PDF/UA-1 · CLAUSE 7.1

Custom tag types are not mapped correctly

The document uses non-standard structure types that are not mapped to standard PDF types, map in a circle, or remap standard types to something else.

Rule 7.1-5 ISO 14289-1 Object: SENonStandard

Why it matters

Assistive technology cannot interpret unknown tag names. A custom tag such as 'BodyText' means nothing unless it maps to P.

How to fix it

  • Edit the role map in the structure tree root so every custom type resolves to a standard type such as P, H1, Table, or L.
  • Remove any mapping that redefines a standard type (for example mapping H1 to P).
  • Prefer standard tags in the authoring tool so the role map stays small.
WCAG 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (A)

What the standard says

All non-standard structure types shall be mapped to the nearest functionally equivalent standard type, as defined in ISO 32000-1:2008, 14.8.4, in the role map dictionary of the structure tree root. This mapping may be indirect; within the role map a non-standard type can map directly to another non-standard type, but eventually the mapping shall terminate at a standard type

Check your own PDF

Validate a file against PDF/UA-1 and see whether this rule fails in your document.

curl -sS -X POST "https://api.ua1.dev/api/validate?format=compact&profile=ua1" \
  -F "file=@document.pdf"