IAAP SEBI Compliance for SEBI Regulated Entities

There is often confusion regarding the term "IAAP" in the context of SEBI compliance because it refers to two distinct concepts in the Indian securities market: Digital Accessibility and Investment Adviser Administration.

1. Digital Accessibility Compliance (The "IAAP" Auditor)

Currently, "IAAP" most commonly refers to the International Association of Accessibility Professionals. Under SEBI’s 2025 digital accessibility mandate, all SEBI-regulated entities (REs) must ensure their digital platforms (websites, apps, portals) are accessible to persons with disabilities.

• The Mandate: Regulated entities must conduct comprehensive accessibility audits of their digital platforms to comply with standards like WCAG 2.1, GIGW, and IS 17802.
• The "IAAP" Requirement: SEBI mandates that these accessibility audits must be conducted by professionals or firms certified by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP).

2. Investment Adviser Administration & Supervision (IAASB)

If you are an Investment Adviser (IA), you may have encountered the term "IAASB" (Investment Adviser Administration and Supervisory Body), which is sometimes confused with "IAAP."

SEBI has appointed BSE Administration & Supervision Ltd. (BASL) as the designated supervisory body for Investment Advisers. All Investment Advisers must be members of BASL, which oversees registration, supervision, and ongoing compliance.