A landmark collaboration between leading bodies in the physical activity sector has been announced, with a shared mission to enhance industry standards. This collaboration marks the development of The Active Standard (TAS), set to launch later this year.
ukactive, in partnership with Sport England, Right Directions (Quest), The Royal Netherlands Standardisation Institute (NEN) and EuropeActive (FITcert Scheme), has been actively engaged in the development of The Active Standard. The initiative aims to establish a comprehensive framework supporting operators in the public and private sectors to improve standards across the industry.
The Active Standard will be open to all ukactive operator members, whether from the private or public sector, or free of charge as part of their membership. It has undergone extensive testing through a pilot scheme with representative operators from across the sector, supported by Right Directions.
In alignment with existing sector standards schemes, the partners have committed to supporting The Active Standard, encouraging more organisations across the UK to embark on their continuous improvement journey.
Quest, a continuous improvement tool for leisure facilities and sports development teams, supported by Sport England and other key organisations, has been instrumental in measuring the effectiveness of organisations in providing customer service and delivering operational excellence.
The European FITcert Scheme, comprising four levels, enables fitness centres across Europe to demonstrate compliance with the European CEN standard. The partnership between EuropeActive and NEN ensures quality management and independent inspection bodies for certification.
By sharing expertise and resources, the partners aim to establish a stronger ecosystem of industry standards catering to organisations of all sizes and types. While maintaining their unique positions in the market, Quest, FITcert and The Active Standard offer complementary pathways for accreditation and improvement.
Member operators achieving Quest or FITcert accreditation will automatically achieve The Active Standard accreditation. TAS will serve as a baseline accreditation for ukactive members, supporting operators and suppliers in demonstrating effective compliance with laws, regulations and other requirements.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, emphasised the importance of this collaboration in raising standards of health, safety and inclusion in the sector. ‘Consumer demand for our sector’s services is growing across the UK and Europe as more people prioritise physical activity for their health and wellbeing.
‘At the same time, our sector is determined to raise standards of health and safety, and inclusion, so that we can continue to grow and meet the needs of every community.
‘We are therefore delighted to bring together our partners, Sport England, EuropeActive, Right Directions and NEN, to ensure the full alignment of The Active Standard with existing sector standards to support all operators to improve consumer trust and confidence.
‘Through this collaboration we can shape a brighter future for the sector by empowering operators in their pursuit of excellence.’
ww.questaward.org
www.fitcert.eu
