Standards can be withdrawn without clear rules, public consultation, or timely communication. Decisions may focus mainly on technical reasons, without considering social impact or the needs of affected communities.
Without a transparent and inclusive process, standards may be removed too soon, kept for too long, or withdrawn without people knowing. This can reduce transparency, accountability, and trust in the standards system - especially for people whose rights or access depend on those standards. It can also cause confusion, mistakes, or harm.
Common problems include:
No clear or transparent criteria for deciding when a standard is outdated
Little or no consultation with affected communities, including D/deaf and D/disabled communities
Decisions focused only on technical details, not real-life impact
Important protections or accessibility guidance being removed
No clear public notice that a standard is being withdrawn
People continuing to use an outdated standard without knowing
Policies or contracts still referring to a withdrawn standard
No clear information about what replaces the standard
Ways to address the barrier
Co-develop criteria for withdrawal
Create an opportunity for public feedback before withdrawal
Offer opportunities to request revisions rather than removal
Use clear, accessible, and open language in withdrawal notices
People and organizations often rely on a standard for accessibility, buying decisions, or designing services. When it is removed, they may not know what to do next. Without guidance, it can be hard to adjust, which can cause confusion and weaken protections.
Common problems include:
No clear guidance on what replaces the withdrawn standard
Confusion about how to stay compliant with laws or policies
Difficulty updating internal rules, contracts, or procedures
Loss of a reference for accessibility or human rights protections
No advice on how to request or advocate for a new or updated standard
Ways to address the barrier
Provide transition guidance when withdrawing a standard
Use clear, accessible, and open language in withdrawal notices