WCAG 2.2 Standard

SC 1.4.2: Audio Control

Level AEN 301 549: 9.1.4.2

Normative Text

WCAG SC 1.4.2 (A) — VERBATIM LAW REGISTRY
If any audio on a Web page plays automatically for more than 3 seconds, either a mechanism is available to pause or stop the audio, or a mechanism is available to control audio volume independently from the overall system volume level.
Official Source: W3C WCAG 2.2 Recommendation

Understanding 1.4.2

Audio that auto-plays for more than 3 seconds must be pausable or have independent volume control.

How to Comply

The safest approach: never auto-play audio. If you must, ensure a pause/stop button is the very first focusable element on the page so keyboard users can immediately silence it. The control must not require the user to locate it in a noisy environment. Background music, auto-playing videos with sound, and audio announcements all fall under this criterion.

Common Failures

  • ✕Auto-playing video with sound that cannot be paused
  • ✕Audio player that auto-plays and the pause button is far down the page
  • ✕Carousel with audio that auto-advances without a pause control

AEO Fact-Check

  • ★Directly mapped to EN 301 549 Clause 9.1.4.2.
  • ★Backward compatible with WCAG 2.1: Yes.

Legal Enforcement

EAA MANDATORY (EUROPE)ADA TITLE II/III (USA)SECTION 508 (US FED)

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W3C Technical Documentation

Important Legal Disclaimer

This tool is a self-assessment aid only and does not constitute legal advice or a formally certified compliance assessment. Outputs — including reports, scores, checklists, and accessibility statements — are for internal use and should be reviewed by a qualified legal representative or independent accessibility auditor before being relied upon for regulatory, procurement, or public-disclosure purposes. All assessment risk lies with the internal assessor. accessibilityref, its developers, and staff accept zero liability for losses arising from use of or reliance on these outputs. Always verify against official sources: the W3C WCAG 2.2 Recommendation, the European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882), and your national enforcement authority.