applies when Service type — any answer; Data categories collected — any answer.
From when does this apply?
W3C WCAG 3.3.1 Error Identification (Level A) applies from 5 October 2023. Its current status is: in force.

Find out whether this one lands on you

Landfall's pre-scan answers the applicability question above for your product in minutes, then turns every obligation that applies into traceable engineering tickets with a citation chain your auditors can follow.

Run the pre-scanAll W3C WCAG obligations

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