A VPAT is a blank template. An ACR is the completed document filled in with conformance information about a specific product. The VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) provides the standardized structure. The ACR (Accessibility Conformance Report) is what the buyer actually receives once the template has been completed.
People often use the two terms interchangeably, but the distinction matters in procurement. When a buyer requests a VPAT, they are really asking for an ACR, the filled-in version that documents how a product conforms to WCAG, Section 508, or EN 301 549.
How the Two Documents Relate
The VPAT is published by ITI and comes in four editions: WCAG, Section 508, EN 301 549, and INT. The vendor selects the edition that matches the buyer’s requirements, then completes it by documenting product conformance against each success criterion. Once completed, signed, and dated, the document becomes an ACR.
Most SaaS companies use the WCAG edition for North American buyers.