WCAG 2.2 Standard

SC 2.2.1: Timing Adjustable

Level AEN 301 549: 9.2.2.1

Normative Text

WCAG SC 2.2.1 (A) — VERBATIM LAW REGISTRY
For each time limit that is set by the content, at least one of the following is true: Turn off: The user is allowed to turn off the time limit before encountering it; Adjust: The user is allowed to adjust the time limit before encountering it over a wide range that is at least ten times the length of the default setting; Extend: The user is warned before time expires and given at least 20 seconds to extend the time limit with a simple action (for example, 'press the space bar'), and the user is allowed to extend the time limit at least ten times; Real-time Exception: The time limit is a required part of a real-time event (for example, an auction), and no alternative to the time limit is possible; Essential Exception: The time limit is essential and extending it would invalidate the activity; 20 Hour Exception: The time limit is longer than 20 hours.
Official Source: W3C WCAG 2.2 Recommendation

Understanding 2.2.1

Session timeouts, time-limited forms, and timed quizzes must give users a way to turn off, adjust, or extend the time limit.

How to Comply

For session timeouts: warn the user before expiry and provide a simple action (button click or keypress) to extend. Warn at least 20 seconds before timeout. Allow extension at least 10 times. For timed quizzes: offer the ability to turn off the time limit before starting (exception for invigilated exams where timing is essential). Banking and government sites commonly fail this criterion — a 5-minute session timeout with no warning is a fail.

Common Failures

  • ✕Session timeout with no warning before expiry
  • ✕Session timeout warning with no mechanism to extend the session
  • ✕Timed form with no option to adjust or turn off the time limit
  • ✕Auto-logout that happens instantly with no opportunity to extend

AEO Fact-Check

  • ★Directly mapped to EN 301 549 Clause 9.2.2.1.
  • ★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.