The Israel Standard (IS) 5568 is one of the most enforced web accessibility laws in the world. It mandates all companies that operate in Israel to maintain accessible websites or face stiff penalties.
This article provides a concise overview of IS 5568 – what it entails, who it applies to, and the consequences of non-compliance.
What is the IS 5568?
IS 5568 is the law that governs web accessibility in Israel. A version of this law was scheduled to be implemented in 2015. However, it was delayed for two years before it finally came into effect in 2017. It contains Israel’s website accessibility law requirements
IS 5568 is based on the Equal Rights For Persons With Disabilities (ERPD) Act of 1998. The Act made it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities in public places, public services, products, and employment.
It aims to protect the dignity and freedoms of people with disabilities and provide them with opportunities to fully and actively participate in society.
Accordingly, the ERPD covers people with temporary or permanent mental, intellectual, physical, or cognitive impairment.
How did IS 5568 come into effect?
In August 2000, the Commission for Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CERPD) was established to enforce the ERPD. It began evaluating potential accessibility guidelines for sectors in both the private and government sectors straight away.
The Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (ERPD) applies to websites in Israel like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) acts in the United States. However, unlike the ADA, the Israeli government did not specify standards for web accessibility when enacting the law.
Then in 2012, the Israeli government ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that mandated that member nations provide people with disabilities with equal access to information and communication technology.
This quest to ensure technological accessibility for all eventually led to the creation of IS 5568. That is why the guidelines in the IS 5568 are similar to those in the international web accessibility standard, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0.
Who is affected by IS 5568?
These are the key points to note about IS 5568 compliance:
- The law applies to all services provided by both private and public (government) institutions.
- All medium and large companies established after 2017 with average annual revenue of NIS 300,000 or more must become compliant immediately.
- Small businesses with an average annual income of under NIS 300,000 must become compliant by October 2020.
- Only private contractors with an average income of NIS 100,000 New Shekels (NS) or less are exempt from complying with IS 5568.
What are the most common IS 5568 violations?
IS 5568 requires digital content to meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA. Despite this, many websites still fall short, and certain recurring issues are major drivers of IS 5568 non-conformance.
- Low Color Contrast
Low contrast text is the most common violation. WCAG 1.4.3 requires a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Insufficient contrast makes content difficult or impossible to read for users with low vision or color blindness. Many websites fail this requirement because design choices prioritize aesthetics over readability.
- Missing Alternative Text
Another widespread issue is missing alt text for images. WCAG 1.1.1 requires text alternatives so screen readers can convey the meaning of images to users who cannot see them. Without meaningful alt text, important information is lost, leaving users with either silence or confusing file names instead of context.
- Improper or Missing Form Labels
Forms often fail accessibility checks because input fields lack clear, programmatically associated labels. WCAG 3.3.2 requires every form field to have a proper label so assistive technologies can communicate its purpose. Missing or incorrect labels make forms difficult or impossible to complete for many users.
- Empty Links and Buttons
Links or buttons with no accessible name or context are another common problem. Users relying on screen readers or keyboard navigation cannot understand their purpose, which reduces usability and creates confusion.
Because IS 5568 is grounded in WCAG, these issues are strong predictors of non-compliance. Addressing them typically delivers significant improvements in accessibility, user experience, and legal readiness.
However, this list only highlights some of the most common barriers. Executing a thorough accessibility audit is the only way to understand whether your website is accessible. Combining automated testing with hands-on manual checks is the most reliable way to identify and fix issues that automated tools alone might miss.
What is the penalty for non-compliance with IS 5568?
As earlier stated, IS 5568 takes its roots from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), like many other countries’ accessibility regulations. However, Israel imposes harsher sanctions for non-compliance than most countries.
In many countries, if someone is sued because their website is inaccessible, the court can only order the website owner to make the necessary adjustments to their website.
With IS 5568, on the other hand, the court allows the complainant to seek statutory damages of up to 50,000 NIS. The complainant could be a person with a disability or an organisation that represents a group of people with disabilities.
It is also interesting to note that the complainant is not required to prove that the non-accessible site caused them any loss or injury. They only need to show that the site is not compliant with IS 5568.
How do you comply with IS 5568
While IS 5568 is built on WCAG 2.0, the guidelines have continued to evolve. WCAG 2.1 is now widely adopted, and WCAG 2.2 is expected to be published soon. Even if legal requirements reference an older version, aligning your website with the latest WCAG standards ensures better accessibility and a more inclusive user experience.
To achieve compliance, start with a thorough accessibility audit. Automated tools can quickly identify common barriers, from low contrast text to missing form labels, giving you a clear roadmap for improvement.
But automated scans only catch part of the picture. Manual testing, such as navigating your site with a screen reader or keyboard, helps uncover issues that tools can miss, ensuring real-world usability for all users.
Equally AI offers an accessibility widget that combines both automated scans and manual testing to ensure all-around compliance and provide actionable recommendations to fix violations and track progress over time.
Taking these steps not only supports IS 5568 compliance but also strengthens your site’s overall usability, inclusivity, and legal readiness.
Closing Thoughts
Israel’s IS 5568 shares many similarities with the international web accessibility standards, WCAG 2.0. Therefore, a business that complies with WCAG 2.0 standards automatically complies with IS 5568.
Besides being a legal requirement, web accessibility has several business advantages. It helps retain more visitors, boosts search engine rankings, and provides an overall better experience for all users.
Ultimately, all Israel-based businesses with an online presence, both in the private and public sectors, have strong incentives to ensure their websites remain accessible.
