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Rendering account for compliance with the Web Guidelines

Government.nl generally complies with the Web Guidelines version 2 (WRv2).

Almost 100% Web Guideline compliant

Government.nl complies almost 100% with the Web Guidelines. Parts of the website may not comply owing to its size. The size of Government.nl makes its management an intensive task, for which more than 150 central and local editors are jointly responsible.

Information and complaints about accessibility of Government.nl

Do you find Government.nl, or parts of it, less than fully accessible? Or do you have any tips or comments for improving its accessibility? Inform us via the contact form, or phone the Central Government Information Line 1400.

Government.nl will remedy any inaccessibility as soon as possible. In specific situations, Government.nl will seek an appropriate solution.

Components of Government.nl not fully compliant with the Web Guidelines

Government.nl may not comply 100% with the Web Guidelines with respect to three components.

PDF files

  • Specifications
    PDF files on Government.nl.
  • Cause
    PDF files are subject to very high requirements by the Web Guidelines. They are supplied to Government.nl by various parties, not all of whom have the knowledge necessary for creating PDF files in accordance with the Guidelines. As a result, Government.nl cannot guarantee that all PDFs on the website will comply with the Web Guidelines.
  • Result
    Government.nl believes it has done enough to remedy non-compliance by offering appropriate alternatives.
  • Alternatives
    As a solution for the problem, Government.nl has drawn up a set of minimum requirements for PDF files on the website. In principle, it will strive to publish only PDF files that meet the Web Guidelines in full. But for the time being, it will also accept PDFs that meet the following requirements: the layout must be in PDF/A-1a or PDF/UA-1; the text must be selectable and copyable; the file may not contain any scanned text or images or personal data; and the correct ministry must be mentioned in the metadata.
  • Measures
    Rijksoverheid.nl imposes strict requirements on new PDF files. They must at least comply with the requirements under ‘Alternatives’.
  • Schedule
    The strict minimum requirements on new PDF files are already valid.

Video

  • Specification of problem
    Videos for Government.nl are sometimes provided by parties with whom central government does not have a purchasing agreement (occasional providers). Some of these videos do not immediately comply with the Web Guidelines, for instance when subtitling is added at a later stage. Videos supplied by regular providers comply immediately.
  • Cause
    The videos usually contain news and soon lose their news value. Government.nl is therefore unwilling to postpone publication until the videos comply with the Web Guidelines.
  • Result
    Some Government.nl visitors cannot access the videos or view them properly.
  • Alternatives
    Government.nl does not offer any alternatives for these instances of non-compliance, but tries to solve each problem within a few hours of publication.
  • Measures
    Government.nl wants all videos published on the website to comply immediately with the Web Guidelines. Standard processing and delivery of videos is part of the purchasing agreements which central government has concluded with regular providers. Videos provided by other parties comply with the Web Guidelines by the following working day at the latest.
  • Schedule
    Government.nl is constantly working to ensure videos are accessible for everyone. Regular providers have been obliged to deliver videos conforming to the Web Guidelines since mid-2014.

Old content

  • Specification
    All files, such as old news reports, that are no longer up to date.
  • Cause
    Some old content must be available in the website’s archives. But Government.nl will not accept old documents retroactively, because this would take too much time and money.
  • Result
    The repercussions of this decision are minimal, because all current information is accessible.
  • Alternatives
    Government.nl offers the current versions of files on the website when they are available.
  • Measures
    To limit the number of less accessible documents, Government.nl imposes strict requirements on new documents. If you want to use content that is not accessible, please contact the Central Government Information Line.
  • Schedule
    Government.nl is constantly developing and improving its accessibility and related processes.