Interview with Gautier Chomel, accessibility expert
In early 2026, the Standards & Norms working group of the SNE’s Digital Commission and EDRLab launched Qualebook — a quality reference framework for digital books. Gautier Chomel, accessibility expert and member of the working group, explains how it came together.
Where did the idea come from?
In digital publishing, there is no training that really addresses the level of expertise professionals need. Many of us have turned to web training, since we use the same underlying technologies — but web frameworks have to be reinterpreted for publishing realities. One stood out for its clarity and organisation: Opquast, the web quality framework. Several of us felt that digital books deserved an equivalent.
Opquast is built on an openly licensed quality reference list, and after talking with its founder, Elie Sloïm, it became clear we could use that as a starting point. The SNE’s Standards & Norms group quickly saw the potential and committed to the project. Over three years, we consulted professionals across the industry to build a reference list that we’re confident is solid.
What does Qualebook cover?
Qualebook is a reference list of 88 rules, organised around ten areas: rights management, identification, images and media, internationalisation, links, formatting, performance, backward compatibility, structure, and code.
Together, these rules address the core competencies of digital publishing: accessibility, reliability, discoverability, interoperability, legality, readability, usability, and ecodesign — across every stage of the editorial chain, from project conception through digital production to distribution and dissemination.
Each rule includes a plain-language explanation, objectives, implementation guidance, validation methods, and links to relevant standards. The result is a resource that works at multiple levels, from a general introduction to in-depth expertise.
Who is it for?
Anyone involved in a digital publishing project — from the conception of a book to its availability for sale or lending. Qualebook is grounded in real-world practice and is designed to equip both working professionals and those in training with the essential concepts and pathways to go further.
It is also a practical resource for trainers building curricula rooted in the day-to-day realities of the industry.
This article is adapted from an interview originally published by the Syndicat national de l’édition (SNE) on 29 May 2026.
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