A VPAT is a blank template. An ACR is the completed document that results from filling out that template after an accessibility evaluation. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different things, and understanding the distinction matters when budgeting for procurement documentation.
| Key Point | What It Means |
|---|---|
| VPAT | Voluntary Product Accessibility Template, a standardized blank form created by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIc) |
| ACR | Accessibility Conformance Report, the finished document produced when an evaluator completes a VPAT for a specific product |
| Who Requests Them | Procurement teams, government agencies, and enterprise buyers evaluating software purchases |
| Cost Range | ACR issuance typically costs 300 dollars to 1,000 dollars, plus the cost of the underlying audit |
The VPAT Is the Template
The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a document format published by ITIc. It provides a structured table where each row corresponds to a specific accessibility criterion from one or more standards.
There are four VPAT editions: WCAG, Section 508, EN 301 549, and INT (which combines all three). The WCAG edition is the most common for SaaS companies selling to private and public sector buyers.
On its own, a VPAT contains no product-specific information. It is a blank framework waiting to be filled in.
The ACR Is the Finished Report
An Accessibility Conformance Report is what you get when an accessibility professional evaluates a product and documents the results in the VPAT format. Each criterion receives a conformance level (Supports, Partially Supports, Does Not Support, or Not Applicable) along with remarks explaining the current state.
The ACR is the document buyers actually read. When a procurement team asks for “a VPAT,” they are almost always asking for a completed ACR.
Why the Distinction Affects Cost
The cost of producing an ACR includes two components: the audit itself and the document creation.
Most accessibility audits start at 1,000 dollars and range to 3,000 dollars depending on the size and complexity of the product. ACR issuance adds 300 dollars to 1,000 dollars on top of the audit cost, varying by which VPAT edition is required.
A WCAG edition ACR is the least expensive to produce. Section 508 and EN 301 549 editions cost more because they cover additional criteria. The INT edition, which addresses all three standards in a single document, carries the highest documentation cost.
Do ACRs Expire?
ACRs do not have a formal expiration date. However, an ACR reflects the state of a product at the time of evaluation. Significant product updates, redesigns, or new feature releases can make an existing ACR outdated.
Most organizations update their ACR after major releases or on an annual cycle to keep the document relevant for procurement conversations.
Which One Do Buyers Actually Want?
Buyers want the ACR. The request may arrive phrased as “send us your VPAT,” but the expectation is a completed conformance report for the specific product under consideration. An empty VPAT template provides no useful procurement information.
Knowing the difference between the template and the report helps organizations budget accurately and respond to procurement requests with the right deliverable.