Canada Releases Accessibility Standard For Artificial Intelligence

Accessibility Standards Canada has published the first edition of the National Standard of Canada CAN-ASC-6.2:2025, Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems. The standard sets a process-and-outcomes framework to ensure AI systems are accessible and equitable for people with disabilities across the AI lifecycle, and it is notable for the breadth and specificity of organizational obligations it places on entities that develop, procure, deploy, and oversee AI systems. Although voluntary (i.e. not legally enforceable by any authority in Canada), the standard can be used for conformity assessment and may quickly become a market baseline, particularly for federally regulated entities and organizations selling into Canadian public and private sectors. As such, it is important that companies (both within and without Canada) are aware of this standard.