Ensure lists are structured with semantic HTML

Accessibility isn’t only about avoiding violations — it’s about ensuring your product can be used confidently by everyone. This guide explains the principle of this rule, shows what goes wrong in real-world code, and provides a verified fix that meets WCAG and the European Accessibility Act (EAA).

Why this matters and how to fix it

Why this matters

Lists must use <ul>, <ol>, and <li> elements so assistive technologies can announce list lengths and items properly.

How to fix this issue

Wrap related items in a list and ensure each item is an <li>. Do not use <div> or <p> elements for list structures.

Automated detection · Manual review recommended

Developer guidance

Avoid extra markup between <ul> and <li>. Screen readers expect direct list-item relationships.


Code examples

Incorrect Implementation

<div>• Item 1</div><div>• Item 2</div>

Correct Implementation

<ul><li>Item 1</li><li>Item 2</li></ul>
eu icon getwcag

Trusted by organizations across Europe working toward WCAG and EAA conformance