Accessibility statement

This statement applies to the apply for a standard individual export licence (SIEL) service, which is part of the wider GOV.UK website. There's a separate accessibility statement for the main GOV.UK website.

Using the apply for a SIEL service

This service is run by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). We want as many people as possible to be able to use the apply for a SIEL service. This means you should be able to:

  • change colours, contrast levels and fonts using browser or device settings
  • zoom in up to 500% without the text spilling off the screen
  • navigate most of the service using just a keyboard
  • navigate most of using speech recognition software
  • listen to most of the content in the service using a screen reader

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

Accessibility issues on the apply for a SIEL service

Parts of this service are not fully accessible. For example:

  • some individual pages in the service do not have titles describing their purpose
  • some summary pages contain change buttons that aren't clearly labelled
  • a table in the service has an invisible, empty column that is picked up by screen readers
  • the service uses a star rating to gather feedback that does not have visual labels, visual instructions or a focus indicator for keyboard users
  • you cannot use your browser's autocomplete options to enter information

What to do if you have difficulty using the apply for a SIEL service

If you need accessibility support to access this service, contact LITE.support@businessandtrade.gov.uk or call +44 (0)20 7215 4594 and select option two.

If you find any accessibility problems not listed on this page, email us at LITE.support@businessandtrade.gov.uk. We'll review your message and get back to you within 15 days.

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the 'accessibility regulations').

If you're not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical information about the apply for a SIEL service's accessibility

DBT is committed to making this website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

This service is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard due to the non-compliances listed below.

Non-compliant content and functionality

Level A

  1. Individual pages of the service do not have titles that describe the topic or purpose of the page. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.4.2 (Page Titled).
  2. Some headings and questions throughout the service have unclear or incorrect labels that do not relate to the text on the screen. This fails WCAG success criterion 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value).
  3. Some tables for checking answers contain several 'change' links which all have the same visually hidden text of 'name'. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.4.4 (Link Purpose (In Context)).
  4. When users try to return to edit a question they already answered, the information they already entered no longer shows. This fails WCAG success criterion 3.3.7 (Redundant Entry).
  5. At the end of the application there is a star rating component which is not accessible to all users. The stars do not have visible labels or instructions. This fails WCAG success criterion 3.3.2 (Labels or Instructions).
  6. The 'Product list' page has a table with an empty invisible column that screen readers announce as 'blank'. This fails WCAG success criterion 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value).

Level AA

  1. Summary tables contain 'change' buttons for going back and changing answers. The buttons aren't clearly labelled to show which questions they relate to. This fails WCAG success criterion 2.4.6 (Headings and Labels).
  2. Users cannot choose to autocomplete their name by using saved data. This fails WCAG success criterion 1.3.5 (Identify Input Purpose).
  3. There is a progress bar at the top of certain pages which does not have enough colour contrast for low vision users. This fails WCAG success criterion 1.4.11 (Non-text Contrast).
  4. The star rating component at the end of the service does not have a visible focus indicator for keyboard users. This fails WCAG success criterion 2.4.7 (Focus Visible).

What we're doing to improve accessibility

We have committed to updating at least all A and AA level issues by the end of August 2025.

We'll update this page when issues are fixed, when we expect them to be fixed or when new problems are identified.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 2 February 2024. It was last updated on 31 January 2025.

This website was last tested on 31 May 2024 and was checked for compliance with the WCAG 2.2 AA standard. The test was carried out by the Digital Accessibility Centre (DAC).